5 months agoToronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jani Hakanpaa (knee) and center Connor Dewar (shoulder) have been sent on a conditioning loan to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Hakanpaa and Dewar both haven't played this year due to injuries suffered before the season started. Both should have a good chance to get into the lineup once their conditioning stints are over, but both will probably play lower down in the lineup. Hakanpaa could be a good hits and blocks streamer if he gets decent minutes, and Dewar won't be fantasy-relevant.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Chris Johnston
7 months agoToronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (knee) believes he can return to action and make an impact in 2024-25. Hakanpaa has been out since March with a knee injury, and there have been fears that he might not be able to continue playing. The Maple Leafs only recently made his signing official on a one-year contract despite there being reports at the start of free agency of a two-year deal with the Finnish rearguard. "In my mind, It's been clear that I'm going to get back, said Hakanpaa on Monday. "It's a little bit of a roller coaster almost. There's good days, bad days, but I think that underlying trust that it's going to happen eventually has always been there." Hakanpaa has made 288 appearances in the NHL since making his debut in 2019-20, recording 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists) with 453 blocks and 898 hits.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Mark Masters
10 months agoDallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (lower body) will remain sidelined for Game 5 against the Oilers on Friday. The 32-year-old has yet to feature in the postseason after suffering a lower-body injury on March 16. Stars head coach Pete DeBoer hasn't ruled Hakanpaa out for the series, but he appears to still be some way off from returning. With Chris Tanev (lower body) getting hurt in Game 4, Dallas' blue-line depth is getting a big test. 20-year-old Lian Bichsel could make his NHL debut in Friday's contest.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
11 months agoDallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (undisclosed) did not practice on Monday and is considered day-to-day ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday. Hakanpaa has been out of the Stars' lineup since Game 1 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings where he suffered an undisclosed injury. It would be a surprise to see the burly d-man back in the Stars lineup early in the series given his inability to practice. If he does return, he will likely replace Alex Petrovic on the third pairing alongside Ryan Suter.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Lia Assimakopoulos
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