Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly still keeping free agent signing hidden

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Josh Tupper
July 17, 2024 (3:22 PM)

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Uncertainty Surrounds Jani Hakanpää's Signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs

After an active start to the free agent market, the Toronto Maple Leafs addressed key needs in defense and goaltending. They quickly moved to secure depth signings, but one notable signing remains unconfirmed. Rumors have swirled about Jani Hakanpää's potential retirement due to a knee injury, casting doubt over his future with the team.

Leafs Latest on X has reported that Hakanpää's signing is still up in the air. Despite initial excitement, the Leafs have yet to officially confirm his addition to the roster. The prolonged delay has fueled speculation about the severity of Hakanpää's injury and his ability to continue playing.

"It's now been 15 days since the Leafs were excited to sign defenseman Jani Hakanpää. The team has still NOT confirmed the signing for Hakanpää, while they have for every other free agent they signed. It's still unknown if Hakanpää will even sign with the team due to his lingering knee injury, which could potentially force him to retire altogether. The Leafs have reportedly been doing a lot of research on the injury and want to get it right, and it's still expected he will sign with the team, but as of today, nothing has been confirmed for Hakanpää.

We'll see how it plays out in the coming weeks, I suppose."

The situation is unusual, especially since General Manager Brad Treliving acknowledged the signing in an interview. However, the official confirmation from the team is conspicuously absent from their social media channels. This discrepancy raises questions about Hakanpää's future in the NHL and whether the Maple Leafs will ultimately secure his services.

The uncertainty around Hakanpää's signing leaves fans and analysts alike waiting for a definitive answer. As the Leafs continue to monitor his injury, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Hakanpää will join the team or if his career will come to an unexpected end.

Stay tuned to see how this situation unfolds for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jani Hakanpää.

Source: Blade of Steel
The Toronto Maple Leafs are yet to make one free agent signing official