Toronto Maple Leafs acquire towering 6-foot-6 defenseman Jani Hakanpaa
NHL insider Darren Dreger is reporting today that the Toronto Maple Leafs are signing defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.
Dreger disclosed this information just moments ago, but the team has not yet confirmed it.
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.
He is not a factor in most fantasy leagues, but can be of service as a spot-starter if you need immediate hits/blocks.
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.
Although he might not make a major impact for the Leafs, he adds valuable depth and brings a physical presence that has been lacking in recent years.
Elliotte Friedman reports that the deal is for two years, with a $1.5 million cap hit. Stay tuned today as the Leafs and Brad Treliving continue to make moves.
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.
Source: Hockey Patrol
Toronto Maple Leafs sign 6-foot-6 big defenseman Jani Hakanpaa
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 1 | 213 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs acquire towering 6-foot-6 defenseman Jani Hakanpaa Do you think Jani Hakanpaa will be a good asset for the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 131 | 61.5 % |
| No | 82 | 38.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
