The Jani Hakanpaa saga takes a very interesting turn for the Maple Leafs
For a time, the outlook between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jani Hakanpaa looked bleak, but it now this saga has taken an interesting new turn.
Hakanpaa and the Maple Leafs were originally believed to have struck a 2-year deal worth $1.5M per season back on July 1st. However, when weeks and months passed by without the deal being filed with the NHL, it appeared as though things had fallen apart before crossing the finish line.
TSN's Chris Johnston shared some interesting and positive thoughts regarding the hulking 6'7 defenseman on his podcast, The Chris Johnston Show, about what he thinks will happen during training camp.
"I've reached out to the people involved in this and don't have any 100% confirmation but it feels as though based on what I've been able to piece together that we're likely to see him at training camp," Johnston said.
The Hakanpaa contract isn't official because team doctors still don't know if he'll be ready to play, but he may join the team on a PTO (professional tryout) where everyone can see if he's healthy, firsthand.
"I still think there's a world where this happens. Obviously the central issue is his health, his ability to play, as I talked about before he ended last season in Dallas with a significant knee injury. It sounds like he believes he can play and the Leafs need to get comfortable with that too," Johnston said.
So we still don't know yet, but things are looking up. In just a matter of weeks now, we'll find out if Hakanpaa is a Leaf, or if his days in the NHL really are potentially over.
Source: Chris Johnston
Chris Johnston Podcast
Source: NHL.com
Jani Hakanpaa Stats
| POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 295 ANSWERS The Jani Hakanpaa saga takes a very interesting turn for the Maple Leafs Will Jani Hakanpaa earn a spot with the Maple Leafs in training camp? |
| Yes | 151 | 51.2 % |
| No | 144 | 48.8 % |
| List of polls |
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