Nov 16, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (28) pursues the play against the Edmonton Oilers in the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was candid during his end-of-season media availability on Thursday, offering an honest assessment of the team’s shortcomings – including his own moves from the past year.
Specifically, he was open about the team’s performance and the risks that didn’t pay off, including the swing-and-miss that was defenseman Jani Hakanpaa.
“In Jani's case, we knew going into the summer and talking to him that there was risk,” Treliving admitted. “We went through that process, and we took a swing, and it didn't work out. But we'll always continue to look at if there's times to take swings, we're going to try to take swings. It didn't work out.”
The Maple Leafs signed Hakanpaa to a one-year, $1.47 million deal last offseason with the hope that his 6-foot-7, 225-pound frame would bolster a blueline looking to become tougher and more physically imposing.
On paper, the fit was there. But on the ice, Hakanpaa barely had the chance to make an impact.
He played just two games for Toronto, the last coming on November 16 against the Edmonton Oilers. He underwent minor knee surgery in hopes of returning in the second half of the season, but was placed on LTIR on December 2 and never returned to game action.
The 33-year-old also played two conditioning games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies but failed to register a point in any of his four total outings. He was initially named to Finland’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster but had to withdraw due to his recovery timeline.
Concerns about his health were well-documented during the long process it took to finalize his contract.
According to a report from Postmedia's Steve Simmons at the time, Hakanpaa’s knee was essentially “bone-on-bone with not much knee left.”
Now an unrestricted free agent, the Finnish defender’s time in Toronto is almost certainly over – his lone season ultimately amounting to a costly rehab stint.
Forward Depth. Where does it stand?
While Hakanpaa was one of the more obvious examples of a miss, Treliving’s evaluation of the roster extends far past the backend. With the season officially in the books, Toronto’s front office now turns its attention to offseason decisions, many of which lie within the team’s forward group, particularly the bottom six.
The general manager spoke heavily about a change of identity on Thursday, and although likely referring to the ‘Core Four,’ that shake-up could also come in the bottom six with a list of players who are questionable to be back in the blue and white next season.
Three names that Treliving discussed as question marks heading into the summer and their future: Pontus Holmberg, Calle Jarnkrok, and Nick Robertson.
“The future we'll see, right? I'll do a little bit of different things. I like them,” said Treliving.
Starting with Holmberg, the 26-year-old Swede recorded seven goals and 12 assists for 19 points in 68 regular-season games. As a pending restricted free agent and arbitration-eligible, he’s coming off a quietly strong season under head coach Craig Berube.
His ability to play up and down the lineup made him a useful utility option, especially in the playoffs, where Holmberg appeared in 12 of 13 games.
“Pontus sort of bounced around, we've got to determine if he is a center or is he a winger, what that contract looks like. I like the kid. He's got some heaviness. I mean, he doesn't get pushed out of heavy games in the playoffs,” said Treliving.
Holmberg’s qualifying offer sits at $866,250, and while he’s likely due for a raise from his two-year, $1.6 million contract, the Leafs must determine where he fits long-term – both in position and in the budget.
Jarnkrok, meanwhile, is entering the final year of a four-year, $8.4 million contract he signed in 2022. The 33-year-old missed most of the 2024-25 season due to groin and sports hernia issues but returned in early March. He managed just one goal and six assists in 19 regular-season games and a single assist in 12 playoff appearances.
“Calle, When did Calle start playing? The last six weeks of the season, maybe or something like that. It was a tough year for him. He was out all year. So it's a hard one to really evaluate,” said Treliving. “Jarny's a smart player."
He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025-26 season. There were rumblings last summer that the club might try to move off Jarnkrok’s deal to free up cap space. It’s a possibility that could resurface again, but we’ll see.
Then there’s Robertson, whose situation remains complex.
After requesting a trade in June 2024, he returned to Toronto on a one-year, $875,000 deal and went on to post career highs in games played (69), goals (15), and average ice time (12:00). Yet despite clear growth and improved two-way play, the 23-year-old never quite earned consistent trust under Berube. He was scratched for 10 of Toronto’s 13 playoff games, recording two points (1G, 1A) in the postseason.
“I give Robbie a lot of credit,” Treliving said. “He gets stretches. He can shoot the puck. His challenge is just becoming a regular. You can always debate that. Is it opportunity? And then it comes, or do it more regularly to get more opportunity.”
Robertson is also an arbitration-eligible RFA. His qualifying offer is $918,750, and while a return isn’t off the table, a trade or bridge deal also seem like realistic options. However, it’s unclear whether either side sees a clear future in Toronto.
“Those are all three guys we've got to kind of determine,” Treliving said when asked about all three depth forwards. “All three players, where do we go for it? Again, not to be elusive. I don't know.”
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