The Toronto Maple Leafs activated defenceman Jani Hakanpaa from long-term injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.
Maple Leafs D Jani Hakanpää has been recalled from LTIR conditioning loan and activated from LTIR.
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 13, 2024
Hakanpaa was sent to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on a conditioning loan on November 1, as he worked his way back from a knee injury which ended his 2023-24 season, as a member of the Dallas Stars. He played in two games with the Marlies and did not record a point, while recording three shots on goal.
Toronto now holds $732,000 in cap space, with Auston Matthews and Max Pacioretty on IR, and Dakota Mermis and Calle Jarnkrok listed on LTIR, per PuckPedia.
The #LeafsForever activated Hakanpaa from LTIR, losing his $1.47M from their available space.
They now have $732K Cap Space remaining in LTIR with 23 active players
IR: Matthews, Pacioretty
LTIR: Mermis, Jarnkrokhttps://t.co/FB7TM3sZyf
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) November 13, 2024
The towering defenceman signed a one-year, $1.47 million contract with the Maple Leafs on September 11, after it was initially reported that he signed a two-year contract worth $3 million on July 2.
“It’s probably something we’ve got to keep managing throughout the year,” Hakanpaa said of his knee on November 5. “We found a good routine in how to deal with it. We learned a lot even the time, but obviously through the whole rehab process, even just being here, we’ve been loading it more and more each week, each day. It’s something we’re just gonna keep managing, doing the right things, and stay on top of it.”
Hakanpaa is an excellent shot-blocker, who should compete for Toronto’s No. 6 defenceman spot as a right-handed shot. Conor Timmins has locked down the No. 6 role for now, after outplaying Timothy Liljegren — since traded to the San Jose Sharks — and Philippe Myers in training camp. It’s possible that Hakanpaa could begin the season paired with Simon Benoit, with Toronto’s top pairings of Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev effectively locked in.
The 32-year-old recorded two goals and 12 points in 64 games with the Stars last season.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving told reporters Monday that Hakanpaa would need final clearance before ending his conditioning loan. Hakanpaa participated in Tuesday’s morning skate and has been participating in practices throughout the week.
It’s clear that Hakanpaa’s size, physicality and shot-blocking prowess are assets that both Treliving and head coach Craig Berube covet in their system.
