Enniskillen
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- Jan 16, 2021
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He was alright for the first game. Dude is a fighter, let him adjust to Berube’s system.
Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign defenceman Jani Hakanpää (1 year, $1.47M) (official)
- Thread starter SprDaVE
- Start date
Ianturnedbull
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Gary Nylund
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- Oct 10, 2013
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CabanaBoy5
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He skated quite well for a guy 6'7" on a wonky knee. Let's give him time to adapt and then judge but I think he can help us as much if not more than Benoit or Timmins.
I think we still need one more piece.
Rielly - Tanev
OEL - ????
McCabe-Hakanpaa
Timmins and Benoit are ok as a 6/7 D but I wouldn't complain about an upgrade in the top 6.
He looks like crap so far, slow, immobile and bad with the puck. Only played 12:34 last night and Rielly also struggled with him 5v5. Benoit wasn't doing great but Hakanpaa is clearly not 100%, why are they rushing him in?
Maple Leaf
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- Sep 18, 2009
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Are they rushing or he just bad
1specter
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- Sep 27, 2016
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His possession numbers were bad but from an xGF standpoint he actually rated out pretty well, which kinda makes sense. He's not super mobile right now and is struggling with the puck however he's still effective at taking away the dangerous scoring areas and boxing out guys with his size and reach.
TMLBlueandWhite
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- Feb 2, 2023
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This guy really needs to pick it up soon.
He was the worst player on the ice again last night. For both teams. If he's still not ready to be playing they need to give him more time.
Because right now he stinks.
Hakanpaa doesn't bring anything to the table Benoit already does. It was a redundant signing of a number seven defenseman. That money would have been better allocated to someone healthy who could actually make a difference.
Hakanpaa makes a difference but not in a positive way.
I love my big bruising heavy hitting defensemen. But this signing could ever only have turned out questionable at best. At worst it's another anchor added to the ones like Domi, Reaves, and Kampf already on the team.
Another game like these last two and Hakanpaa should be switching spots with Benoit.
He was the worst player on the ice again last night. For both teams. If he's still not ready to be playing they need to give him more time.
Because right now he stinks.
Hakanpaa doesn't bring anything to the table Benoit already does. It was a redundant signing of a number seven defenseman. That money would have been better allocated to someone healthy who could actually make a difference.
Hakanpaa makes a difference but not in a positive way.
I love my big bruising heavy hitting defensemen. But this signing could ever only have turned out questionable at best. At worst it's another anchor added to the ones like Domi, Reaves, and Kampf already on the team.
Another game like these last two and Hakanpaa should be switching spots with Benoit.
TMLBlueandWhite
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- Feb 2, 2023
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The Leafs should have given Hakanpaa more time in the AHL for conditioning.
They have up to ten games. There was no need to rush him. Let him get his confidence up beating on some chumps in the minors.
Right now if he's ever gonna be the difference between winning or losing it will probably only be the latter.
The Shadow
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- Feb 9, 2013
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I don’t see the reason for overreaction here. Give him 8-10 games and then start to panic
I’m happy that they are trying things and looking to get better.
I’m happy that they are trying things and looking to get better.
Macallan18
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- Aug 10, 2015
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because this is as good as it gets.
Don't expect him to play another season.
he will never be mobile again. He has no knee left
Ianturnedbull
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"Mobile" is not every player's game. Big defensemen like Hedman are rare. Bogosian was not exactly mobile. Hal Gill was not mobile when he won a cup with PIT.
The question is can he play to his ability well enough. Does he have the ability to play 12 min. on the bottom pairing, limit his mistakes, stop the cycle, block shots, check, kill penalties, etc.
If he cannot, then so be it. We have some depth this year. We are not counting on this reclamation.
The question is can he play to his ability well enough. Does he have the ability to play 12 min. on the bottom pairing, limit his mistakes, stop the cycle, block shots, check, kill penalties, etc.
If he cannot, then so be it. We have some depth this year. We are not counting on this reclamation.
Stephen
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- Feb 28, 2002
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I don't get the urgency and negativity. If he's not up to snuff he goes back in the pressbox and rebuilds his game in practice. If he doesn't get better they don't use him.
Maple Leaf
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ViewsFromThe6ix
Zachary on the Attackary
I don't understand this obsession with speed. Hakanpaa is 6'7. He doesn't need to be McDavid. He needs to put himself in good spots and his reach will take care of the rest. Give it a couple weeks and revisit.
This is an unhinged take.
Give it some time man.
Timmins has been excellent.
MilkofthePoppy
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Zonk
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- Jul 2, 2012
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I am not saying that you are wrong, but I am wondering where you got the ten game limit from. Hockey News says it is only three games.
