Yahoo Sports ‘That’s A Tough Timeline For Me To Give You’: Jani Hakanpaa Rejoins Maple Leafs Practice, Coach Craig Berube Stresses Defenseman Needs More Time Before Return To Game Action
In the first four months of the season for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa, there has been plenty of uncertainty and, unfortunately, rehabilitation.
However, working through his second knee procedure in as many months, the defenseman took a significant step forward on Monday by rejoining the Leafs’ practice. It marked the towering 6-foot-7 defenseman’s first full session with the team since his surgery in December.
Hakanpaa skated as the eighth defenseman at the Ford Performance Centre, paired with Marshall Rifai.
Jani Hakanpaa is practicing with the #Leafs. First time he is participating in an actual practice with the club since his procedure on his knee following his 2nd game this season. @BodogCA pic.twitter.com/aRUxhhKhTR
— David Alter (@dalter) January 13, 2025
While the sight of Hakanpaa back on the ice does offer some hopefulness, both the player and head coach Craig Berube emphasized that there’s still work to be done before he’s ready for game action.
“I don’t know how close he is, to be honest with you,” said Berube after the on-ice session on Monday. “I think this is a good step in the right direction having him out there and practicing. He’s going to need some more practice time, for sure before he’s feeling like he’s ready to go.”
“That’s a tough timeline for me to give you on that one,” he added.
The 32-year-old has been limited to just two NHL games this season, debuting with the Leafs on November 13 against the Washington Capitals before appearing again three days later in an overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers – registering two shots on goal, four blocked shots and one hit over those games.
Following that game, lingering knee issues forced Hakanpaa to undergo a second procedure, sidelining him for the next 25 games to Monday’s date.
“I just thought that could be the best thing I could do at the time,” Hakanpaa stated, referencing his second knee procedure. “Just kind of help it, help with the longevity of it. That was really the thought behind it. Just trying to build on it. I think it was the right decision at the time.”
Hakanpaa has battled knee problems throughout his career. Despite these setbacks, the Maple Leafs signed him to a one-year, $1.47 million contract in September, hoping his size and physicality would help bolster their blueline. However, his injury troubles have kept him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) for much of the season.
“Pretty good. It’s always fun to get out there with the guys,” Hakanpaa said after his return to on-ice practice. “I think the thing I’ll take out of it is just being back out there again, you know? I had a few laughs and some a time on the ice. The coaches are good here, the guys that I’ve been skating with it's been good.”
So how close is he to being ready to return to game action?
“I guess time will tell,” said Hakanpaa. “Take it day-by-day here and just keep building.”
The Kirkkonummi, Finland-born defender was named to Team Finland's 4 Nations Face-Off roster on December 4, but it’s unclear if he’ll be cleared to participate in the event and represent his country.
“Hopefully, we get there (ready to play) before the 4 Nations,” he added.
Regardless, his potential timeline for a return remains unclear. Hakanpaa, however, remains optimistic about his progress and the support system around him – feeling like he’s trending in the right direction.
“It feels pretty good. We still have a little ways to go, but I think we’re on a really good track now, and we know what we’re doing, we know what we need to do to make it even better. I think that’s been really good,” he said.
“With the trainer, the doctors, the coaches, everything has been really good, so I think that helps a lot when everybody is on the same page and we can really dial in the things we want to do. We can do them in the gym, on the ice, off the ice, at home. We got a good package here, so I’ve been really happy about that. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to everybody that works here – they’re doing a fantastic job.”
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