November 11, 2024 | 5:34pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

LEAFS JUGGLING CAP AS HAKANPAA NEARS

Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving

Defenceman Jani Hakanpaa practiced with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday after returning from the AHL on a conditioning stint and could get into the lineup as early as Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators.

The Maple Leafs have some wiggle room under the salary cap due to LTIR space to accommodate Hakanpaa officially being cleared off LTIR, a move that is near.

“Hak’s still gotta get final clearance here after that, but touch wood, everything seems to be moving in the right direction on that one too,” Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving told the media on Monday after practice.

The Leafs placed recently acquired defenceman Matt Benning on waivers earlier today and if he clears, that’ll free up an extra $1.15 million in cap space. If Benning is claimed by another team, his full $1.25 million cap hit will come off the books.

Hakanpaa signed a one-year, $1.47 million contract with the Leafs in the off-season.

“It’s just (been) day-by-day. You do your best each and every day and see what the next day brings,” he said Monday. “Once you get close, it gets easier too, because you know it’s close.”

Treliving has been exploring the trade market for complete another deal to free up extra money and a roster spot, but a move beyond placing Benning on waivers appears to be unlikely at this point in time.