Just about everything general manager Brad Treliving touched turned to gold in his second year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His moves, including bringing in a new coach, keep the Leafs in first place in their division. They lead the defending champions and Treliving's work has played a big part in getting them there.
Not everything worked out though. The $1.47 million signing of defenseman Jani Hakanpaa is a good example. One hockey analyst believes this is the only blemish on Treliving's resume this year.
In Jonas Siegel's latest column in The Athletic, the analyst lists Hakanpaa, who hasn't played since mid-November and has just two games all year, under “not practicing.”
“The 32-year-old was recently on the ice with player development coach Denver Manderson for routine skating work, but he has been out of practice for a month,” the analyst said. “Hakanpaa was flying when the Leafs finally signed him to a one-year deal in the fall, rather than the two-year deal that was prematurely reported in July.”
According to Siegel, Hakanpaa's signing was initially controversial due to knee problems, and “the first half of the season did nothing to alleviate those concerns.”
The NHL The insider said the concerns are heightened given the lack of playing time and the apparent sluggishness with which the quarterback has played when healthy. Siegel said Hakanpaa's return to form could be “huge,” but it doesn't seem likely.
NHL insider welcomes Brad Treliving's addition of Chris Tanev to the Maple Leafs
Brad Treliving has made a blockbuster move to sign defender Chris Tanev on a six-year contract. So far, the move has aged like fine wine for the Maple Leafs in many ways.
One crucial thing, especially compared to Tanev's peers, is how many games he plays. while Austin MatthewsAnthony Stolarz and others were injured, Tanev was not injured.
“Tanev played in every game except one. It's only half a season into a 6-year deal – a full decision on his contract, which expires in 2030, won't be for a while. But early on, he was great,” Jonas Siegel said.
Tanev leads his teammates in shots, goal chances, high-danger chances, high-danger goals and expected goals in five-on-five.
Edited by Krutik Jain