3 reasons why Jani Hakanpaa may be Toronto Maple Leafs' worst signing of the season 

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa this offseason with hopes of adding a towering presence to their blue line. However, the signing was seen as questionable, at best, given Hakanpaa’s injury history.

In particular, Hakanpaa sustained a significant knee injury last season while playing with the Dallas Stars. The injury was serious enough to be considered career-threatening. Still, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving took a chance on Hakanpaa, signing him to a one-year, $1.47 million deal.

While Hakanpaa deserves credit for working hard to get back into playing shape, his recent landing on injured reserve has raised questions about why Toronto signed Hakanpaa in the first place.

Here’s a closer look at three reasons why Jani Hakanpaa may be the Leafs’ worst signing this season.

3 reasons why Jani Hakanpaa may be Toronto Maple Leafs’ worst signing this season

#3. Leafs took a flier on an oft-injured player

Hakanpaa’s injury history should have raised some red flags for the Leafs this offseason. He sustained a knee injury during last year’s playoffs that required arthroscopic surgery during the summer.

The procedure attempted to repair the issues with Hakanpaa’s right knee. While the procedure was largely successful, there was no guarantee he could come back on the ice, let alone be a solid player. Hakanpaa made a strong recovery but sadly played just two games with the Leafs before landing on injured reserve once again.

There’s no timeline for his return at this point.

#2. Hakanpaa wasn’t a good blue liner to begin with

Hakanpaa’s most attractive attribute is his size. He stands at 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, making him a hulking presence on the back end.

However, Hakanpaa isn’t very mobile. He’s the typical stay-at-home defenseman who doesn’t skate very well. He doesn’t move the puck much either and has a minimal offensive upside. In 290 career games, Hakanpaa has 45 goals through 15 points.

While not terrible numbers, they aren’t overwhelming, especially for a blue liner pegged on the top pairing with Morgan Rielly. The Leafs would have expected more from Hakanpaa beyond being a mere towering presence.

#1. Cap hit is too high

Initially, the Leafs had signed Hakanpaa to a two-year, $3 million deal. However, issues with his physical delayed the contract’s official announcement. As the summer went by, Hakanpaa never signed that deal. Instead, he signed a one-year, $1.47 million.

Given Hakanpaa’s injury history and limited upside, the cap hit is far too high. The Toronto Maple Leafs should have signed Hakanpaa to a league-minimum deal. That way, the club could bury the contract in the minors if need be.

Now, unless Hakanpaa goes back on LTIR, the Leafs are stuck with his cap hit and nowhere to put it. That situation alone makes the Jani Hakanpaa signing the worst one this season. Fortunately, he’s only on the books for one season.

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