Hakanpaa is a huge, physical, bottom-pair defenseman with nearly 300 games of NHL experience. He does not provide a lot of offense, but he hits and blocks shots at a high rate.
The 6'6" Finnish defenseman last played for the Dallas Stars, where he recorded 2 goals and 12 points in 64 regular-season games. His absence in the playoffs was significant for the team, forcing them to play with only five defensemen for most of their playoff run.
Jani Hakanpaa missed 18 games this season but led his team in hits by a margin of 86. His injury prompted Dallas to acquire Tanev as a replacement. He is known for his penalty-killing skills, physical play, and reliability in defensive zone starts.