Maple Leafs Confirm Jani Hakanpaa's New Fate For The 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament
The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally made a decision regarding whether or not Jani Hakanpaa is going to suit up for the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament.
With questions surrounding who is or isn't going to stay in the 4 Nations Face-Off whether it's due to potential injuries or focusing on the regular season, one can be definitively answered.
Jani Hakanpaa will not be suiting up for the Finnish team at the tournament as he was officially ruled out due to his nagging injury.
Hakanpaa did not join Toronto for their road trip and was still being evaluated and worked on back home.
Jani Hakanpaa Out Of 4 Nations; Timeline Unknown For Return To Maple Leafs
With Hakanpaa officially out of the tournament, it's both a positive and a negative.
On the plus side, Toronto can make sure that he doesn't get hurt in the tournament and reevaluate how things are going, plus they need him back in time for some insurance come playoff time.
On the other side, it's a sign that his recovery hasn't gone as according to plan and he's still a ways away from a return.
Hakanpaa signed initially in the summer to a two-year deal however concerns about his knee caused management to backtrack and offer a one-year pact instead. Their concerns came to fruition as after only two games played, Hakanpaa was bothered by his knee again and hasn't played since November.
He was named as part of Team Finland's roster in a shocking move as he had only played those two games and was injured for two weeks before the teams were announced.
Hakanpaa was excited too about joining the team, and was trying to use it as motivation to get healthy but clearly things got in the way.
Finland has not yet named a replacement however there are several options they can choose from including Henri Jokiharju who is potentially their best option available.
For his career, the 6'6 Hakanpaa has 15 goals and 30 assists in 290 games but also has an incredible 457 blocks and 899 hits in his six NHL seasons spent with Anaheim, Carolina, Dallas, and Toronto.
