Hakanpaa, not yet cleared to play, signed a one-year, $1.47 million deal with the Maple Leafs last week.
Jani Hakanpaa was all smiles as he addressed reporters for the first time as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Signed to a one-year, $1.47 million contract last week after months of speculation over the health of his knee, Hakanpaa will speak with Leafs conditioning staff on Tuesday to figure out when he can join the ice with his teammates on the ice.
"You’re itching. You’re itching at this time. We put a lot of work into all of that so we’re getting close but now just put the finishing touches on it and get back out there," Hakanpaa said while speaking at the Leafs' annual golf tournament.
Hakanpaa didn't join his club on the links on Monday at RattleSnake Point Golf Club.
"My golf bad is actually bad so that’s the biggest thing, to be honest," he joked.
The 6-foot-7 defenseman had been linked to the Maple Leafs since July 1. Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke about the player when talking to reporters about the type of contributions to be expected from the Finnish player. But questions over Hakanpaa's status permeated all summer as the player was not officially signed until finally putting pen to paper last week.
Despite the uncertainty, Hakanpaa never had doubts that his playing days were done.
"In my mind, It’s been clear that I’m going to get back and the team I had around me back home in Finland had the same thoughts," Hakanpaa explained. "That was the biggest key just to have people around me that trusted as well. And then obviously it’s a little bit of a rollercoaster almost.
"There’s good days, bad days, but I think that underlying trust that it’s going to happen eventually always been there."
It was reported during the summer that Hakanpaa's knee was "bone-on-bone". The player explained it's just a matter of getting it used to particular movements.
"I think it’s more of just finding ways to do stuff off the ice to support it the best we can and just cut out a bunch of stuff that’s not really good for it and just kind of, it’s more learning what’s good and what’s bad for it and sticking with the good stuff."
Hakanpaa had two goals and 10 assists in 64 games with the Leafs last season with the Dallas Stars. Chris Tanev, who signed a six-year deal with the Maple Leafs and spent a portion of his season in Dallas playing with Hakanpaa, is a fan.
"Hak's amazing, huge, works really hard, super nice guy. I think he's a really good player. So I mean, obviously happy to have him here with me," Tanev said. "I mean, I was only played with him for maybe two weeks before he got hurt, but really good player, really good person. I obviously can't say enough about him."
