In 2019, David Urquhart served as the coach for Jani Hakanpää and Simon Benoit with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls. Both defensemen are now part of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the former Gulls coach notes that their presence is advantageous for a blue line in need of greater physicality.
“When I learned that Jani Hakanpää had signed with the Leafs, I immediately saw a lot of similarities between him and Simon Benoit,” Urquhart stated. “They share qualities such as being well-liked in the dressing room, giving their all, and displaying selflessness on the ice. Initially, I wasn’t aware of Benoit because he was somewhat overlooked, but he became a crucial player for the Leafs during their final push and into the playoffs.”
For general manager Brad Treliving and the Leafs coaching staff, securing a successful turnaround season from Hakanpää, similar to what they experienced with Benoit the previous year, is likely a primary objective behind signing him to a one-year, $1.47 million contract.
🖊 We’ve signed defenceman Jani Hakanpää to a one-year contract
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 11, 2024
Treliving first commented on the signing of the 6-foot-7 defenseman during a media session at the onset of free agency. Initially, the agreement was believed to be a two-year contract with a cap hit of $1.5 million.
However, as the summer progressed, the deal was never officially confirmed, prompting speculation regarding his future with the team.
Hakanpää’s last season concluded prematurely due to an injury; he played his final game for the Dallas Stars on March 16 after participating in 64 regular-season games and did not take the ice during the playoffs. To address his injury, Hakanpää underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
With 288 NHL games under his belt, having played for the Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, and Anaheim Ducks, Hakanpää is determined to make his mark in Toronto. He feels prepared for the season opener, although the Leafs’ staff had concerns about his health, which delayed the official announcement of the deal for more than two months.
At 32, Hakanpää was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft by the St. Louis Blues. He played in the AHL from 2012 to 2015 before returning to Finland’s Liiga until 2019. Hakanpää finally earned regular playing time as a rookie at the age of 28 during the 2020-21 season with the Ducks.
The Leafs are offering him a chance: Hakanpää needs to demonstrate his health and effectiveness not only during training camp but also throughout the season.
If he can accomplish this, the Leafs’ investment in him could yield significant rewards.
“(Hakanpää) is committed to improvement. He constantly seeks feedback and challenges himself,” Urquhart explained. “He can seamlessly integrate into a system and fulfill whatever role is required.”
Hakanpää embodies the type of defenseman that Treliving typically looks for. To describe him and his towering 6-foot-7 frame as intimidating would be an understatement. If he can maintain his health and utilize his reach to neutralize opposing forwards while delivering impactful hits, the Leafs could present a tougher matchup for their opponents.
“(Hakanpää) delivers hits that can take opponents out of the game,” Urquhart remarked.
Treliving aimed to enhance the Leafs’ penalty kill during free agency, and Hakanpää was a player he identified to provide the necessary toughness.
“This is an area where Jani excels: his ability to kill penalties. We saw that skill on display during his time in Dallas, especially last season,” Treliving noted on July 1.
Hakanpää has never hesitated to block shots near the blue line, evidenced by his 128 blocks, which ranked second on the Stars in the 2022-23 season. Even in a year when Hakanpää was not at peak health, his 6.18 blocks per 60 minutes led Dallas.
“He absorbs everything that comes his way. It’s incredible,” Urquhart commented.
Those who have worked with Hakanpää affirm that his character will blend well within the Leafs’ locker room.
“He possesses a warm, approachable personality. His teammates really appreciate him,” Urquhart shared. “Despite his imposing appearance, he is genuinely a delightful person to interact with.”
Some of the skepticism surrounding Hakanpää’s health may be attributed to the fact that two of Treliving’s most prominent free-agent signings in 2023 encountered injury issues. John Klingberg didn’t last two months as a Leaf before undergoing hip surgery, which seemed to be a lingering problem. Ryan Reaves commented midseason that following prior knee injuries, he felt uneasy playing without knee braces.
It’s important to highlight that the Leafs seem to have reduced the risk involved in signing Hakanpää. The initial agreement involved a two-year commitment, but with a one-year contract at a lower cap hit, the Leafs have taken a more measured approach. Should Hakanpää’s knee fail to hold up, they can minimize much of his cap hit by sending him to the AHL Marlies.
The integration of Hakanpää, now that training camp is just days away, means surprises on the Leafs’ defense are unlikely. Including Conor Timmins, the Leafs have eight NHL defensemen on their roster. Hakanpää is expected to join the third pairing alongside a more offensive-minded puck mover, possibly Timothy Liljegren. Consequently, the likelihood of a player emerging from the Marlies, such as Cade Webber, Topi Niemela, or Philippe Myers, claiming a roster spot during camp appears diminished if Hakanpää remains healthy.
Additionally, adding $1.47 million to the Leafs’ salary cap necessitates offloading contracts before the season begins, introducing another layer of intrigue (and more queries) surrounding the Leafs’ training camp.
Hakanpää will soon have the opportunity to address these concerns and capitalize on the chance presented to him by the Leafs.
(Photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Jani Hakanpää: Aiming for a Defensive Turnaround
Overview of Jani Hakanpää
Jani Hakanpää, a Finnish defenseman, has recently signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, marking a significant move in their quest for defensive stability. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 227 pounds, Hakanpää brings a combination of size, skill, and experience that the Maple Leafs hope will bolster their blue line.
Why the Maple Leafs Needed Hakanpää
Last season, the Maple Leafs faced numerous challenges defensively, leading to inconsistencies that hindered their playoff run. By integrating Hakanpää, the team aims to address the following key issues:
- Physical Presence: Hakanpää’s size and strength add a physical edge to the defense, allowing the Leafs to handle opposing forwards more effectively.
- Defensive Reliability: His track record in the NHL shows a player who can be trusted to play solid defense, which is crucial in high-stakes situations.
- Penalty Kill Improvement: Hakanpää has shown strong capabilities on the penalty kill, an area where the Leafs struggled last season.
Career Highlights of Jani Hakanpää
Jani Hakanpää has built a reputation as a reliable defenseman in the NHL and previously in European leagues. Here are some of his career highlights:
| Season | Team | Games Played | Points</th | Plus/Minus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | Carolina Hurricanes | 23 | 1 | +6 |
| 2021-2022 | Anaheim Ducks | 61 | 7 | -1 |
| 2022-2023 | Dallas Stars | 70 | 5 | +4 |
Hakanpää’s Playing Style
Hakanpää is known for his defensive instincts and ability to read the game. His style includes:
- Positioning: He excels at maintaining strong defensive positioning, which limits the options for opposing forwards.
- Physicality: His physical style of play allows him to win battles along the boards and in front of the net.
- Skating Ability: Despite his size, Hakanpää possesses a surprising agility that helps him transition quickly between offense and defense.
Expected Impact on the Maple Leafs’ Defense
With Hakanpää on board, the Maple Leafs’ defensive lineup is expected to see several improvements:
- Increased Defensive Depth: Hakanpää adds depth to the defensive core, enabling the coaching staff to deploy a more balanced rotation.
- Leadership Qualities: His experience in the NHL and international play provides a veteran presence that can mentor younger players.
- Enhanced Special Teams: With his proven track record in penalty killing, Hakanpää will likely improve the team’s performance in special teams scenarios.
Potential Line Combinations
Integrating Hakanpää into the lineup will require thoughtful consideration of line combinations. Here are a couple of potential pairings:
- Hakanpää and Morgan Rielly: This pairing combines Rielly’s offensive capabilities with Hakanpää’s defensive strengths.
- Hakanpää and T.J. Brodie: Both players offer a balanced approach, providing both physicality and skating ability.
Benefits of the Signing
Signing Jani Hakanpää provides several benefits to the Toronto Maple Leafs:
- Defensive Stability: His addition is expected to create a more stable defensive unit, crucial for playoff contention.
- Improved Player Confidence: With a solid partner, younger defensemen may perform at their best, contributing to overall team success.
- Fan Engagement: Hakanpää’s style of play is likely to resonate with fans who appreciate physical and tactical hockey.
Practical Tips for Fans to Follow Hakanpää’s Progress
As the season progresses, fans can stay updated on Hakanpää’s contributions by:
- Following the official Toronto Maple Leafs website for game updates and player statistics.
- Engaging in social media discussions to gauge fan sentiment around the team’s defensive strategies.
- Attending games or watching broadcasts to see Hakanpää’s impact on the ice firsthand.
Case Studies of Similar Signings
Historically, several teams have made successful defensive signings similar to the Maple Leafs’ acquisition of Hakanpää. For example:
- Brendan Dillon to the Winnipeg Jets: After joining, Dillon provided a much-needed physical presence and steadied the Jets’ defense.
- Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche: Toews’s addition proved pivotal in bolstering the Avalanche’s defensive unit, contributing significantly to their playoff run.
Fan Reactions and Expectations
Upon the announcement of Hakanpää’s signing, fan reactions have been largely positive:
- Optimism for Defensive Improvement: Many fans are hopeful that Hakanpää’s presence will lead to a more robust defensive performance.
- Excitement for Playoff Prospects: Supporters are enthusiastic about how this signing could help the Maple Leafs advance further in the playoffs.
Conclusion
As the Toronto Maple Leafs look to refine their defensive lineup, the signing of Jani Hakanpää presents a strategic move aimed at enhancing their performance on the ice. With his experience and skill set, Hakanpää could play a crucial role in the team’s ambitions to secure a deep playoff run this season.
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