The Toronto Maple Leafs may soon make a decision regarding the future of defenceman Jani Hakanpaa, though the specifics remain unclear. This uncertainty was hinted at by Leafs general manager Brad Treliving during a recent event where Auston Matthews was announced as the new team captain. When asked about Hakanpaa’s status, Treliving simply stated that the matter is being “worked through” and that more information will be shared in due course.
Initially, reports indicated that the Leafs intended to sign the 32-year-old Hakanpaa to a two-year contract during the early days of the free agency period. However, a report by Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun has cast doubt on this plan. According to Simmons, Hakanpaa’s knee injury, which he sustained in March while playing for the Dallas Stars, might jeopardize his future in the NHL. Since this report, the Maple Leafs have not provided any further updates on Hakanpaa’s situation.
If Hakanpaa is cleared to play, he could be a valuable addition to the Leafs’ defensive lineup, particularly in penalty-killing situations. However, at this point, nothing is certain, and the team’s plans remain in flux. Hakanpaa’s career has spanned 288 NHL games with teams like Dallas, Carolina, and Anaheim, during which he has accumulated 45 points and 173 penalty minutes. Additionally, he has participated in 33 playoff games.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Treliving has already strengthened the Leafs’ defense by signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He also brought in Dakota Mermis and Philippe Myers to add depth to the team’s roster. On the goaltending side, Anthony Stolarz has been signed, with hopes that he will form a strong duo with Joseph Woll.
Leafs winger Mitch Marner expressed his excitement about the new additions, highlighting their potential to make significant contributions to the team’s success. Marner noted that Tanev, Ekman-Larsson, and Stolarz have shown enthusiasm about joining the Leafs, which bodes well for the season ahead.
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