Auston Matthews continues to deal with a lingering upper-body injury. Would it be best for the team and player to rest in February during the 4 Nations Face-Off?

Auston Matthews wasn't the only injured Toronto Maple Leafs player to take the ice on Saturday morning.

Joining the superstar forward was defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.

The 6-foot-7 defenseman has been limited to just two games this season before he was shut down again to undergo as Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube described as a "little procedure" on his knee in early December.

Speaking to reporters following the club's morning meeting ahead of their game against the Washington Capitals. Berube said there is no timeline for the Finnish player to return to the lineup.

"He's been skating, but he's a ways away yet."

The Maple Leafs signed Hakanpaa to a one-year, $1.47 million contract just before training camp opened in September. The signing was made following months of speculation over whether the player was healthy enough to play in the NHL after undergoing knee surgery last season while he was with the Dallas Stars.

Toronto had been hoping Hakanpaa would the the penalty-killing shutdown depth defenseman they were looking for, but his lack of availability has prompted some to speculate whether the player would return of if Toronto would explore the trade market to pick up another depth defenseman in his place.

The 32-year-old has spent parts of six seasons in the NHL where he has played 290 games, registering 15 goals and 30 assists. He was selected to Team Finland for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, which will take place in February.

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Jani Hakanpaa 'A Ways Away' From Returning To Maple Leafs Lineup