Maple Leafs’ Jani Hakanpaa to train with development group, join NHLers later in camp

Toronto Maple Leafs’ head coach Craig Berube told reporters Wednesday that Jani Hakanpaa will start training camp with a group of mostly prospects, raising doubts as to whether the defenseman will be ready for opening night on Oct. 9.

Berube said the Maple Leafs will split camp into three groups — A, B and C — and that Group C will be a “development group” comprised of prospects and organization depth, adding that Hakanpaa will join the NHL group later in camp. However, if Hakanpaa isn’t ready for the start of the season, the team may be forced to place the 32-year-old on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) in order to create space in their lineup.

Toronto officially signed Hakanpaa on Sept. 11 to a one-year, $1.47 million contract. The club had been linked to the Finnish defender for most of the offseason, reportedly agreeing to terms on a two-year deal worth $3 million on July 1, but the transaction was never registered officially with the NHL.

Hakanpaa played 64 games with the Dallas Stars last season, scoring two goals and 10 assists for 12 points, averaging 18:39 of ice time per game. Through five NHL seasons, the 6-foot-7 defender has 15 goals and 30 assists for 45 points, averaging 18:02 of ice time in 288 regular-season games with the Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and Anaheim Ducks.

Hakanpaa is one of three veteran defenseman the team signed in the offseason, joining Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larrson. The Maple Leafs traded for Tanev ahead of the opening of free agency, then signed the right-handed blueliner to a six-year, $27 million contract on July 1. Toronto then signed Ekman-Larsson to a four-year, $14 million deal later that day.

Last season, the Maple Leafs went 46-26-10 with 102 points, third in the Atlantic Division and 10th in the league standings. They were eliminated in seven games by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.