Whether we will see Jani Hakanpaa in a Maple Leafs jersey next season remains a mystery.
The 32-year-old defenseman reportedly signed a two-year, $3 million contract with Toronto on the opening day of NHL Free Agency. However, a report from Postmedia’s Steve Simmons said Hakanpaa was dealing with knee issues and underwent a procedure in March, which has kept him from playing since.
“I was told his knee was bone on bone,” Simmonds posted on X just one day after the defender reportedly signed with Toronto. “I asked the Leafs about it. They said his doctors have cleared him to be signed. We’ll find out in the fall — or later — if he can play again.”
The Maple Leafs have not yet officially announced the deal, but GM Brad Treliving spoke about Hakanpaa on July 1, saying the defenseman “shines in his ability to kill penalties.” He added that Toronto would rather have too many defenders than not enough.
Hakanpaa’s future with Toronto became even more mysterious on Saturday after the defender attended an All-Star charity golf tournament in Oulu, Finland, and wore a Dallas Stars jersey.
The event, that helps underprivileged young people practice and find joy in exercisewas hosted by several current and former Finnish NHL players, including Hakanpaa, recent Stanley Cup champion and Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola, Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho, Markus Nutivaara, retired goaltender Pekka Rinne and retired forward Jussi Jokinen.
The charity tournament has raised almost €650,000 since it began eight years ago.
Hockey News reached out to Hakanpaa representatives last week to clarify the player’s situation, but did not receive a response.
Hakanpaa averaged the sixth-most ice time (18:39) among Stars defensemen last season. He had two goals and 10 assists in 64 games with Dallas, but hasn’t seen a game since March 16 against the Los Angeles Kings.
The 6-foot-1 defenseman was not yet on the Maple Leafs’ official roster page at the time of writing this on August 3rd.
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