Toronto Maple Leafs, Jani Hakanpää, National Hockey League, Defenseman from

Jani Hakanpää Traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs Acquire Finnish Defenseman from the Seattle Kraken

Hakanpää Bolsters Toronto's Blueline Depth Ahead of Playoff Push

In a move that bolsters their defense ahead of the playoff push, the Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired defenseman Jani Hakanpää from the Seattle Kraken. The trade, which was announced on Monday, sees the Leafs send a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick to the Kraken in exchange for Hakanpää. Hakanpää, 30, is a veteran of 418 NHL games with the St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, and Kraken. He has recorded 107 points (20 goals, 87 assists) and 280 penalty minutes over his career. Hakanpää is a physical, stay-at-home defenseman who is known for his strong defensive play and ability to block shots. He is also capable of contributing offensively, with a career-high of 27 points in 2019-20 with the Blues. The Leafs have been looking to add depth to their defense for some time, and Hakanpää fills that need. He is a reliable defender who can play in all situations, and he should help to improve the Leafs' penalty killing. Hakanpää is also a good skater and puck-mover, which will help the Leafs transition the puck up the ice. The addition of Hakanpää gives the Leafs seven NHL-caliber defensemen, which should help them to stay fresh and healthy throughout the playoffs. Hakanpää is expected to make his Leafs debut on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres. The trade is a win-win for both teams. The Leafs get a much-needed upgrade to their defense, while the Kraken get a draft pick for a player who was not in their long-term plans. Hakanpää is a good fit for the Leafs, and he should help them make a deep playoff run this year.