Questions Once Again Surrounding Maple Leafs Defenseman Jani Hakanpaa
A slew of healthy scratches for Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa leading to questions about his overall health.
Despite the Maple Leafs maintaining the top spot in the Atlantic Division with a 14-7-2 record, questions persist about their lineup, particularly with the team's ongoing injury issues.
One area of uncertainty involves newly-signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa and his surgically repaired knee.
The 6'7 blueliner signed a one-year deal with the Leafs this offseason, after concerns were raised about his health and whether he was fit to play. However, after the projected lineups were released ahead of Saturday's match against Tampa, Hakanpaa was once again the odd man out, remaining a healthy scratch for a fourth consecutive game, fueling further speculation about his health.
Hakanpaa has only appeared in two games with the Maple Leafs after playing two AHL games with the Toronto Marlies on a conditioning stint.
When he has played, Hakanpaa has showcased the type of defensive play that head coach Craig Berube values -- tough, reliable, and hard to play against. Yet, despite his solid performances, he has not been able to secure a regular spot in the lineup.
If Hakanpaa's absence is not injury-related, it may be a reflection of the strong play of Conor Timmins, who has been a standout on the Leafs' blue line this season. Timmins' impressive play has been so effective that the Leafs felt comfortable trading former defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the San Jose Sharks earlier in the season.
For the sake of the player and the depth of the team, the obvious hope is that Hakanpaa is healthy. However, for a player that this team hunted for most of the summer, it certainly does seem odd that he's not playing on a nightly basis if he's healthy.
