Hakanpaa has skated in full Maple Leafs practices the last two days wearing a regular jersey.
Hakanpaa has skated in full Maple Leafs practices the last two days wearing a regular jersey.
We could see Jani Hakanpaa in game action sooner rather than later.
The 32-year-old defenseman is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery in the spring, which saw him miss time with Toronto's main groups. He signed a $1.47 million contract with Toronto on Sept. 11, two months after Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving discussed the addition in July.
Hakanpaa began training camp skating alongside Connor Dewar (shoulder); however, both have since switched their red non-contact jerseys with regular ones and are now skating with the Maple Leafs' main group.
Toronto announced on Monday afternoon that Hakanpaa would begin the season on long-term injured reserve, meaning he'd have to miss the 24 days of the season.
That would make him eligible to return to game action on Nov. 2 against the St. Louis Blues.
Treliving addressed the situation on Tuesday — ahead of their regular season opener in Montreal — and said the defenseman could be ready in a couple of weeks.
"We kind of thought coming into it, it'd be a few weeks. Touch wood, there's been no setbacks. I think, you know, we're hopeful, hopeful the next, I mean, he's been practicing, but it hasn't been full, full, full contact," the Maple Leafs GM said.
"And then, we'll hopefully have a game plan here in the next couple of weeks, whether that means, you know, then maybe get him into some games with the Marlies on a conditioning [stint]. We'll see. We'll see. But [we'll have a] better read probably in the next couple of weeks."
Hakanpaa has been taking reps at practice alongside Timothy Liljegren, who's projected to be a healthy scratch with Toronto to begin the season.
The veteran defenseman played 64 games with the Dallas Stars last season, scoring two goals and 10 assists while averaging 18:39 of ice time.
Related
News from THN.com
No Demko? No Problem. The Canucks Look Ready For The Regular Season
What The Golden Knights' Reported Resolution For Lehner's Salary Means For Their Cap Space