Several hockey sources recently reported that defenceman Jani Hakanpaa had signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Even the soon-to-be extinct CapFriendly lists Hakanpaa on the Leafs’ roster. However, suspicions over the legitimacy of this deal have emerged as a result of Hakanpaa’s catastrophic knee injury earlier this year.
Not only is it unclear whether Hakanpaa has been formally signed, but Mark Masters of TSN raised these concerns during an appearance on SC with Jay Onrait, citing the lack of confirmation surrounding Hakanpaa’s status with the Leafs. If the hulking d-man is a member of the Leafs’ organization, it raises concerns about the team’s free agency decisions.
Is Hakanpaa coming to Toronto or not?
Maple Leafs fans were overjoyed when Hakanpaa, a big-bodied defenceman noted for his aggressive presence, was added to the roster. Hakinpaa was a key piece of GM Brad Treliving’s plan to remodel the blue line, which included adding Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and making it more difficult to play against.
However, concerns have grown about Hakanpaa’s availability for the following season.
Masters highlighted their worries, stating that they requested an interview with the defensemen but were advised to wait because the team hadn’t made the contract official yet. The lack of confirmation on Hakanpaa’s signing underlines the seriousness of a knee ailment, and the Leafs are gathering additional information to assure the player is ready to go. Masters noted that Hakanpaa had not played since mid-March, missing the playoffs with the Dallas Stars. This raises serious questions about his fitness.
“If he is able to play, and they make that signing official, he’ll help a penalty kill that was 23rd overall last season and really killed them early in that playoff series against Boston,” Masters told ESPN. The Maple Leafs’ penalty kill was a major flaw last season, and Hakanpaa’s potential help in this area was viewed as a huge boost. What happens if he is unable to play?
The Hakanpaa Knee Situation Could Be Worse Than People Think
Toronto journalist Steve Simmons fanned suspicions regarding Hakanpaa’s health. According to Simmons, insiders have raised serious concerns about Hakanpaa’s knee condition, saying that he may never play in the NHL again. He elaborated, saying, “I was told that his bone-on-bone knee had been shot. According to two sources, no team was likely to sign him.
However, while Masters says there is no confirmation on Hakanpaa’s situation, Simmons reports that the Leafs’ medical team checked him and cleared him. Simmons explained, “I contacted the Leafs about this. They stated that their doctors cleared him to be signed. We’ll find out in the fall, or later, if he can play again.” According to Stars General Manager Jim Nill, Hakanpaa underwent an arthroscopic treatment on his knee following the season but is not expected to require any other surgeries. So, why are the Leafs being so quiet about things?
In any case, the Maple Leafs and their fans must be concerned. Hakanpaa, 32, is not the fastest defenseman in the world, and a chronic knee injury would undoubtedly slow him down even more. Prior to his injury, he had a strong season with the Stars, scoring 10 goals and adding 10 assists in 64 games while averaging 18:38 of ice time. But how will the remaining difficulties effect his game?
The uncertainty surrounding Hakanpaa’s health has put a long shadow over his signing. If the Maple Leafs are taking their time and ensuring he is totally healthy before committing to this agreement, it is the appropriate move. If he’s already signed and the team isn’t announcing it because they want to provide an update on his health at the same time, have the Maple Leafs gotten themselves into trouble?
If Hakanpaa’s knee problems linger, the Leafs may find themselves in a same predicament as they were with John Klingberg. Fans know how successful that signing was.
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