Report says Toronto Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa may never play again

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TJ Tucker
July 2, 2024 (9:58)

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Despite the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs just signed him to a new two-year contract, and report states defenceman Jani Hakanpaa's NHL career may be over

The big move by the Toronto Maple Leafs when the NHL's free agent market opened was signing defenceman Chris Tanev to a six-year deal. Tanev, according to most analysts, will provide exactly what Toronto needs on the backend in grit and leadership. Tanev wasn't the only defenceman signed by the Maple Leafs on July 1, but a new report states he may be the only one to actually play for the team.

Jani Hakanpaa, who was teammates with Tanev on the Dallas Stars, received a two-year deal from the Leafs worth $1.5 million. Hakanpaa suffered a knee injury late last season, missing the Stars last 13 regular season games and all of the playoffs. There is no timeline for his return, and Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reports there are concerns he might never be able to return.

" A year ago, maybe two years ago, Hakanpaa would have factored rather nicely on the Leafs defence. He's a giant of a man at 6-foot-7, popular in the room, that great hockey vernacular, and a penalty-killer beyond compare. But one with a knee so bad that some think � although the Leafs disagree � that he may never play again.

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. Two years ago, Hakanpaa was playing 18 minutes for the Stars. He might have played his last NHL game in March. If he plays again, plays at all for the Leafs, it will shock those who were around in recent seasons."

If this is indeed the case, it's a bad look for the Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving. Giving a player who likely won't play again a two-year contract is questionable, to say the least. Simmons can certainly be hit or miss with his information, so it remains to be seen whether he's right on this one.

POLL
JUILLET 2 \| 277 ANSWERS Report says Toronto Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa may never play again What do you think of the report that Jani Hakanpaa of the Toronto Maple Leafs might never play again?
Terrible look for the Leafs	69	24.9 %
Smells like BS	159	57.4 %
I'm not sure	49	17.7 %
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