Sad News: Maple Leafs Suffer Setback as Defenseman Lands on IR with Lower-Body Injury

Sad News: Maple Leafs Suffer Setback as Defenseman Lands on IR with Lower-Body Injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs have officially placed defenseman Jani Hakanpaa on injured reserve due to a lower-body injury, retroactive to November 16. While the specifics of Hakanpaa’s injury remain undisclosed, the move leaves the door open for his activation once he’s fully recovered. This update comes with little clarity on the exact nature of the injury or a timeline for his return.

In a corresponding move, the Maple Leafs have called up defenseman Marshall Rifai from the Toronto Marlies, marking his first call-up of the season. Rifai’s promotion follows a stint with the Marlies after clearing waivers and being reassigned to the AHL in early October. This shift means Rifai will take over Hakanpaa’s role on the blue line, which has primarily been at the bottom pair alongside Simon Benoit and Conor Timmins.

This injury is yet another chapter in Hakanpaa’s complicated start to the 2024-25 season. The 31-year-old had already faced setbacks earlier in the year due to a knee issue that required arthroscopic surgery following the conclusion of his 2023-24 campaign in mid-March. Despite the procedure, Hakanpaa didn’t require further treatment and inked a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs on September 11 after initial plans for a two-year contract fell through.

The Finnish defenseman made his season debut in mid-November, returning to action on November 13 after recovering from his knee surgery. He played in two games, logging a total of no points, four blocked shots, and a -1 rating. Unfortunately, it appears that Hakanpaa aggravated his injury during his second game back, and he’s now been sidelined for the last four games. His injury troubles have limited his contributions to the Leafs’ blue line, which had hoped for more stability after his offseason signing.

Rifai, the 23-year-old defenseman from Quebec, now has an opportunity to step up in Hakanpaa’s absence. Having spent the majority of his professional career with the Marlies, Rifai has been performing well this season, tallying four points and leading the AHL team with a +10 rating in 17 games. The young defenseman also brings some NHL experience with him, having made his debut last season. He appeared in two games for the Leafs, where he registered no points but posted a +1 rating with just under 12 minutes of ice time in each game.

While Rifai’s promotion provides a fresh face on the blue line, the Leafs will be hoping that Hakanpaa’s injury is a temporary setback and that he will be able to return to the lineup soon. Until then, the Maple Leafs will rely on Rifai to help stabilize their defense corps.

With no specific timeline for Hakanpaa’s return, the situation remains fluid, and the team will continue to monitor his recovery closely.