'He is Getting Higher': Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Hopeful That Jani Hakanpaa Joins Coaching Camp Group Subsequent Week

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September 21, 2024

Jani Hakanpaa is near collaborating totally in Maple Leafs coaching camp.

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The 32-year-old defenseman has been absent from Toronto’s primary camp because it started on Thursday as he continues to get well from a knee damage suffered final season with the Dallas Stars.

“He is getting higher. He is truly doing nicely,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube mentioned on Saturday. “I discuss to him each day about his state of affairs and the way he is feeling and the place he is at. He is getting higher. I believe it is shut. Hopefully subsequent week he’ll be within the group there with us.”

#Leafs head coach Craig Berube says he has each day discussions with Jani Hakanpaa about how he is feeling, including that we may see him quickly in coaching camp.

“He is getting higher and so I believe it is shut. Hopefully subsequent week he’ll be within the group there with us.”

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) September 21, 2024

Whether or not Hakanpaa would signal with Toronto was up within the air for a number of months after reportedly agreeing to a contract in early July. It wasn’t till Sept. 11 that the defenseman signed a one-year, $1.470 million cope with the Maple Leafs.

“It feels good. It feels nice. It is one of many golf equipment with nice historical past and all that, so I am actually excited to be part of it,” Hakanpaa mentioned on the Leafs and Legends Charity Golf Match on Monday how he is feeling forward of camp.

“[I’m] wanting ahead to being a Leaf and getting on the market, taking part in with the fellows, and I have been fortunate sufficient to spend a couple of days right here, assembly with the fellows, and it looks like a extremely nice group of men.”

The defenseman hasn’t appeared in an NHL recreation since Mar. 16 when Dallas took on the L.A. Kings. It has been a protracted and troublesome highway for Hakanpaa, however he at all times knew he’d be again taking part in after this knee damage.

“In my thoughts, it has been clear that I’ll get again. And the crew I had round me again residence in Finland had the identical ideas. I believe that was the most important key, to only have folks round me that trusted as nicely,” Hakanpaa mentioned.

“Clearly, it is slightly little bit of a rollercoaster. There’s good days, unhealthy days. However I believe that underlying belief of, ‘It may occur finally,’ has at all times been there.”

Connor Dewar additionally took half in Saturday’s Group 3 of Maple Leafs coaching camp. The ahead, who had offseason shoulder surgical procedure, was carrying a crimson non-contact jersey alongside Hakanpaa.

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving mentioned on Wednesday that the ahead is progressing, however that Dewar will not be beginning Maple Leafs coaching camp with the primary teams.