Maple Leafs Sign Jani Hakanpaa... Finally

Over two months after "agreeing" to a contract, the Toronto Maple Leafs have finally put the finishing touches on a deal with hulking defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.

Jani Hakanpaa signs with TOR for 1x$1.47M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 11, 2024

🖊 We’ve signed defenceman Jani Hakanpää to a one-year contract
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 11, 2024

It's a one-year deal worth $1.47 million, as opposed to the two-year, $1.5 million AAV that was reported at the time of the alleged original agreement.

The Leafs and their medical staff have been doing their due diligence since July 1st, trying to determine the true nature of Hakanpaa's knee injury that ended his season with the Dallas Stars in March.

Some reports have said that his knee is "bone on bone", and others were suggesting that Dallas insiders were speculating that he might not be able to play again.

But obviously, the Leafs doctors have come to the conclusion that the 32-year-old is worth the risk, and the player himself says he should be good to go.

The 6'7" Hakanpaa will be a huge addition—pun intended—to the Leafs' blueline depth, in whatever role he's able to take on. Last season, the five-year veteran delivered 196 hits in his 64 games played, a total which would have ranked him 3rd on the Buds, and his 123 blocked shots would have ranked him 4th.

He had played 82 and 80 games in the previous two seasons with the Stars, registered well over 200 hits per year.