BREAKING: Maple Leafs Place Another Player on Injured Reserve as Injuries Mount

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Monday that defenseman has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to November 16. To address their injury-depleted roster, the team has recalled defenseman Marshall Rifai from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. With the retroactive designation, Hakanpää will be eligible to return as soon as he’s healthy, as the required IR minimum time has already passed.

Hakanpää has played just two games for the Maple Leafs this season, logging a total of 28:10 on ice. Signed in September to a one-year, $1.47 million deal after leaving the Dallas Stars, the towering 6-foot-7 defenseman has struggled with injuries. He missed the early part of the season recovering from a knee issue sustained late last season and debuted for Toronto on November 13. Unfortunately, a lower-body injury quickly sidelined him again, raising concerns about his durability.

Head coach Craig Berube used Hakanpää on the second penalty-kill unit, with the team hoping he could serve as a reliable shutdown option on the third pairing. His absence leaves a defense already hit hard by injuries even thinner.

Despite recent returns of Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, the Leafs are still without key players like Calle Järnkrok, David Kämpf, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, Dakota Mermis, Bobby McMann, and Jake McCabe. In the meantime, Rifai will step into the lineup. The young defenseman has had a strong start with the Marlies, recording four points in 17 games with a +10 plus/minus rating, and will look to provide some much-needed stability on the blue line.