The saying “health is wealth” is especially relevant for the newest Toronto Maple Leaf, Jani Hakanpaa. The 32-year-old Finnish-born defenceman was signed on Wednesday by the Maple Leafs to a one-year deal worth $1.47 million. Before we discuss reasonable goals and expectations, let’s delve into Hakanpaa’s past. He certainly took the scenic route to the NHL, and his development was anything but linear.

Hakanpaa began his professional hockey journey with the Espoo Blues in Finland’s top league, Liiga, during the 2009-2010 season. His imposing 6’7” frame and physical style of play quickly attracted the attention of NHL scouts. His size and defensive instincts ultimately led to his selection by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

After being drafted, Hakanpaa continued to develop in Liiga, steadily increasing his ice time and taking on more responsibility with Espoo. His play was characterized by strong positional awareness, physicality along the boards, and shot-blocking ability. He also earned the opportunity to represent Finland on the international stage, notably at the World Junior Championships in 2011 and 2012. Following a strong showing at the World J’s and continued solid performances in Liiga, Hakanpaa made the leap to North America, joining the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen (St. Louis’s affiliate at the time) for the remainder of the 2012-13 season. He spent the 2013-14 season honing his craft in the AHL but never got the opportunity to break into the National. In 2015, Hakanpaa returned to Finland to play for Kärpät in Liiga, severing ties with St. Louis.

This move proved to be extremely beneficial for his career. Over the next four seasons, he became one of Kärpät’s most reliable defencemen and played an integral role during their league championship in 2018. His success in Finland cemented his reputation as a formidable defenceman, and his development during this period laid the groundwork for his eventual return to the NHL.

Once again, his strong and steady play caught the attention of NHL scouts. His physical style, defensive reliability, and experience made him an appealing option for teams looking to add depth on the blue line. In March 2019, Hakanpaa signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks, marking his return to North America and giving him another shot at the NHL.

Hakanpaa spent the majority of the 2019-2020 season with the San Diego Gulls, the Ducks’ AHL affiliate. He brought his signature physicality and defensive presence to the AHL, and his persistence finally paid off. Ten years after being drafted, he made his NHL debut on March 4, 2020, against the Colorado Avalanche. Though it was a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hakanpaa showed enough promise in his brief NHL appearances to warrant another look from Anaheim, leading to another one-year deal. In the 2020-2021 season, Hakanpaa earned a more consistent role with the Ducks, playing 42 games and solidifying himself as a reliable third-pairing defenseman. While his offensive contributions were limited, his shot-blocking ability and physical play became key assets for the Ducks. By midseason, his reputation as a tough, stay-at-home defender was growing across the league.

In April 2021, Hakanpaa was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Haydn Fleury. With the Hurricanes, Hakanpaa immediately fit into a playoff-bound team, adding size and physicality to their blue line. He played the final 15 regular-season games for Carolina and appeared in 11 playoff games during their deep run in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Hakanpaa’s ability to play a disciplined, physical game made him an important piece in the Hurricanes’ defensive system. Following the 2021 playoffs, Hakanpaa became a free agent, and the Dallas Stars signed him to a three-year contract in July 2021, worth $1.5M per season. In Dallas, he continued to provide a stable presence on the blue line, using his size to shut down opposing forwards and protect the net. His role with the Stars was that of a defensive anchor, contributing to the team’s penalty kill and adding a strong physical dimension to their defence.

Overall, Hakanpaa’s journey from Finland to the NHL has been defined by perseverance, hard work, and a commitment to playing a physical, defence-first style. While he won’t be remembered for offensive flash, his steady presence and reliability have made him a valuable asset for every organization he’s played for.

One thing we haven’t addressed is the knee injury Hakanpaa suffered in March 2024. Much has been made of the severity of this injury, but the Maple Leafs’ staff clearly feels comfortable with his health. If he can return to the player he was, he will certainly feature regularly in the lineup. While other defensemen may play more minutes than him, he would likely slot in ahead of Conor Timmins. Other defencemen who could fill a bottom-pairing role include Simon Benoit and Timothy Liljegren.

Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jake McCabe are expected to play regularly (when healthy). Benoit and Liljegren are strong candidates to play as well, but given the length of the season and the importance of Hakanpaa’s skill set, especially come playoff time, he could be relied upon more than Liljegren. My expectation is that Hakanpaa will compete for a bottom-pairing spot in training camp, and if healthy, he should have no problem playing a regular role for Toronto.

As long as Hakanpaa stays healthy and returns to his previous form, there’s no reason he shouldn’t play almost every game for the Leafs. Carolina valued him enough to trade for him during a playoff run, and when healthy, he was a regular player for Dallas. Those are two strong teams. Brad Treliving appreciates his size, and Hakanpaa fits the bill. My goal for Hakanpaa is for him to not only play regularly but also become a valuable penalty killer for the Maple Leafs.

Chris Tanev will be a key part of the penalty kill. Jake McCabe is also likely to be used in that role, and if Simon Benoit is in the lineup, he will contribute as well. Hakanpaa brings more size than all of them, and his skill set is well-suited for playing shorthanded.

Forget goals, assists, or offensive metrics. The most important statistic for evaluating Hakanpaa’s success with the Maple Leafs will be games played. Beyond that, it will be important to monitor where Toronto’s penalty kill ranks, if their goals against are reduced, and whether Hakanpaa is leading the team in hits. Those are the numbers I’ll be paying close attention to. Health is wealth and I hope to see a healthy Hakanpaa on the ice in a few weeks.