If Hakanpaa Can't Play, There Are Others Who Can
Free agent defenseman Jani Hakanpaa' s very reasonable two-year with the Toronto Maple Leafs still not official, but if it falls through, there are options out there
Hakanpaa suffered a knee injury in March and required season-ending arthroscopic surgery. While Toronto's doctors are confident Hakanpaa will be ready to play this fall, it is likely the deal isn't made official until they meet with him in person. It's possible he won't be cleared to play, though unlikley, given the fact that Leafs GM Brad Treliving has already publicly mentioned Hakanpaa as being a part of the team.
On the off-chance that he isn't able to play or that the deal is voided, there are still some free agent right-shot defensemen available who can help fill the void.
Kevin Shattenkirk: Shattenkirk is a veternan right shot defenseman who recently wrapped up his season playing a depth role for the Boston Bruins. In 61 games he racked up 24 points (6 goals and 18 assists). He's not a penalty killer like Hakanpaa, but he is an effective puck mover with lots of playoff experience and a good shot. Toronto's power play also needs help...
Robert Bortuzzo:A former St. Louis Blue that Craig Berube would be very familiar with, Bortuzzo is a 6'4, right shot defenseman that will seldom end up on the scoresheet (0 points in 27 games this past season), but skates well and can get the puck out of trouble. He's had injury problems but if Toronto is looking for a mean man with size, he's depth option.
Justin Schultz:Schultz is smooth skating offensive defenseman. He can fire the puck and be dangerous on the power play (7 goals and 19 assists this year), though his best years are behind him. If paired with a very defensive partner, he could be effective, but you really have to shelter him at this stage of his career.
Calen Addison:Calen Addison is the smallest defenseman on this list at 5'11 and another puck mover instead of a bruiser. He's also, by far, the youngest player at only 24. He's had an up and down career so far but has room to grow. This is the perfect kind of guy to give a PTO to if he's still out there at the end of summer.
Chad Ruhwedal:A pure depth option and right shot who can step in, in case of injury. He can move the puck well enough, but doesn't put up points and lacks Bortuzzo's size. He could be a safe, useful vet on a two-way contract, but nothing more.
There are other defenseman out there including Oliver Kylington and Marco Scandella who have valuable skills sets but are left shots. Mark Giordano and former Leaf Travis Dermott remain unsigned, though that ship has sailed. It's slim pickings out there.
Conor Timmins also remains with the Leafs, so he's certainly an internal option as well.
Source for Shattenkirk's stats: Hockey DBKevin Shattenkirk stats and bio
| POLL | ||
11 JUILLET | 354 ANSWERS If Hakanpaa Can't Play, There Are Others Who Can Who should replace Hakanpaa if he can't play? | ||
| Conor Timmins | 127 | 35.9 % |
| Robert Bortuzzo | 53 | 15 % |
| Kevin Shattenkirk | 54 | 15.3 % |
| Good god make a trade already | 120 | 33.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
