Few Teams Have Shown Interest in Jani Hakanpaa, Opening the Door for a Surprise Landing Spot
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Jani Hakanpaa had a tough season last year with the Maple Leafs, but is seemingly healthy and according to a Finnish article, is drawing interest from several teams.
In the summer of 2024, the Toronto Maple Leafs made quite the surprising splash by signing Jani Hakanpaa to a contract even though he was injured and expected to miss a large portion of time.
He got healthy enough to appear in two games for the team, but beyond that was on the shelf for the rest of the season in what can only been seen as one of Brad Treliving's most perplexing decisions.
Why the Maple Leafs Could Still Quietly Enter the Jani Hakanpaa Conversation
However he is apparently healthy now and ready to hopefully continue his career, and while there is a chance he could reunite with the Maple Leafs, it might be best to avoid another potential failed signing.
But if the Leafs were interested, they aren't the only ones according to Finnish news outlet Ilta-Sanomat.
A recent article interviewing Hakanpaa and his future revealed that he wanted to continue his career, and that while he wants to get a deal done; he has options:
Hakanpää's contract with Toronto was only for one year. He currently has no contract anywhere, but continuing in the NHL is a clear goal:
"The intention would be to continue there. Now let's see how we can get the contract done. A few teams have been interested in him since the start of the free agent market (July 1). But I want to wait, watch and sum up what and when."
"The intention would be to continue there. Now let's see how we can get the contract done. A few teams have been interested in him since the start of the free agent market (July 1). But I want to wait, watch and sum up what and when."
With Hakanpaa intending to wanna stick around Toronto, there is a hope that potentially he will sign as depth for the league minimum knowing that he is going to have to earn his spot through staying healthy.
Plus, the team does have the advantage of providing some of the best medical care in the NHL, and could help revitalize Hakanpaa's career so long as we're a bit more patient this time around.
How Toronto's Blue Line Needs Make This a Potential Fit
With a logjam on defense and a core signed long-term, it's hard to see an everyday fit for Hakanpaa but in a pinch he could certainly help out.
Able to take over for Simon Benot, or in case of emergency could be a replacement for Brandon Carlo alongside Morgan Rielly. He hasn't played much but Hakanpaa is an elite shutdown defender with a knack for blocking shots and disrupting opponents.
They need bodies regardless, and as Brad Treliving has stated in the past, it's better to have more than less. But it's a matter of money and whether or not Hakanpaa wants to continue as a depth player or find more minutes elsewhere.
All that matters is his health and as long as that stays kosher; he'll come back and make an impact once again.
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