Hakanpaa has returned from a two-game conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and will make his Maple Leafs debut on Wednesday night. The 32-year-old Hakanpaa, in his first season as a Maple Leaf, missed an extended portion of last season with the Dallas Stars due to injuries that continued into the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign. Simon Benoit will be a healthy scratch, allowing Hakanpaa to draw into the lineup.
