Maple Leafs Get Huge Return Ahead Of Clash Against Canucks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to get some big help back in their lineup and it comes at a time when the team could really use it.

According to multiple reports on Saturday, the Maple Leafs have activated veteran defenseman Chris Tanev in anticipation of tonight's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, Tanev's former team.

It's big news for a Maple Leafs team that has struggled to stay afloat in the National Hockey League's ultra competitive Atlantic Division, and it comes when the Maple Leafs have rattled off two straight losses. Tanev last appeared for the Leafs all the way back on the 10th of October during a game against the Colorado Avalanche, a 6-3 win for the Maple Leafs. Tanev was limited to just a little over 3 minutes in that game before leaving due to injury however.

The Canadiens took a significantly risk when they signed Tanev to a long term deal, a 6 year contract at an average annual value and cap hit of $4.5 million per season, and thus far Tanev has only appeared in 92 games for the Leafs now in his third season of that deal.