Months after speculation of his signing, Jani Hakanpaa has agreed to a one-year, $1.47 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old stay-at-home defenseman will join his fourth NHL team in his seventh season after putting up two goals, 12 points, 33 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus in 64 games with Dallas in 2023-24.
Hakanpaa has not played since the first game of the Stars' opening-round matchup vs. Los Angeles due to an undisclosed injury and is still considered day-to-day after not practicing on Monday. The 32-year-old appeared in 64 games for Dallas during the regular season, with two goals, 12 points, 56 SOG, 33 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus.
Hakanpaa, who missed the final 13 games of the regular season, will miss game 1 vs. the Golden Knights. With Hakanpaa still sidelined, expect Nils Lundkvist to remain on the third pair for game 1. The Stars are hopeful that the veteran blueliner will be able to return to the lineup later in round 1.
Hakanpää missed the final 13 games of the regular season and seems unlikely to play in Game 1 vs. the Golden Knights. However, the Stars are hopeful that he'll play later in the series.
Hakanpaa has played the last nine games for the Stars but his status is uncertain for Wednesday's game against the Arizona Coyotes. The 31-year-old Finnish defenseman has 12 points (2G / 10A), 195 hits, and 123 blocks in 64 games this season.
Derrick Pouliot and Alex Petrovic were recalled from the Texas Stars (AHL) on Monday morning. They will be drawn into the lineup for a Stars team without Hakanpaa and Miro Heiskanen (personal). Hakanpaa suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday's contest against the Edmonton Oilers and played only 11:47 on the ice.
Hakanpaa played until Dallas was eliminated from the 2022-23 playoffs, picking up a goal and two points across 15 playoff games played but will now have off-season knee surgery and is considered out indefinitely. The 31-year-old is coming off his first career complete 82 game season, where he picked up six goals, 10 assists, 86 SOG, 60 PIMs and a +18 plus/minus.
Hakanpaa has missed the Stars' previous three games due to a lower-body injury but was a full participant in practice ahead of Game 3 and will play in Game 3 vs. Vegas according to head coach Pete Debour. The 31-year-old stay-at-home defensemen has a goal, two points, nine SOG, 16 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 11 games so far in the playoffs this year.
Hakanpaa has missed the Stars' previous three games due to a lower-body injury but was a full participant in practice ahead of Game 3 and will be a game-time decision according to head coach Pete Debour. The 31-year-old stay-at-home defensemen has a goal, two points, nine SOG, 16 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 11 games so far in the playoffs this year.
Hakanpaa missed Game 4 due to an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision for Game 5 on Thursday after fully taking part in the morning skate. The 31-year-old defender has a goal, an assist, nine SOG, 16 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through nine games prior to his injury.
Hakanpaa was one of six Stars players added to COVID-19 protocol on Sunday and two more were added on Monday. As of right now, they are scheduled to play three games this week, starting on Wednesday but it seems likely that they are going to be postponed.
