Leafs Fans Fear the Worst: Jani Hakanpaa’s Troubling News Exposes Team’s Weaknesses

In what was supposed to be a positive turnaround season for Jani Hakanpaa, it’s been derailed by injury and a new update doesn’t give hope he’ll return soon.

Signed in the offseason as part of Brad Treliving’s new vision for the Maple Leafs, Jani Hakanpaa hasn’t had the season that the team had hoped for. Only playing in two games since recovering from surgery, he is out again dealing with the same knee that’s plagued him for years.

Unfortunately for Hakanpaa, things haven’t gotten better and the Maple Leafs have made a big decision. They’ve placed the defenseman on the LTIR for the foreseeable future, able to free up some much needed cap space.

Toronto has been rumored to make a move soon and whether it’s for a defenseman or more likely a center; the removal of Hakanpaa off the roster is a sign that something is in the works.

Jani Hakanpaa’s Career May Be Winding Down

It’s a sad bit of news for the towering defenseman as he was at one point part of the NHL’s best when it comes to being a shutdown defender. Using his absurd length and not afraid to throw his weight around or block a shot; he was a nightmare to play against.

But suffering a knee injury last March, Hakanpaa had to undergo surgery and spent several weeks rehabbing and recovering. He didn’t play in the preseason, and only had a couple of games in the AHL to get his footing back before making his debut.

Only playing two games though, he looked decent enough but clearly wasn’t ready yet and hasn’t touched the ice since, minus some alone time before practice.

The supposed final piece of the Maple Leafs’ new defensive corps, he’s been anything but and his contract is being wasted leading to Toronto needing to make their choice. It’s unknown when or even if Hakanpaa will play again this season, but his main goal should just be healthy in general.

For Brad Treliving, he was never going to be perfect when it comes to his signings and it looks like Hakanpaa was a whiff. It might sting in hindsight, but now Toronto can focus on doing what they can to find the right fit.