Free-agent defenseman Jani Hakanpaa is confident that he will be ready to play in the upcoming 2024-25 season, despite a knee injury that sidelined him for the final month of the previous season. Chris Johnston recently shared insights into the situation, revealing that Hakanpaa has been in discussions with the Toronto Maple Leafs since the start of free agency. The two parties reportedly agreed on a two-year contract worth $1.5 million annually, yet six weeks later, the deal remains unsigned.
Johnston provided an update on the situation during The Chris Johnston Show, stating, “From what I understand, Hakanpaa ended last season with a significant knee injury while playing for Dallas. He believes he can continue playing on that knee, but there seems to be some disagreement among those reviewing his medical records. The concern is that he may be dealing with a bone-on-bone condition, which could lead to considerable discomfort.”
Medical issues can vary greatly from player to player. Some athletes manage to perform despite serious injuries, while others struggle. “We’ll see if he ultimately secures a contract,” Johnston added. “It’s clear that there are some concerns.”
Hakanpaa, 32, is known for his imposing presence on the ice. Standing at 6-foot-7, he appeared in 64 games for the Stars last season, contributing 12 points. Renowned for his size and defensive style, Hakanpaa recorded 196 hits and blocked 123 shots. Throughout his career, he has accumulated 898 hits and 453 blocks in just 288 games. After debuting with the Anaheim Ducks in 2019-20, Hakanpaa had a stint with the Carolina Hurricanes before spending the last three seasons in Dallas.
In Dallas, Hakanpaa was a key player on the penalty kill, and he could provide valuable depth to the Maple Leafs’ blue line if general manager Brad Treliving decides to finalize the contract, despite the concerns raised by medical evaluations.
When asked about the contract’s status during a recent press conference, Treliving chose not to divulge too many details, as the focus was on Auston Matthews. However, he did confirm that the team is “working through it.” With $1.27 million in cap space and two NHL contract slots available, the Maple Leafs have about five weeks before training camps begin. Treliving is also addressing Nick Robertson’s trade request from earlier in the offseason.
Hakanpaa, a native of Kirkkonummi, Finland, entered free agency after completing a three-year contract with the Stars, valued at $1.5 million annually. Notably, he missed only two regular-season games during the first two years of that deal.
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