Almost everything general manager Brad Treliving touched turned to gold in his second year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His measures, including the hiring of a new coach, put the Leafs in first place in their division. They lead the defending champions and Treliving’s work has played a major role in helping them get there.
But everything didn’t go well. The signing of defender Jani Hakanpaa for $1.47 million is a good example. One hockey analyst believes that’s the only blemish on Treliving’s resume this year.
In Jonas Siegel’s latest column on The Athletic, the analyst finds Hakanpaa, who hasn’t played since mid-November and has just two games under his belt all year, under the heading “doesn’t ‘do not train’.
“The 32-year-old has recently been on the ice working regularly with player development coach Denver Manderson, but he hasn’t participated in practice in a month,” the analyst said. “Hakanpaa was a flying pilot when the Leafs finally signed him in the fall to a one-year deal, not the two-year deal prematurely announced in July.”
According to Siegel, Hakanpaa’s signing was initially controversial due to knee problems, and “the first half of the season did nothing to allay those concerns.”
The NHL insider said concerns have only increased given the lack of playing time and the apparent slowness with which he plays when the defenseman is healthy. Siegel said it could be “huge” if Hakanpaa returns to form, but that doesn’t seem likely.
NHL Insider Praises Brad Treliving’s Addition of Chris Tanev to Maple Leafs
Brad Treliving has made the decision to sign a six-year contract with defender Chris Tanev. So far, this move has aged like fine wine for the Maple Leafs in many ways.
What is crucial, especially compared to Tanev’s peers, is the number of matches he has played. While Auston Matthews, Anthony Stolarz and others have been injured, Tanev has not.
“Tanev has played all but one match. It’s only half a season of a six-year contract. A full decision on his contract, which expires in 2030, won’t come for some time. But at first he was excellent,” Jonas Siegel said.
Tanev leads his teammates in shots, scoring chances, high-danger chances, high-danger goals and expected goals at five-on-five.
Edited by Krutik Jain
