An Update on Potential Toronto Maple Leafs UFA Signing Jani Hakanpaa
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving's top priority this summer was to reshape the Leafs blueline when free agency started on July 1st. In addition to Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the Leafs also signed 6'6, 220 Lbs. defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.
The Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly signed Hakanpaa to a two-year contract worth $1.5M a season on July 1st. However, the deal has yet to be signed officially because Hakanpaa has a knee injury.
According to Chris Johnston from the Athletic, Hakanpaa finished last season with a significant knee injury in Dallas. The problem seems to be that Hakanpaa believes he can play on his knee, but the Leafs are not so sure. The understanding from those who have looked at the medical file is that the knee is bone on bone, which is a condition that cannot be comfortable.
Johnston points out that with some medical-related issues, some players can play through certain things that others cannot. Everybody is different, and things like pain tolerance are subjective factors. He points out that although the X-rays themselves are black and white, sometimes what they show us (the information) isn’t black and white.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Saga with Jani Hakanpaa Continues
The report from Johnston comes a few days after Treliving talked about the latest on Hakanpaa joining the team at the press conference for Auston Matthews's captaincy reveal. At the time, Treliving confirmed he hoped to have a resolution sooner than later and that the team was working through it.
Hakanpaa should not be viewed as anything other than a depth signing. If he joins the Maple Leafs, he will compete for a spot on their blue line with Conor Timmins as the team’s seventh defenceman. However, if he doesn't join the Leafs, I think there is a good chance that Toronto Marlies defenseman Topi Niemela could challenge for a spot.
For the Dallas Stars last season, Hakanpaa registered two goals and ten assists for 12 points in 64 games. He averaged 18 minutes a game while averaging 3:16 minutes on the penalty kill, which ranked second-highest total for the Stars. The big man also registered 196 hits and blocked 123 shots. If Hakanpaa is healthy, he can help the Maple Leafs, especially on the penalty kill.
(All stats from hockey-reference.com)
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According to puckpedia.com, the Leafs have $1.28 million under the NHL salary cap. The Hakanpaa contract is reportedly $1.5 million AAV. So, the Maple Leafs will need to make at least one move to fit Hakanpaa on the roster before the season starts.