The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without their new defenseman Jani Hakanpaa for a minimum of eleven games, as he was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) on Monday afternoon.

With just a few days until the regular season opener against the Montreal Canadiens, excitement is building for what promises to be another thrilling NHL season marked by their fierce rivalry.

As the team prepares, roster adjustments are necessary to free up cap space. Unfortunately, this means they will miss one of their key summer signings for at least the first ten games, following Hakanpaa’s placement on LTIR.

Hakanpaa joins Connor Dewar, Dakota Mermis, and Calle Jarnkrok on the sidelines as they recover from injuries during the ongoing season. Dewar is recovering from shoulder surgery, while Jarnkrok is dealing with an unspecified lower-body injury that has kept him out of both games and practices for the past few weeks. Mermis recently underwent surgery and is expected to be sidelined for several months, leading to a growing list of injuries for Toronto.

Standing at 6’7″, Hakanpaa was signed by the Maple Leafs to reinforce their strategy focused on size, intimidation, and shutdown defense, moving away from a solely offensive approach. His impressive metrics in recent seasons and ability to read opposing offenses give him an edge in transitioning out of the defensive zone, allowing teammates to handle the offensive duties. He aligns well with GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube’s vision. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Hakanpaa could play a crucial role in a lengthy playoff run if he stays healthy.

Investing in a defenseman with ongoing knee issues is a gamble, especially given Hakanpaa’s height. However, Treliving places his trust in the Maple Leafs’ medical staff and trainers to prepare Hakanpaa for game action as soon as possible. While this risk could yield significant rewards, the team might find itself at a disadvantage if they are unable to utilize their sought-after shutdown defenseman.