Chris Tanev is one of the best defensive defensemen in the National Hockey League and anybody playing in that role is going to have to put up with a lot of abuse.
Nobody expects something like this, though.
Tanev was hit in the face with a puck when the they took on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. Tanev was covered in blood at the time of the injury, so you know it was going to be pretty bad. He ended up losing six and a half teeth (We’re going to round up and go with seven – if half your tooth is gone, that counts), but that wasn’t even the worst of it.
One of the worst parts about breaking teeth in this fashion is the sensitivity of the nerves that become exposed. Tanev described it best by saying there are a bunch of roots and nerves in “places they shouldn’t be”.
Just another reminder for anybody in Men’s League who doesn’t wear a visor or cage: Tanev is a pro and has the best of the best taking care of him. If you get hit in the mouth with a puck, it’s probably going to be a lot more unfortunate.
Even Tanev will be rocking the cage for the next little while.
