‘Based mostly On What I’ve Been In a position To Piece Collectively, We’re Possible To See Him At Coaching Camp In Toronto’: Jani Hakanpaa Reportedly Stays a Risk to Be a part of the Maple Leafs

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September 7, 2024

The story of unrestricted free agent Jani Hakanpaa and the Toronto Maple Leafs has been a curler coaster within the 2024 offseason.

Regardless of studies resulting in the invention that the 2 events held a mutual curiosity when NHL free company opened on July 1, no contract has materialized as of September fifth.

As what many believed would have been a commendable addition, signing the Finnish defenseman, all anticipation got here to a halt when Postmedia’s Steve Simmons reported that there was concern a knee damage suffered in his time with the Dallas Stars was “bone on bone” – a pink flag that he could not have the ability to lace them up once more anytime quickly.

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Now a few quick weeks away from the opening of coaching camp Hakanpaa stays unsigned. On the most recent episode of The Chris Johnston Show, NHL insider Chris Johnston gave a quick replace on the rumblings he has heard over his standing with the Leafs.

“I’m a bit extra optimistic,” Johnston informed co-host Julian McKenzie. “I imply look, that is the 6-foot-7 thriller man, or the 6-foot-6, no matter you understand. He’s hiding in plain sight. However, a really uncommon state of affairs. I’ve reached out to the folks that will be straight concerned on this and don’t have any 100% affirmation, however it feels as if, based mostly on what I’ve been in a position to piece collectively, we’re more likely to see him at coaching camp in Toronto.”

Regardless of this optimism, the state of affairs stays fluid. The dearth of an official signing has fueled hypothesis, however Johnston talked about that the Leafs might nonetheless be open to exploring a deal.

“However once more, that hasn’t been confirmed,” Johnston added. “Clearly, the Leafs have just a few totally different conditions. I imply, they’ve obtained the opportunity of gamers coming in on tryouts. Jani Hakanpaa doesn’t formally have his contract, at the very least as of the time we’re recording this on September fifth. They haven’t signed him to a deal and registered it with the Central Registry of the NHL. However I nonetheless assume there’s a world that occurs.”

Normal supervisor Brad Treliving spoke on the state of affairs at Auston Matthews’ captaincy press convention in August, saying, “(We’re) working by that.” The state of affairs nonetheless appears to be unraveling, with no clear dedication on his standing of suiting up within the blue and white.

Hakanpaa scored two targets and added 10 assists in 64 video games with the Stars in 2023-24. After struggling an damage on Mar. 16, he skated with the Stars however didn’t gown for any motion within the membership’s run to the Western Convention Finals within the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With coaching camp simply across the nook, Hakanpaa’s title stays within the dialog as a attainable defensive possibility – if he’s wholesome sufficient to play. For now, the saga continues. Will the towering, 6-foot-7 defenseman make his solution to Toronto, or will his knee damage proceed to be a hurdle that derails this signing? Time will inform.