SOURCES: Maple Leafs Officially Signs a Veteran NHL Defenseman for $150.6 million contract
After months of speculation on whether or not he’d be able to play during the 2024-25 season, it appears that free agent defenceman Jani Hakanpaa has received a clean bill of health after signing with the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
This afternoon, the Maple Leafs announced that they’ve agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $1.47 million with Jani Hakanpaa.
On July 1st, it was announced that the Maple Leafs and Jani Hakanpaa had agreed to terms on a two-year contract, but the deal was never registered with the National Hockey League.
Hakanpaa suffered a knee injury late in the 2023-24 season which required surgery and it was unclear if he’d be healthy enough to play this year, which is likely why the contract was never registered.
In 64 games with the Dallas Stars last season, the Kirkkonummi, Finland native had 12 points (two goals, ten assists), 33 penalty minutes and was a plus-ten.