Maple Leafs’ Overblown Jani Hakanpaa Jersey Controversy – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

Is everyone so thirsty for Toronto Maple Leafs news that they’re losing their minds over this minor incident? So, Jani Hakanpaa is in Finland, signing autographs like good hockey players often do. And now, Maple Leafs writers and fans are in a tizzy because he’s wearing a Dallas Stars jersey rather than a Maple Leafs jersey? 

This is one of the silliest things I’ve ever seen Maple Leafs writers engage with. Do people think that as soon as he signed with the Maple Leafs, a bunch of jerseys with his name and number magically appeared at his door in Finland? Are we that desperate for news that this clickbait nonsense captures our attention?

Hakanpaa’s Signing and the Subsequent Issues

First, let’s flashback to July 1, the official opening of the NHL offseason. Toronto’s general manager (GM) Brad Treliving spoke glowingly about the team’s free-agent signings, including Hakanpaa. There was just one problem: Hakanpaa has never officially been added to the team’s lineup.

Yes, the 32-year-old defenceman (who is huge, has defensive abilities, and could bring a solid power-play resume) reportedly signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the team. However, he was never listed on the team’s website, and his signing was never promoted on social media. The only mention of his signing was from Treliving, who praised Hakanpaa’s penalty-killing abilities and emphasized the importance of having enough defencemen.

Related: Maple Leafs’ Case for Letting Mitch Marner Leave in Free Agency

Since then, Maple Leafs writer Steve Simmonds reported that Hakanpaa might never play in the NHL again due to a severe knee injury. He described the injury as bone-on-bone. The Maple Leafs responded by saying their doctors had cleared him, but we’ll have to wait until the fall—or later—to see if he can play.

Hakanpaa’s Stars Jersey Is Making a Mountain Out of a Molehill

Fast-forward to last weekend, and Hakanpaa was spotted in Finland at a charity golf fundraiser. In a photo, he was wearing a Stars jersey. Several Maple Leafs writers seemed to believe that was a huge issue because it wasn’t the iconic Blue & White Maple Leafs jersey. They made it a big deal, asking whether Hakanpaa was a Maple Leafs player or still a free agent.