The Toronto Maple Leafs appeared to secure the services of Dallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa on the first day of the NHL free-agency period, reportedly signing him to a two-year deal worth $4 million.
But in a twist of fate, it’s looking more and more like things may not actually work out between the two sides. The reported deal has yet to be formally announced by Toronto, and it’s a distinct possibility that his career could be finished owing to a knee injury for which he underwent surgery in March; he’s not played since then.
And a recent photograph of Hakanpää is being interpreted by many on social media as being a subtle hint that he won’t actually be suing up for the Leafs after all. Hakanpää was pictured during a charity golf event posing with a fan while wearing a Stars sweater, not of the Leafs:
In 288 career NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes and Stars, Hakanpää has scored a total of 15 goals and 30 assists.