Maple Leafs defender Jani Hakanpaa is ready to return to the NHL after a challenging season 2024-25. Signed with a contract at the beginning of last summer, there was a delay in his deal that became official, mainly because of a career -liture that no one had apparently discovered. He eventually returned with Toronto, but only played two games.
The 33-year-old initially signed a multi-year agreement with Toronto, but after the contract was revised to explain his health status, he hit a one-year-old deal of $ 1,470 million that expired at the end of the 2024-25 season. According to most accounts, it was a gamble that did not pay for the Maple Leafs, who wanted to overhaul their defense corps and became more difficult to play against.
Now, free to sign whereever he wants and has been completely deleted, Hakanpaa is looking for a new NHL opportunity for the coming season.
Will an NHL team take a chance for Hakanpaa?
If healthy, Hakanpaa can bring an intriguing element to an NHL schedule. Known for his physicality, he has registered 899 hits and 45 points over 290 career games, and can be a solid (although not fast) defender of the third couples. He will probably not be the rough 18 minutes of ice age per night that he used to play, but in a more limited role on a cheap contract, he could be an intriguing addition.
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As a right shot defender, he could attract the attention of teams who want to add depth and toughness to their blue line.
The 33-year-old Told ilta-sanomat’s Ville Touru That he has a clean health letter and has already received calls from NHL clubs. He waits to sign somewhere, but it is not entirely clear why. It may be that he hopes that the offers will go up. It may also be that he knows that the offers will not be high and that he has to prove himself. That could mean that he would be the best chance with a team that will give him a chance to increase his figures for a contract offer in 2026.
Given his recent injury history, he can be a strong candidate for a professional try -out (PTO).
Can Hakanpaa return to the Maple Leafs?
As good as it is to hear that the defender is healthy and is ready to return to the NHL, do not expect Toronto Hakanapaa to give another chance. The Leafs may seek help on their blue line, but the focus is on the back, not the kind of game that Hakanpaa offers. GM Brad Treliving will in any case be looking for a Puck-Mover and another potential Power-Play-Man. The idea is to produce points, to replace part of the production that left when Mitch Marner did.
Not to mention the fact that the Leafs once took swing and sniffed. Potentially Sch Toute To give Hakanpaa again, Toronto is not in a position where they would like to make the same mistake twice. He was actually acquitted to play for the Leafs in the Play -Offs last season. “The doctors made me clear to play in the play -offs. My leg was in good condition and I was able to train well. That was really a positive sign for the future.”
Yet Toronto chose not to follow that route, which indicates that they went further.
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