Hakanpaa returned from arthroscopic knee surgery, while Dewar returned from offseason shoulder surgery, both joining the Marlies on a conditioning stint.
Hakanpaa returned from arthroscopic knee surgery, while Dewar returned from offseason shoulder surgery, both joining the Marlies on a conditioning stint.
For Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar, Saturday night’s Toronto Marlies game against the Cleveland Monsters wasn’t just a matchup in the AHL – it marked the long-awaited return to action after months of recovery. Both players had been sidelined due to significant injuries – Hakanpaa had arthroscopic knee surgery from an injury sustained while he was with the Dallas Stars last season, and Dewar with offseason shoulder surgery.
Currently on bona-fide long-term injury reserve conditioning stints with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Monsters was a step closer to rejoining the Maple Leafs.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Hakanpaa told reporters at practice Monday. “It was a great feeling being back out there. Even just getting ready for a game felt really good. It was unreal. That was a big milestone for me.”
Hakanpaa, who many were skeptical of when he was signed to a one-year, $1.47 million contract by general manager Brad Treliving, was ecstatic to hit the ice surface for game action for the first time since the middle of March.
Treliving is betting on the 6-foot-7 defenseman to help bolster the Leafs’ blueline upon return with his hard-hitting, straightforward approach. Against the Monsters, Hakanpaa played on the top pairing with Marshall Rifai.
“I’ve just been over the moon with playing a game,” said Hakanpaa. “I’ll be honest with you, I was smiling all day yesterday, just having that feeling inside of me.”
Connor Dewar Scores in Return
Conversely, Dewar, who signed a one-year, $1.18 million contract with the Leafs in July, got out to a quick start in his Marlies debut. After taking a tripping penalty in the opening frame, the 25-year-old scored a goal seven seconds after coming out of the penalty box – burying a nifty forehand, backhand move on a breakaway to even the score, 1-1.
The forward added an assist on Rifai’s goal in the middle frame, collecting a two-point night in his debut while contributing on both Marlies goals. Ahead of the game, Dewar stressed a nervousness as he returned from offseason shoulder surgery, but noted that he shrugged off any second thoughts as he hit the ice.
“It was nice for the confidence,” Dewar said Monday referring to his goal. “I was a little bit nervous, but I was excited at the same time.”
“Before the game, you’re worried about that ... and then I went into the game and I felt fine. I was able to put it behind me and play hockey.”
The LTIR conditioning loan allows the pair to remain with the Marlies for up to six days and three games. According to PuckPedia, the Leafs have $3,006,562 in cap space, enough for both Hakanpaa and Dewar, but currently have a full 23-man roster.
Only appearing in one game, Treliving and Co., may be interested in exercising an extension on the loan to buy more time and give consecutive reps to players still finding their legs. All parties would have to agree to the terms and conditions. With that said, Treliving would have to make a transaction that likely comes through waivers to clear the necessary room.
Regardless, barring any setbacks, both players seem destined for an NHL return in the coming weeks. In 17 regular season games with the Maple Leafs last year, Dewar recorded a goal and four assists before adding an assist in six postseason contests for the club. With the Stars in the 2023-24 season, Hakanpaa played 64 games last season, scoring two goals and 10 assists while averaging 18:39 of ice time.