NHL analyst Jonas Siegel deems $1,470,000 defenseman as ‘not understanding’ following Brad Treliving’s second Maple Leafs offseason

Practically every thing normal supervisor Brad Treliving has touched has turned to gold in his second yr with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His strikes, together with bringing in a brand new coach, have the Leafs in first of their division. They lead the defending champions, and Treliving’s work has performed an enormous function in serving to them get there.

Not every thing has labored out, although. The $1.47 million signing of defenseman Jani Hakanpaa is an efficient instance of that. One hockey analyst believes that is the lone blemish on Treliving’s resume this yr.

Within the newest column of Jonas Siegel on The Athletic, the analyst finds Hakanpaa, who hasn’t performed since mid-November and has simply two video games below his belt all yr, below “not understanding.”

“The 32-year-old has not too long ago been on the ice for normal skating work with participant growth coach Denver Manderson, however he hasn’t participated in observe in a month,” the analyst mentioned. “Hakanpaa was a flier when the Leafs finally signed him within the fall to a one-year deal and never the two-year contract that was prematurely reported in July.”

In keeping with Siegel, Hakanpaa’s signing was initially controversial on account of knee troubles, and “the primary half of the season has completed nothing to ease these issues.”

The NHL insider mentioned the issues have solely elevated given the dearth of enjoying time and the obvious sluggishness with which he is performed when the defenseman has been wholesome. Siegel mentioned it could possibly be “large” if Hakanpaa returned to type, but it surely would not look probably.

NHL insider lauds Chris Tanev’s addition to Maple Leafs by Brad Treliving

Brad Treliving made the blockbuster transfer to signal defenseman Chris Tanev to a six-year deal. Up to now, the transfer has aged like wonderful wine for the Maple Leafs in so some ways.

One thing essential, particularly when in comparison with Tanev’s friends, is what number of video games he is performed. Whereas Auston Matthews, Anthony Stolarz and others have suffered accidents, Tanev has not.

“Tanev has performed in each recreation however one. It’s solely a half-season of a six-year deal — a full ruling on his contract, which expires in 2030, received’t come for some time. However early on, he’s been glorious,” Jonas Siegel mentioned.

Tanev tops his teammates in pictures, scoring probabilities, high-danger probabilities, high-danger objectives and anticipated objectives in five-on-five.