The Toronto Maple Leafs made headlines by signing Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson at the start of free agency this year. However, one signing that flew under the radar was their acquisition of defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.
This signing didn’t garner much attention because many casual fans are unfamiliar with Jani Hakanpaa, and there are concerns about his injury status potentially sidelining him.
Some criticize General Manager Brad Treliving for not exercising more caution when signing former Dallas Stars defensemen with significant injury risks. They see it as a classic Treliving mistake—paying above the league minimum for a replacement player simply because of his size, despite questionable statistics (according to naturalstattrick.com).
Who exactly is Jani Hakanpaa, and can he contribute to the Toronto Maple Leafs? At 32 years old and right-handed, standing at 6’7″, Hakanpaa has a unique physical presence. His NHL career has been varied, starting in 2010 with stints in European leagues and the AHL before finally playing a full NHL season with the Anaheim Ducks in the shortened 2020 season.
After moving to the Dallas Stars, Hakanpaa became a regular in their lineup until injuries, particularly to his knees, became a concern.
If healthy, Hakanpaa is expected to fill a role currently occupied by Simon Benoit, despite skepticism about both players’ abilities. Hakanpaa’s size could potentially benefit the Leafs, but critics doubt his effectiveness, given Dallas’s defensive stars like Miro Heiskanen and Chris Tanev who likely handled tougher assignments.
Statistically, Hakanpaa’s teams have rarely held possession advantage, often getting stuck in their own zone and outshot. His career has seen more losses than wins in terms of on-ice minutes, with only a few instances of breaking even.
For a team like the Leafs that emphasizes puck movement and a high-paced game, Hakanpaa’s style may not be an ideal fit. Critics also question the contract’s terms—a two-year commitment with a cap hit above the league minimum—especially for a player with uncertain health and performance issues.
There’s frustration over the Leafs’ apparent tendency to spend on less impactful players while avoiding bigger investments in proven contributors. Comparisons are drawn to other questionable signings like Max Domi, Ryan Reaves, David Kampf, and Simon Benoit, seen as missteps in contract negotiations.
In summary, the signing of Jani Hakanpaa has been heavily criticized as an unnecessary and risky move for the Toronto Maple Leafs, prompting doubts about its potential impact and overall strategy under General Manager Brad Treliving.