Key Takeaways:
– The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa under a two-year deal.
– There is widespread speculation that Hakanpaa’s knee injury might stop him from playing in the NHL again.
– Despite rumors, Toronto remains positive about the 32-year-old player’s health and potential.
Canadians are dedicated to their hockey, and recent news from the Toronto Maple Leafs has sparked heated discussion. The Leafs have signed Jani Hakanpaa, a 32-year-old Finnish defenseman, for two years worth $1.5 million each season. Yet, his future in the National Hockey League (NHL) hangs in the balance, with reports of a crippling knee injury clouding his career prospects.
A Hazy Future On Ice: Hakanpaa’s Injury
Last year, the 6-foot-7 player grappled with a serious knee injury. His situation became so dire that his last match was on March 16. Despite ending his season crippled by injury, the Maple Leafs were undeterred, offering him a multi-year deal in free agency.
A cloud of unease, however, hovers as Steve Simmons, a reporter for Toronto Sun, suggests that Hakanpaa’s knee injury spells the end of his career. Simmons argues that while Toronto disagrees, others within the NHL believe the defensemen’s knee condition is so serious that he may never play in the league again.
Simmons writes, “The Leafs signed him to play but many doubt he will. It’s said to be bone-on-bone with not much knee left. It’s said to be trouble. If he plays again, it will shock those who were around in recent seasons”.
Hakanpaa’s Many Faces On The Ice
Even though speculation about Hakanpaa’s capacity to return to the rink runs high, Toronto keeps faith in him. The team believes that the defenseman, albeit nursing a significant injury, is healthy enough to deliver in the upcoming season.
The 32-year-old’s prowess on ice is notable. Picked 104th overall in the 2010 NHL draft by the St. Louis Blues, Hakanpaa made his NHL debut only in the 2019-20 season with the Anaheim Ducks. Until now, he has participated in 288 regular-season games, recording 15 goals and 30 assists, accumulating 45 points.
Treliving’s Optimism: Hakanpaa Is A Penalty Killer
Maple Leafs’ general manager Brad Treliving has publically vouched for Hakanpaa’s potential. When quizzed about Hakanpaa’s fit with the team, Treliving emphatically highlighted the player’s penalty-killing skills.
He backs Hakanpaa’s prowess evidenced by his performance with Dallas in past years, saying, “that’s an area where Jani really shines in.” With the defensemen’s addition to the team, it opens up different options for the Leafs as they plan for the summer, providing a more flexible roster for the coaching staff.
However, the Leafs’ current situation might complicate things. The team exceeds the salary cap by almost $800,000, according to CapFriendly. A trade is likely imminent. Even with nine defensemen under contract, Treliving believes that more options are better. “Defensemen are hard to get,” he said, “it certainly gives the coaching staff a lot of options.”
Signings like Hakanpaa’s are raising eyebrows and the stakes for the beloved Canadian team. With 23 players signed with the Leafs now, it seems like they have done their job for the season. But ultimately, everything boils down to one burning question: Will Hakanpaa overcome his injury and return to the rink to continue his promising journey in the NHL? The answer will unfold as the hockey world keenly watches the unfolding of the Maple Leafs’ next season.