The Maple Leafs reportedly signed the 32-year-old to a two-year deal worth $3 million. Toronto GM Brad Treliving spoke about the defender after a busy opening day of free agency on July 1, calling Hakanpaa a key penalty killer.
However, a month and a half later, the defenseman still isn’t signed, with reports saying that Hakanpaa is dealing with knee issues.
“(We’re) working through that,” Treliving said on Wednesday after presenting Auston Matthews with the Maple Leafs’ captaincy. “Today we’re dealing with this but we’ll get to that hopefully sooner rather than later.”
According to TSN and SDPN’s Chris Johnston, on The Chris Johnston Show, Hakanpaa believes he can play on his knee, however, not all involved in the matter totally agree.
“He believes he can play on his knee. But I don’t know that there’s unanimity in that opinion from those that are looking at his medical file and just concerns that, essentially, he’s got bone-on-bone. It’s not a situation that could be terribly comfortable,” Johnston said.
“What’s interesting about medical-related issues is some players do manage to play through certain things that others can’t. I mean, everyone’s bodies are different, pain tolerance, what have you. I guess the X-rays themselves are black and white, but sometimes the information isn’t black and white.”
Hakanpaa suffered a knee injury at some point last season and underwent a procedure in March. His final game with the Dallas Stars was on Mar. 16 against the Los Angeles Kings. He averaged 18:39 of ice time across 64 games with the Stars this past season.
Johnston added that the defenseman plans on resuming his hockey career, even if he needs some time to get back up to speed.
“I think it really comes down to the medical opinion, how much risk the organization is willing to take. But Hakanpaa certainly seems intent on continuing his career, feels that maybe he needs some time off but will be able to play, ultimately on that knee,” Johnston said.
“And we’ll have to find out if the Leafs feel the same way, and that’ll be determined, I suppose, if he does sign a contract or not.”
