Hakanpaa Signing Signals an Impending Trade for the Maple Leafs

After months of speculation about his knee injury, the Leafs finally felt comfortable enough to sign Hakanpaa to a 1-year deal worth $1.47M.

Hakanpaa and the Leafs had previously agreed to a 2-year deal for $1.5M per season on July 1st, but concerns were raised about his career given the knee injury he had been dealing with and eventually had surgery on this past season.

For the Leafs to sign him to a standard player contract instead of a PTO indicates that they were comfortable enough that Hakanpaa will be able to play this season that it warranted a contract.

The signing also indicates Brad Treliving is working out a trade as they are currently $1M over the salary cap with 13 forwards and 8 defensemen as well as Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty on PTOs. Pacioretty is also expected to sign a contract once training camp comes to an end, meaning a subtraction from the forward group is most likely. Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf combine for $4.5M in cap space and seem to be the most logical trade pieces as there are a number of bottom-six forwards challenging for their roster spots on cheaper contracts.

With training camp set to start next week, it sounds like the Treliving and the rest of the front office are going to have a busy weekend leading into opening day.

Source: Hockey Reference
Jani Hakanpaa Stats