Toronto Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa comes clean about off-season injury

PUBLICATION

Daniel Lucente
September 17, 2024  (9:08)

SHARE THIS STORY

Photo credit: USA Today Sports

Reporters finally caught up with new Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and he revealed all the details about his nagging knee injury.

Since his signing on July 1st, there has been much speculation over the injury status of Jani Hakanpaa and his knee. On Monday, he spoke for the first time about his condition.

The big man arrived in Toronto ahead of training camp, a scenario few had predicted until he signed his standard player contract last week. Having undergone surgery earlier this year, he has been rehabbing ever since. Though the rehabilitation process has been grueling, Hakanpaa has remained optimistic about suiting up this season all along.

Regarding going back onto the ice, Hakanpaa said that he is still waiting for the Leafs' medical team to give him the all-clear. That will come tomorrow when he meets with them. He's optimistic that it should be very soon.

Hakanpaa stands at an intimidating 6'7" and 222 pounds on the ice. If his size is anything to go by, he is equally intimidating, boasting 898 career hits and 453 blocked shots in 288 NHL games. The addition of such a player to the Toronto blueline cannot go unnoticed. When he gets to full fitness, he will add that much-needed physicality.

At this juncture, it's anyone's guess whether Jani Hakanpaa will start the regular season on LTIR or as the Leafs' seventh defenceman, being eased in slowly. If his rehab goes well, he should be back before the season does.

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/430402.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/430402.php on line 37

Previously

NHL and Gary Bettman facing calls to change Stanley Cup playoff format

Valeri Nichushkin's future in the NHL confirmed by Joe Sakic after Seattle legal incident

Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau honoured in a beautiful way: a hockey arena has been named after them

POLL
SEPTEMBRE 17   |   143 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa comes clean about off-season injury Will Jani Hakanpaa be healthy to start the season?
Yes	50	35 %
No	93	65 %
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