Jani Hakanpaa's Projected Role in Maple Leafs' Playoff Roster Unveiled
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, but he's only placed twice this year - what is the plan for him in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa was brought in to the Toronto Maple Leafs from the Dallas Stars during the summer, but he's only appeared in a pair of games thanks to an injury that required surgery.
But now that he's skating in practice, are the Leafs ready to put him into the defensive rotation with the playoffs approaching?
Jani Hakanpaa In For A Tough Road Ahead
Former NHL forward and current analyst Mike Johnson joined Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan and Jeff O'Neill on today's segment of TSN's OverDrive and stated plainly that Hakanpaa won't be ready for tough matchups in the playoffs against stiff competition.
Oh boy - I want him to be good, but are we expecting a guy who is a big, heavy, not sleek-footed players on a bum knee who hasn't played in a year to step in and play over who?
Guys who played all year? This is the thing - I mean, he can be a good player and he has been in his career.
Guys who played all year? This is the thing - I mean, he can be a good player and he has been in his career.
Hakanpaa....in the high pressure situation, you get on the road and you're like, 'Okay, you're up against (Nikita Kucherov)'.
Excuse me?....if he gets in, things are not going well. Or there are injuries. Philippe Myers and (Simon) Benoit would be significantly ahead of him on the depth chart.
Excuse me?....if he gets in, things are not going well. Or there are injuries. Philippe Myers and (Simon) Benoit would be significantly ahead of him on the depth chart.
In addition to Hakanpaa, the Leafs also welcomed back veteran Max Pacioretty to practice; both players skated, albeit briefly.
Head coach Craig Berube said that both players have been working with the team development crew to not only get healthy but get their game back up to speed.
It's good that they're out there. They've been working with our development crew and people back here skating and trying to get healthy.
Hopefully, they can get healthy and be part of the team at some point.
Hopefully, they can get healthy and be part of the team at some point.
Though he would have been a towering presence for the team come playoff time, it's hard to justify putting him in without at least a few games to get into the swing of things, and as unfortunate as it is to say, Philippe Myers and Simon Benoit are available and most importantly; not dealing with a career-threatening injury.
Hakanpaa has zero points and four blocks in the two games he played for the Maple Leafs.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 3 | 730 ANSWERS Jani Hakanpaa's Projected Role in Maple Leafs' Playoff Roster Unveiled Should the Maple Leafs insert Jani Hakanpaa into the lineup if healthy? | ||
| Yes | 434 | 59.5 % |
| No | 296 | 40.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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