This season marks a notable change from the last, as the Maple Leafs’ defense has been impressive, with Jani Hakanpaa ready to make his mark upon returning.

General Manager Brad Treliving focused on patching holes in the Maple Leafs’ lineup during the offseason, leading to a major defensive transformation. The team parted ways with T.J. Brodie, Mark Giordano, and John Klingberg, bringing in Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa, resulting in a clear upgrade. Tanev and Ekman-Larsson have shined thus far, while Hakanpaa is currently sidelined with a lingering knee injury. Tanev has been exceptional defensively and a shot-blocking machine, while Ekman-Larsson has looked reinvigorated under head coach Craig Berube, reminiscent of his peak performance from ten years ago.

While the Leafs have excelled defensively, Hakanpaa’s return will make them even stronger. Over the past few seasons, he has become one of the league’s premier defensive defensemen, utilizing his size and reach to neutralize opponents and allow the offense to thrive. He’s a crucial player on the penalty kill, and although he doesn’t score frequently, when he does shoot, it’s with power.

Hakanpaa is an ideal fit for Berube’s system, adding another formidable presence to a lineup that has become increasingly intimidating, featuring Tanev, Anthony Stolarz, Steven Lorentz, and the towering 6’7″ goaltender Dennis Hildeby. Upon his return, Hakanpaa is expected to pair with Simon Benoit, forming a tough defensive duo that should instill fear in opponents. Both players focus on defense, making them a complementary pair as they build their chemistry.

Hakanpaa’s analytics show he excels defensively and makes enough offensive contributions to warrant his lower goal output, often maintaining pressure in the offensive zone. As one of the more underrated defensemen in recent seasons, a healthy Hakanpaa can enhance his game and receive the recognition he deserves. Throughout his five-year NHL career, he has recorded 45 points in 288 games, with nearly 500 blocked shots and around 900 hits, boasting metrics similar to current Seattle Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson and former Maple Leaf Pavel Kubina.

When Hakanpaa returns to the Maple Leafs lineup, he may take a few games to find his rhythm. However, once he does, he will be a significant force; a healthy Jani Hakanpaa is an extremely dangerous asset.