An Update on Jani Hakanpaa, a Potential UFA Signee for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

An Update on Jani Hakanpaa, a Potential UFA Signee for the Toronto Maple Leafs

When free agency began on July 1st, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving made reshaping the Leafs blueline his top objective this summer. Apart from Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the Leafs have also acquired defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, who is 6’6″ and 220 pounds.

On July 1st, Hakanpaa was reportedly signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs to a two-year contract worth $1.5 million per season. However, due to Hakanpaa’s knee ailment, the agreement has not yet been formally signed.

Chris Johnston of the Athletic reports that Hakanpaa suffered a serious knee injury in Dallas towards the end of the previous season. Hakanpaa thinks he can play on his knee, but the Leafs are unsure, which appears to be the issue. Those who have examined the medical file understand that the knee is bone on bone, which is an uncomfortable condition.

Johnston notes that certain athletes are able to play despite certain things while others are not able to due to medical difficulties. Since each person is unique, subjective elements like pain tolerance exist. He makes the observation that while X-rays are always black and white, there are instances when the information they display isn’t.

The Story of Jani Hakanpaa and the Toronto Maple Leafs Goes On
The Johnston article was released a few days after Treliving updated the press conference with Auston Matthews’s captaincy reveal regarding Hakanpaa’s joining the team. At the time, Treliving stated that the team was working through it and that he hoped to find a resolution as soon as possible.
It is important to remember that Hakanpaa is only a depth signing. As the team’s seventh defenseman, he will face off against Conor Timmins for a position on the Maple Leafs’ blue line. But if he doesn’t sign with the Leafs, I believe there’s a decent chance defenseman Topi Niemela of the Toronto Marlies would push for a slot.
Hakanpaa finished the previous season with 12 points for the Dallas Stars in 64 games with two goals and ten assists. His 3:16 minute average on the penalty kill, which was the second-highest total for the Stars, came in at eighteen minutes per game on average. In addition, the big man blocked 123 shots and recorded 196 hits. Hakanpaa can benefit the Maple Leafs, particularly on the penalty kill, if he is well.
(Hockey-reference.com provided all statistics.)

The Leafs are $1.28 million under the NHL salary cap, per puckpedia.com. It is said that the Hakanpaa contract is worth $1.5 million AAV. In order to have Hakanpaa on the roster before the season begins, the Maple Leafs will need to make at least one change.