Jani Hakanpaa's Future Uncertain: Maple Leafs Urged to Target Stanley Cup Champion Defenseman
The Toronto Maple Leafs should try and take a look at acquiring a former draft pick in order to replace Jani Hakanpaa for defensive depth.
When Brad Treliving originally signed Jani Hakanpaa, there were concerns about his health and whether he could play or not. He eventually made it back to the lineup but only lasted two games before landing back on the IR, and in order to shore up their lineup depth they should look to Luke Schenn for help.
With Nashville coming into Toronto on Wednesday night, Schenn will head back to the place he started his career way back in 2008.
The 35-year old is having a down year with the Predators, only scoring one goal so far for a struggling Nashville team who could be selling off their assets sooner than later.
Compared to Hakanpaa, Schenn would provide some consistency in the lineup and is known for throwing lots of hits and blocking shots; a big change with the addition of Craig Berube as head coach. He has 99 hits and 31 blocked shots already this season and could help Toronto solidify their entire defensive lineup.
He's also not opposed to dropping the gloves either, something Craig Berube no doubt appreciates.
Schenn wouldn't be an expensive option for Toronto either, only coming in at a $2.75M cap hit, and the fact that he offers not only a stable defensive presence but also playoff experience and a Stanley Cup means Toronto should target him as one of their top choices for a cheap option to replace Hakanpaa.
Schenn would slide in on the third pairing with Conor Timmins and allow Oliver Ekman-Larsson to take over top spot with Morgan Rielly, or if they so choose; place Schenn with Rielly and give him the shutdown defender Hakanpaa was supposed to be.
Bringing Luke Schenn back to Toronto would help them out defensively, in the playoffs, and bring a winning locker room presence and be able to offer Toronto that last bit of stability to stay strong during their Stanley Cup journey.
Toronto takes on Schenn and the Nashville Predators on Wednesday as they continue their dominance atop the Atlantic Division. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30pm ET.
| POLL | ||
Should Toronto try and target Luke Schenn to replace Jani Hakanpaa? | ||
| Yes he would be great! | 322 | 57.8 % |
| No that's a bad idea! | 235 | 42.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
