Latest update on Jani Hakanpaa is bad news for the Toronto Maple Leafs

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TJ Tucker
August 27, 2024 (3:57 PM)

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Chris Johnston of TSN has given an update on the status of Jani Hakanpaa and it's far from good news for the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving

There has been speculation recently that a contract between the Toronto Maple Leafs and defenceman Jani Hakanpaa could be in jeopardy. NHL insider Chris Johnston of TSN has now confirmed that, with additional details that don't sound good.

It was announced at the opening of free agency in July that the Toronto Maple Leafs had signed blueliner Jani Hakanpaa to a two-year contract. Even that seems to be in dispute as Johnston indicated there's no actual contract.

"He didn't actually sign. And where the confusion comes in is that the Leafs obviously had an intent to sign him on July 1. When Brad Treliving was speaking to reporters he talked about his excitement to add Jani Hakanpaa. And to the best of my knowledge, the reason it hasn't happened is the concern about an injury he had to end last season,"

Regardless, Johnston says Hakanpaa's knee is in rough shape, and medical opinions on whether he can play are mixed.

"His knee is basically bone on bone at this point. And you've got a player who thinks he can play, but there are maybe some medical opinions that are casting doubt on that. And we'll just have to see if they ultimately do sign him. The fact it's gone on this long probably doesn't suggest good things, encouraging things.

But the longer it goes and he doesn't have a contract, it doesn't look like he's going to end up with one. The best I can say right now is I don't know 100 per cent it's not going to go that way, but the writing doesn't appear to be too encouraging."

As Johnson discussed Jakanpaa's chances of returning to the ice, TSN noted that the agreement between the Leafs and the player was for two years, at $1.5 million per season.

Jakanpaa, 32, would certainly add size and grit to Toronto's blueline, if he can continue playing at the level he was at in previous years. If not, it sounds like the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving will have to look elsewhere for help on the backend.