The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have withdrawn Jani Hakanpää’s name from the injured list, so the team can name the Finnish defenseman in their lineup.
Finnish defender Jani Hakanpää his debut in the hockey NHL club Toronto Maple Leafs is close.
Hakanpää, 32, who has recovered from a knee injury, last played on March 16, when the defender was still representing the Dallas Stars. In the summer, Hakanpää moved to Toronto on a two-year contract.
The Maple Leafs face the Washington Capitals in an away game next night Finland time. Editor of the Athletic James Myrtle predicts in X that Hakanpää is already in the Canadian team’s lineup against Washington.
The Maple Leafs previously sent Hakanpää on a short loan to their AHL team, the Toronto Marlies, where the Finnish player played two games at the beginning of November.
Hakanpää has played 288 regular season games in the NHL and scored 45 points (15+30).