Jani Hakanpaa remains uncertain about potential playoff status as season winds down

It’s become a season of ‘what if’ for Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jani Hakanpaa.

The towering blueliner has only appeared in two games this season in November, and has been trying to claw his way back into the lineup. Hakanpaa spoke after practice on Friday, and shed some light on if he’s going to make a triumphant return for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“That’s a tough one to say anything, really. It’s been trending really good in the gym, out on the ice, and off the ice. Hopefully, we get there. We’ll see,” Hakanpaa said via TSN’s Mark Masters.

The Maple Leafs went against the grain last offseason when they signed Hakanpaa, even though there was a lot of uncertainty around his medical status for the season due to a lingering knee injury. Hakanpaa remains hopeful he can be an option at some point for the playoffs, but considering how much time he’s missed, it is a risk head coach Craig Berube may wind up avoiding.

Toronto is without fellow defencemen Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson for Saturday’s contest and will play with just five defencemen. Hakanpaa was a participant in Saturday’s optional skate, but it would be a practical impossibility to add him back into the lineup due to salary cap and roster restrictions. Although he’s been able to skate in practice sessions, it remains to be seen whether he can progress well enough to play against NHL competition this season.

While Hakanpaa isn’t certain he’ll feel strong enough to jump into playoff action, he’s content with the progress he’s made to this point.

“Pretty good spot right now, been making some good improvements. Getting back out there with the guys has been good,” Hakanpaa said. “Slowly working our way towards playing again here.”

The Maple Leafs signed the 33-year-old Hakanpaa to a one-year contract last September, worth $1.47 million.