Hakanpaa actually signs with the Leafs [1 year, $1.47mil AAV]

[cw]

Or we actually follow through on a Robertson+Liljegren/Jarnkrok package for a 3C.

I really just don't see a team giving up their 3C a week or whatever prior to training camp.

The one possible option is still Ross Colton in Colorado. A Kampf+ for Colton swap would interestingly enough give Colorado just barely enough cap space to eventually activate both Landeskog and Nichushkin when they're ready to return. Problem of course is the Leafs can't afford Colton at his full $4mil but Colorado also can't take on any more cap hit. So we'd need to move additional pieces elsewhere or get a 3rd team to retain on Colton. But he's got 3 more years on his deal so retaining on that could be pricey.

Ultimately I think the only cap move will be eventually moving the newly signed Robertson and just starting the season with what we've got from there.

In the scenario Pacioretty, Cowan, Minten & Lorentz don't make it, they would still have cap trouble after cutting Robertson loose.
They would probably have to dump one more: Timmins 8th dman or a forward

I can't get too wrapped up in this because there are so many possibilities.
I'd like to see them play a bit

 

[Zee]

Bone on bone shout out to Steve Simmons with this signing. (Please be healthy)

 

[CarltonTheBear]

In the scenario Pacioretty, Cowan, Minten & Lorentz don't make it, they would still have cap trouble after cutting Robertson loose.
They would probably have to dump one more: Timmins 8th dman or a forward

I mean yeah I think it's a fair assumption to count Timmins as a goner right now, either through trade or waivers or demotion. It'd be nice to get him on the Marlies to keep as depth, but if not I don't think anyone should be too pressed about losing him. After that they'd be $30k under the cap ceiling with a 13F/7D/2G roster including Robertson.

 

[dappleganger]

All signs point to Timmins not being on this team in 24/25.

 

[cw]

In the scenario Pacioretty, Cowan, Minten & Lorentz don't make it, they would still have cap trouble after cutting Robertson loose.
They would probably have to dump one more: Timmins 8th dman or a forward

I mean yeah I think it's a fair assumption to count Timmins as a goner right now, either through trade or waivers or demotion. It'd be nice to get him on the Marlies to keep as depth, but if not I don't think anyone should be too pressed about losing him. After that they'd be $30k under the cap ceiling with a 13F/7D/2G roster including Robertson.

Unless they flip Liljegren (as some have speculated)
I have mixed feelings on that because he's kind of young and played well when Rielly was out.
I'm not convinced he has hit his peak.

 

[cw]

TSN: Treliving on where Pacioretty, Hakanpaa and Robertson stand ahead of Leafs camp

"It's been a whole summer project," Treliving acknowledged.

Hakanpaa missed the end of last season due to a knee injury, which led to questions about his longterm health.

"We had Jani in town here earlier in the summer for a bit of time," Treliving revealed. "Our performance staff went out there [to Finland] two or three times. It was him going through his rehab. We're obviously to a point where he and us feel confident, and we'll see how it goes."

Hakanpaa gives the Leafs another right-shot option on the back end and is expected to bolster a penalty-kill unit that finished 23rd overall last season.

"There's certainly always risk with any person coming off an injury, but he's put in a lot of work really since he had surgery," said Treliving. "He had a scope on his knee I think in March, went through sort of healing and then rehab, but he's doing well. And now we'll get our hands on him on an every-day basis and kind of see where it goes."

Again, the Leafs did significant due diligence over the summer.

 

[cw]

I was thinking about this.
Injuries happen. They're stuck with the cap limit.
They don't have a solid NHL dman who is waiver exempt.
They want depth.
This season is all about what they do in the playoffs.

Why does Hakanpaa have to start on the roster?
Why does his bone on bone knee have to play 82 regular season games?
They need to get him fit for the playoffs and want him for the playoffs.
Why couldn't he start on LTIR for 10 to 20? games ... until someone gets hurt which they probably will.
His bone on bone knee could justify nearly any medical report they'd need for LTIR.
He could dabble with some conditioning with the Marlies.

It gives them more cap space in the short term. More depth. More time to shake out the roster.
Saves wear and tear on Hakanpaa.

I'd be giving that serious consideration under the circumstances.

 

[Zee]

Full disclosure I use Hakanpaa's name interchangeably in the Billy Joel song "Moving Out" when he sings "Who needs a house out in Hackensack"