Concerning report emerges regarding Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa

The Toronto Maple Leafs could potentially face more problems on their blueline this season as reports have emerged about Jani Hakanpaa's health status prior to his signing with the team.

Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was just as busy as the rest of the league this July 1st, as he made free agent additions to his team. One of those additions was former Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.

The 6'6" blueliner played 64 games for the Stars last season and tallied 12 points. He has 288 career games of NHL experience. He is a proven bottom pair defender that can punish opponents with heavy physical play.

However, a knee injury kept him out of the Stars playoff run last season and it appears as though that issue has followed him to Toronto. In fact, it appears as though this lingering issue is the exact reason why the team has not officially announced his contract yet.

Maple Leafs fans will likely not be happy to hear about the extent of this injury. Hakanpaa has had a history of knee problems dating back a full year.

Last offseason he had the chance to try and fix the problem with surgery, but he elected rehab instead. Now it seems as though he may be regretting that decision, as his knee has become a serious problem.

At this point it seems as though Hakanpaa may not be joining the Leafs after all. The team is doing their due diligence with him at the moment and they may very well find that he is not physically ready to play in the NHL again. Could this mean Brad Treliving will be in the market for another defenseman? Only time will tell.

Source: MapleLeafsDaily
Insider reveals why Jani Hakanpaa's contract hasn't officially be announced

MUST READ

38 minutes ago  |  By Chris Gerics Maple Leafs Rookie Nikita Grebenkin's NHL Debut Could Lead to Potential Suspension

1 hour ago  |  By Chris Gerics Toronto Emerges As Top Destination For New NHL Team Based On Latest NHL Player Poll

4 hours ago  |  By Chris Gerics Early Trade Candidates Emerge for the Toronto Maple Leafs That Could Be a Perfect Fit, per James Mirtle

14 hours ago  |  By Chris Gerics Matthews Knies Leaves Game After Controversial Hit Reminiscent of Ryan Reaves

15 hours ago  |  By Chris Gerics Fraser Minten Scores His First NHL Goal and It's a Beauty

16 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Washington Capitals Deliver Crushing Update on Alexander Ovechkin: The League Will Miss Him

16 hours ago  |  By Chris Gerics Dark Horse Center Emerges as a Trade Target for the Toronto Maple Leafs

17 hours ago  |  By Chris Gerics Craig Berube Reacts to the Firing of his Former Assistant by the Boston Bruins

MORE STORIES