Former Maple Leafs D-Man Jani Hakanpaa Returns to the Ice, Signs New Contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Jani Hakanpaa in the summer of 2024 despite a chronic knee issue. The big, physical defenseman managed to play in just two games for the Buds as he spent most of last season still recovering from his latest knee procedures.

But it appears that all is well (or at least as well as can be) with the 6-foot-7 d-man's health, as he has signed a contract for the rest of the 2026 season—in his native Finland.

Maple Leafs LEGEND Jani Hakanpaa has signed a one-year deal with Karpat in Finland.

Looks like his knee has finally healed. pic.twitter.com/fcxeErByGp
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) January 14, 2026

Hakanpaa spent parts of six seasons in the NHL, his most productive time coming in three years with the Dallas Stars. He averaged over 220 hits and 120 blocked shots per season with Dallas, and played over 80 games in two of those years. He also had an impressive +29 plus/minus rating.

But the big Finn didn't come to the NHL until his age-27 season. Before that, he spent four years with Karpat in Finland, and helped them to a league championship in 2018. Now he's back with the team. It should be noted, however, that his deal with Karpat does include an 'NHL out clause', which would allow him to be released should a team in the National Hockey League show interest.

Hakanpaa brings size, grit and experience to the blueline, and his massive reach makes him an intimidating presence, both upright, as a bruiser, and prone, where he takes up a ton of space on the ice to block shots.

It was back in August last summer when the 33-year-old said he had finally been fully cleared to return to hockey action after knee surgery. But no NHL teams came calling. Perhaps if he can establish himself as a healthy, viable option over in Finland, he could still get another call from North America.