First up, some more IIHF politics, as another country decides to restrict visas to Russians. Not just athletes, but that's what will get the attention.

Finland to restrict entry to Russian athletes ahead of winter sports events
Finland says it will restrict entry to the country for Russian athletes because of the war in Ukraine, potentially affecting a raft of winter sports.
TSNThe Associated Press

This move, upping the ante from what Canada has done so far, comes under pressure over the situation with hockey, but also with the silence of governments on these issues.

The effects will likely be seen first in other sports, with figure skating taking point on making the "punishing athletes" argument. However, the 2028 WJC is in Finland, so it's not a non-issue for the IIHF.

With Chris Tanev now held out of two games as some form of load management, often referred to as maintenance, the question in many minds is this: what are they maintaining?

I took a look at the Evolving Hockey RAPM values for his career, which now include this season, and the bottom line is: Tanev's first season in Toronto was very good, and his recent two seasons of a very few games each are two of his worst. This season is the absolute worst.

It is his defence that has been bad. He had one season in Vancouver, the Covid-shortened 2o19-2020 season, that was worse defensively, but that's it. Ten games played is not something you can predict the future with, and last year's bad defensive set of games was only 11, but this model gives an accurate description of his impact – all negative.

There are two big problems the Leafs are facing so far this season, and no, it isn't actually William Nylander's issues. It's Tanev and John Tavares. Tavares has been worse than Tanev by most measures, and alarmingly, his return from injury has seen him making the same kinds of mistakes with the puck that Gavin McKenna is in the process of growing out of. The door is open here for him to put his game back together and start being better than Nick Paul, but so far he isn't (last night was a little smoother, if ultimately unsuccessful). Tanev is a more alarming issue.

If Tanev can't handle the load of an NHL season, can he handle it at all? That's my question.

- TSN
TSN's Hockey Insiders have the latest on Chris Tanev's load management plan and the Leafs looking to upgrade the blueline, the Wild and Quinn Hughes, Matvei Michkov speculation fueling more outside interest, the Hurrricanes' interest in in Erik Karlsson, and the Ducks and Joel Quenneville discussing a contract extension.
TSN

As for last night in the larger view, some of the things Justin Bourne has been discussing about the Leafs actually improving were there to be seen – what's that line about none so blind – anyhow, the problems were there to be seen too, and he covered that very well last night too.

I've seen a lot of people, in the media, in our comments, other places, talking about Sergei Bobrovsky in terms of allowing three goals per game. The stupidest stat, stupider than plus/minus is GAA. The magic incantation, "I know it's not the be-all and end-all, but," is not a free pass to use them and not be participating in the stupid. So this is me participating in the stupid:

Anthony Stolarz is catching up quick, I tell you what.

Those are my thoughts on last night. Other than the part where I enjoyed Zack MacEwen.

But it's Friday, you can decide to spend it marinating in bile or not. Either way, the Leafs play the Oilers on Saturday.

From The Branches