The Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild held optional skates at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

With Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Alex Pietrangelo bowing out of the 4 Nations Face-Off, Team Canada is suddenly looking for another right-shot rearguard who can soak up some tough minutes. The Leafs believe Chris Tanev is the right man for the job.

"He'd be a great fit," said head coach Craig Berube, who won a Stanley Cup with Pietrangelo in St. Louis. "Looking at their lineup and what Tanny brings, Pietro brings a lot of it, too, with the penalty killing and shutdown stuff. That is Tanny's baby. He is very good at both of those things. He would probably be a good fit for them."

Tanev is in contention, per TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun. But Team Canada is also watching to see how Olympic champion Drew Doughty looks as he returns to the Los Angeles Kings lineup. Doughty has been sidelined since suffering a fractured ankle in September, but will make his season debut on Wednesday.

If Doughty struggles to get up to speed, the door may be open for Tanev to play for Team Canada for the second time and first time since the 2016 World Championship.

"The way he plays defensively and, you know, PK-ing, blocking shots, adds a lot of value, [and] I think sometimes goes under appreciated," said Leafs winger William Nylander, who will play for Team Sweden next month. "What he does every night is just incredible."

Tanev is third in the NHL in blocked shots. He often starts shifts in his own end and is regularly matched against the best players on the other side. Despite that, he still leads the Leafs at plus-18.

"He's a huge part in us winning games," said winger Bobby McMann. "Blocking shots, good sticks, always being in front of their guys, and then making that great first pass. I think that's always overlooked as a huge skill in this league."

The 35-year-old blueliner is a big reason why the Leafs have survived a rash of injuries to lead the Atlantic Division through 50 games. The Toronto native is providing........

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