Battle For Roster Spot Intensifies As Jani Hakanpaa Adopts A New Strategy After Simon Benoit's Standout Game
Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa was seen taking part in skills practice, odd for a 6'7 blueliner. Is he getting worried Simon Benoit is coming for his spot?
Skills practice is a broad term. What skills exactly? You can't be expecting a 6'7 defender to be doing shootout drills.
But what he is working on is a lot of the little things as he gets back into the full swing of things.
Footwork, positioning, and learning how to better break out are all key factors of a good defenseman and often go overlooked.
So with reports coming out that Jani Hakanpaa was adding some extra to his game and working on improving some facets, is it preparation?
Or is it paranoia?
Simon Benoit's Coming For Hakanpaa
We've previously touched on Hakanpaa's return meaning Benoit's dismissal, and the free agent signing for the Maple Leafs had a long way to go before he finally made his debut.
It's been a very solid start so far, as he's added a new level of intimidation and another elite shutdown player on the brand new Maple Leafs defense.
He's also brought fans together to admire not only his defensive prowess but how his size brings a certain X-factor when it comes to his game.
Simon Benoit happened to be the odd man out for the Maple Leafs defense when Jani Hakanpaa made his season debut, and it was for good reason.
Benoit looked two steps behind and wasn't nearly as good as last season.
But Zach Whitecloud's hit on Matthew Knies must have awoken something inside Benoit, as the Leafs defenseman threw Whitecloud to the ground and started to pummel him.
It was a side of Benoit we haven't seen much this season, and it was a refreshing reminder not to mess with him.
The ultimate team player, Benoit didn't want to, or have time to think about reacting to his star winger being hit:
Not a good hit (but the officials) aren't going to go back on their call. You never really know what they're going to call. You just react.»
It was frankly pretty awesome to see Benoit jump in with no regard for himself for the sake of Knies.
He isn't a 10-year veteran and still has lots to learn himself, but showing more edge and fire has got to count for something.
It certainly will for Craig Berube, who probably saw a lot of his former self in Benoit, and no doubt had a pat on the back for his defenseman.
But this could have been the spark to ignite Benoit after rumors of him being traded or lost in the shuffle fueled his desire to get better and prove himself.
That he did, by proving he's not afraid to step in for his teammates and he's not afraid to try and take his old job back.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Jani Hakanpaa or Simon Benoit should be in the lineup? | ||
