Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa: Ready to play Wednesday
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Hakanpaa (knee) has been taken off long-term injured reserve and is expected to draw into the lineup Wednesday versus Washington, per James Mirtle of The Athletic.
Hakanpaa hasn't played yet for the Maple Leafs after signing a one-year, $1.47 million contract with Toronto in September. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in the spring. Hakanpaa had two goals, 12 points, 33 PIM, 196 hits and 123 blocks over 64 regular-season outings with Dallas in 2023-24. The 32-year-old will likely serve on the third pairing in his Leafs debut.
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Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa: Practices with NHL club
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Hakanpaa (knee) rejoined the Maple Leafs for practice Monday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Hakanpaa spent over a week with AHL Toronto on a conditioning assignment, but his return to practice with the Maple Leafs signals that he's likely nearing a return to game action in the NHL. His next chance to suit up for the Maple Leafs will be at home against the Senators on Tuesday, but the team could monitor how he feels after Monday's practice session before determining his status.
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Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa: Given conditioning assignment
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Hakanpaa (knee) will link up with AHL Toronto on a conditioning assignment, the Leafs announced Friday.
According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, Hakanpaa will be eligible to spend six days and play in up to three games with the minor-league club, though the Marlies have just one contest on the schedule over that six-day period. After suiting up for AHL Toronto against Cleveland on Saturday, don't be surprised to see Hakanpaa recalled to the NHL roster.
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Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa: Put on LTIR
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Hakanpaa (knee) was placed on long-term injured reserve Monday.
Hakanpaa underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in the spring but joined the Maple Leafs on a one-year deal in September. However, he'll have to wait to make his team debut while he continues his recovery process. The 32-year-old has recently practiced in a no-contact jersey, but it's not yet clear when Toronto expects him to return to game action.
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Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa: Inks one-year deal
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Hakanpaa (knee) signed a one-year, $1.47 million contract with Toronto on Wednesday.
Hakanpaa had reportedly secured a two-year deal back in July but that contract was never officially announced by the team, leading to speculation regarding the severity of his knee issue. It seems the two sides were finally able to come to an agreement on a one-year deal instead. The blue line in Toronto is pretty packed, from veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson to youngster Conor Timmins. As such, Hakanpaa is far from a lock to suit up for Opening Night against Montreal on Oct. 9.
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Jani Hakanpaa: Reportedly still unsigned
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Hakanpaa (knee) remains unsigned according to reports, with Leafs general manager Brad Treliving telling reporters Wednesday, "We're working through it," per Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun.
Multiple reports indicated Toronto signed Hakanpaa to a two-year, $3 million contract back in July, but the organization never officially announced the move, and the blueliner isn't listed on the official roster, per the NHL media site. Speculation has been circling that the lack of an official deal is tied to the FInn's knee injury, though the Maple Leafs have yet to comment anything beyond Treliving's brief statement Wednesday.
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Maple Leafs' Jani Hakanpaa: Gets two-year contract
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Hakanpaa (knee) signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Maple Leafs on Monday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Hakanpaa had two goals, 12 points, 196 hits and 123 blocked shots in 64 regular-season outings with the Stars in 2023-24. He didn't play past March 16 due to his knee injury, which required an arthroscopic procedure. Provided Hakanpaa is healthy, he'll probably serve on Toronto's third pairing.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Recovering from knee injury
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Hakanpaa's lower-body injury is a knee issue that required an arthroscopic procedure, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports Friday.
Hakanpaa didn't play past March 16 because of the injury. He had two goals, 12 points, 33 PIM, 196 hits and 123 blocks in 64 regular-season outings in 2023-24. Although there isn't a specific timetable for Hakanpaa's recovery, he's not expected to need further knee procedures.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Unlikely for Game 5
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Hakanpaa (lower body) is not expected to play in Friday's Game 5 versus the Oilers, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports.
Hakanpaa will miss his 31st straight game, though his absence is a bit more noticeable now with Chris Tanev (lower body) questionable for Game 5. Hakanpaa has been considered day-to-day throughout his absence, though he has not regularly skated during the playoffs.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Won't play Wednesday
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Hakanpaa (lower body) isn't expected to play in Game 4 against Edmonton on Wednesday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Hakanpaa hasn't been in the lineup since March 16, and it's unclear when he might be able to return. He had two goals, 12 points, 196 hits and 123 blocks in 64 appearances during the regular season.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Unavailable Monday
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Hakanpaa (lower body) will not be available Monday against the Oilers, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports.
Hakanpaa has not played since March 16 and there's been little update on his return status. The 32-year-old tallied 12 points in 64 games during the regular season.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Won't return Saturday
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Hakanpaa (lower body) isn't available for Game 2 against the Oilers on Saturday, per Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.
Hakanpaa hasn't been in the lineup since March 16. He had two goals, 12 points, 33 PIM, 196 hits and 123 blocks in 64 regular-season contests in 2023-24. Although coach Pete DeBoer classified Hakanpaa on Monday as day-to-day, according to Assimakopoulos, the 32-year-old defenseman hasn't been practicing, so he likely isn't close to returning.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Still day-to-day
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Hakanpaa (lower body) didn't practice Monday and remains day-to-day prior to Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday, according to Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.
Hakanpaa has missed the last 26 contests, including Dallas' first 13 playoff outings. It is still unclear when he will be available to return. If Hakanpaa can't play Thursday, Alex Petrovic or Nils Lundkvist will be in the lineup against Edmonton or Vancouver.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Unlikely to return in second round
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Hakanpaa (lower body) is not traveling with the Stars or practicing, so it's unlikely he'll play in the remainder of the second round, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reported Thursday.
Hakanpaa has been unavailable since March 16 and is effectively out on an indefinite basis until he practices. With Hakanpaa continuing to be sidelined, Nils Lundkvist is holding down a third-pairing role with minimal ice time.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Sidelined again Wednesday
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Hakanpaa (lower body) will remain on the shelf for Game 5 against the Avalanche on Wednesday, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Hakanpaa hasn't played since March 16 versus the Kings, a stretch of 24 games on the shelf due to his lower-body problem. At this point, until he shows up at practice, Hakanpaa should probably be considered out indefinitely. Even if cleared to play, the defenseman is far from a lock for a spot in the lineup anyway.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Remains out
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Hakanpaa (lower body) is not in the lineup for Thursday's Game 2 versus the Avalanche, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Thursday's absence will be Hakanpaa's 22nd in a row. The 32-year-old defenseman should be considered out indefinitely until he is cleared to return.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Out Tuesday
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Hakanpaa (lower body) won't play in Game 1 on Tuesday against Colorado in the second round of the playoffs, per Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News.
Hakanpaa hasn't played since March 16 -- he played a total of 64 regular-season games, recording two goals and 10 assists. The 32-year-old could see third-pairing usage if and when he returns to action.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Not practicing
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Hakanpaa (lower body) has yet to return to practice, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports Saturday.
Hakanpaa is likely not an option for Saturday's Game 3 or Monday's Game 4 versus Vegas, and if the Stars don't win one of those games, their season is over. Hakanpaa's continued absence will keep Nils Lundkvist in the lineup on the third pairing. Hakanpaa can be considered out indefinitely until he resumes practicing with the team.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Out Wednesday
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Hakanpaa (lower body) is expected to miss Game 2 versus Vegas on Wednesday, according to Brian Rea of Bally Sports Southwest.
Hakanpaa hasn't played since March 16 due to the injury. He had two goals, 12 points, 33 PIM, 196 hits and 123 blocks in 64 appearances during the regular season. Once Hakanpaa is healthy, he might replace Nils Lundkvist in the lineup.
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Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Unavailable for Game 1
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Hakanpaa (lower body) won't play Monday in Game 1 versus the Golden Knights, according to Stars radio analyst Bruce LeVine.
Hakanpaa also missed the final 13 contests of the regular season. He concluded the 2023-24 campaign with two goals, 12 points, 123 blocked shots and 196 hits in 64 appearances.
