Maple Leafs Activate New Defenseman After Lengthy Injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs are finally ready to see one of their free agent signing make his season debut.

Mar 14, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (2) skates off the ice after the Stars give up a sixth goal to the New Jersey Devils during the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been patiently waiting for one of their key free agent signings to fully recover from a knee injury that has kept him out for well over seven months. The wait is finally over as the Maple Leafs have activated defenseman Jani Hakanpaa from long-term injured reserve.

Hakanpaa signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs at the start of free agency, but it was quickly revealed that a lingering knee problem might be worse than expected. Some reports indicated that Hakanpaa might not be able to ever play hockey again, but after a long road of recovery, he is ready for his return to the NHL.

Maple Leafs D Jani Hakanpää has been recalled from LTIR conditioning loan and activated from LTIR.

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 13, 2024

Before making the jump to the NHL roster, the Maple Leafs gave Hakanpaa a couple of games at the American Hockey League level to help get up to game speed. Hakanpaa’s recovery sidelined him for the entirety of the Maple Leafs training camp and preseason.

The Toronto Marlies iced Hakanpaa in a pair of games for his conditioning stint.

Hakanpaa hasn’t played an NHL game since March 16 with the Dallas Stars. He played 64 games with the Stars during the 2023-24 season and scored a pair of goals with 10 assists for 12 total points.

Knowns as a shutdown defender, Hakanpaa has posted just 45 points (15G-30A) in his 288-game NHL career.

Before the Maple Leafs and Stars, Hakanpaa played with the Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks. He was originally a fourth-round draft pick (104th overall) of the St. Louis Blues in 2010.

As a right-shot defender coming off of a lengthy recovery, Hakanpaa will likely replace Conor Timmins on the Maple Leafs' third defensive pair.

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