Hakanpaa has been wearing a red non-contact jersey while skating with Connor Dewar (shoulder), and at times, Toronto's third group at camp.
When the Maple Leafs continue to ramp up next week for the regular season, the hope is that Jani Hakanpaa will skate with the main groups.
The defenseman hasn't skated with Toronto's top two groups since training camp opened up due to his recovery from knee surgery which occurred at some point this past spring.
He signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs worth $1.470 million on Sept. 11 after the team sorted through his injury throughout the summer.
Hakanpaa has been skating with Connor Dewar — who underwent shoulder surgery in the summer — throughout the opening days of training camp (wearing a red non-contact jersey).
The two have also skated with the Marlies-bound third group, at times, throughout the last week. Last week, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said he hoped Hakanpaa would skate with the main groups this week, however, that hasn't happened.
"He's getting better. He's actually doing well," said Berube last week. "I talk to him daily about his situation and how he's feeling and where he's at. He's getting better. I think it's close."
The Toronto head coach addressed the situation further on Saturday, saying once again, that the hope is to see him in practice with the main group to start next week.
"We're hoping. He's done really well. There was a process when he got here, and I think the process has been going well, and hopefully, we get him in our group to start here this week."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfZrHG4112o[/embed]
Hakanpaa spent last season with the Dallas Stars, but his season was cut short due to a knee injury. He played 64 games, scoring two goals and 10 assists while averaging 18:39 of ice time on Dallas' defense.
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