Top NHL insider Chris Johnston sheds light on Jani Hakanpaa's situation with the Toronto Maple Leafs

PUBLICATION

Daniel Lucente
August 27, 2024  (8:19 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Photo credit: USA Today Sports

Now that weeks have passed since the Leafs supposedly signed Jani Hakanpaa to a contract, new reports emerged saying his health hasn't improved.

Things are looking shaky for Jani Hakanpaa's potential deal with the Leafs. On Tuesday morning, insider Chris Johnston talked about it on TSN 1050's "First Up", explaining that Hakanpaa hasn't signed yet because of concerns about his knee. While Hakanpaa believes he's good to go, the doctors aren't so sure.

There's still a slim chance things could turn around before training camp, and he might get the green light to play in the NHL with the Leafs. However, since so much time has passed since the initial injury report on July 1st, it's starting to seem unlikely that Jani Hakanpaa will join the Leafs. The fact that he never actually signed the contract suggests that his health is a big concern, and the deal depends on him passing medical tests.

When we first heard that Jani Hakanpaa might be joining the Leafs, there were already reports about his knee problems, particularly a «degenerative knee» issue that led the Dallas Stars to let him go. Toronto's medical team initially cleared him to play, but it looks like they later found the same knee problem, which has caused the delay in getting his contract finalized.

GM of the Leafs Brad Treliving hasn't said much about the situation, but he did recently mention that they're «working through it» and hope to have an answer soon.

With training camp and the preseason just around the corner, the Leafs need to make a decision about Jani Hakanpaa quickly. There's still a chance the deal could happen, but it seems less likely as time goes on. If it doesn't work out, the Leafs will have to look for another right-handed defenseman fast since there aren't many left in free agency. The decision they ultimately make will also help them figure out their remaining cap space and how to handle other roster moves, like what to do with disgruntled forward Nick Robertson who demanded a trade.

Source:
Hockey Patrol on X

Warning: include(/home//inout/pub_inline.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/marqueur/public_html/news/auto/blogs_id/422018.php on line 37

Warning: include(): Failed opening '/home//inout/pub_inline.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/opt/cpanel/ea-php74/root/usr/share/pear') in /home/marqueur/public_html/news/auto/blogs_id/422018.php on line 37

Previously

Vandalism hits the city of Winnipeg as statue of Dale Hawerchuk is defaced

Elliotte Friedman sheds light on Ryan Johansen's contract termination by the Philadelphia Flyers

Nick Robertson confirms his future plans with the Toronto Maple Leafs

POLL
AOÛT 27   |   53 ANSWERS Top NHL insider Chris Johnston sheds light on Jani Hakanpaa's situation with the Toronto Maple Leafs Will the Maple Leafs ultimately give up on Jani Hakanpaa?
Yes	44	83 %
No	9	17 %
LIST OF POLLS

MUST READ

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly

Feb 28  |  By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer

Feb 28  |  By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information

Feb 28  |  By Mike Whitaker Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final

Feb 27  |  By Mike Whitaker David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline

Feb 27  |  By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline

MORE STORIES