In a recent update from Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving, it was revealed on Tuesday that defenseman Jani Hakanpää is expected to make a return early in the season. Hakanpää had been placed on long-term injured reserve prior to the start of the season due to a lingering knee injury. Despite this setback, Treliving remains optimistic about Hakanpää’s recovery, stating, “We thought coming into it [that] it would be a few weeks. Touch wood there’s been no setbacks.”
The 32-year-old Hakanpää had a solid season with the Dallas Stars last year, tallying two goals and 10 assists in 64 games while averaging 18:38 of ice time. Following the season, it was confirmed that he underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee but was not expected to require any further surgeries. Hakanpää’s signing with the Maple Leafs was officially announced after he inked a one-year, $1.47 million deal.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, Hakanpää didn’t make his NHL debut until the 2019-20 season with the Anaheim Ducks. Over his career, he has accumulated 15 goals and 45 points in 288 games with the Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Stars.
Despite Hakanpää missing the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has yet to name a starter for the game. Berube declared, “We’ll see tomorrow. That’s tomorrow. Today’s today.” Joseph Woll, who emerged as a starter last season, was the first goalie off the ice during practice and will share netminding duties with free-agent addition Anthony Stolarz this season.
