Jani Hakanpaa spoke with reporters for the first time this week to address his ongoing knee injury that delayed his signing with the Leafs ahead of training camp.

Since he reportedly signed with the Leafs on July 1st, there had been constant concerns about Hakanpaa’s knee injury, which the player himself addressed for the first time Monday.

Hakanpaa is in Toronto ahead of training camp, which not many people believed would happen until he finally signed a standard player contract last week.

Hakanpaa underwent surgery earlier this year and has since been recovering, but has believed that he would be playing this upcoming season from the beginning despite the intense rehab.
“In my mind, It’s been clear that I’m going to get back… it’s a little bit of a roller-coaster almost. There’s good days, bad days, but I think that underlying trust that it’s going to happen eventually has always been there”
In terms of getting back on the ice, Hakanpaa is still awaiting word from Leafs medical staff, who he will meet tomorrow, but is hoping to be back on skates very soon.
“Hopefully as fast as possible. You’re itching. You’re itching at this time. We put a lot of work into all of that so we’re getting close but now just put the finishing touches on it & get back out there”
 

The 6’7, 222-pound blueliner is an intimidating player on the ice, and not just because of his size. Over 288 career NHL games, the Finland native has 898 hits to go along with 453 blocks and is bound to add a needed toughness to the Leafs’ blueline when he is healthy and ready to play.

By the sounds of things, Hakanpaa may begin the year either on LTIR or as the Leafs’ 7th defenseman while he gets back up to speed. However, if he can get back onto the ice in the coming week or two, I suppose anything is possible in terms of a potential return prior to the start of the regular season.