Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Gets on scoresheet with two helpers
Rotowire
Hakanpaa notched a pair of assists, two hits, two PIM and a plus-3 rating in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Lightning.
Hakanpaa went 21 games without a point to open the season. He helped out on a Jamie Benn tally in the first period and then picked up another assist on Mason Marchment's goal in the second. Hakanpaa had a career-high 16 points last season, but Saturday's effort is unlikely to spark a significant run of offense for the heavy-hitting blueliner. He's managed just 13 shots on net to go with 27 PIM, 41 hits, 41 blocked shots and a plus-9 rating through 22 outings this season.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Searching for first point
Rotowire
Hakanpaa has yet to record a point through 16 games this season.
Hakanpaa battled an injury just before the start of the season, but it hasn't stopped him from maintaining his usual role as a defensive specialist. He's yet to chip in any offense after recording 16 points in 82 contests a season ago. The 31-year-old has maintained his physical play with 24 hits, 29 blocked shots and 19 PIM to go with 12 shots on net and a plus-5 rating. Hakanpaa's defensive presence likely means he'll stick in the lineup regardless of his scoring contributions.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Good to play Thursday
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (undisclosed) is expected to play Thursday versus St. Louis, according to Saad Yousuf of The Athletic.
Hakanpaa finished the 2022-23 campaign with six goals, 16 points, 60 PIM, 224 hits and 128 blocks in 82 contests. He's set to start this season with Thomas Harley on the second pairing.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Being evaluated for injury
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (undisclosed) is undergoing evaluation for an injury Thursday, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports.
The Stars have not released any details about Hakanpaa's injury, so it's unclear if it's related to the knee issue that had him contemplating surgery over the summer. The 31-year-old defenseman can be considered day-to-day until more information is available.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Healthy for camp
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (knee) elected against having surgery this offseason and is ready to participate in training camp, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports.
Hakanpaa was initially reported to be considering surgery in June after battling with the injury during the Stars' run to the Western Conference Finals. Instead, it appears he'll be good to go from the start, though it's possible the knee may be reason for concern eventually. Hakanpaa posted 16 points, 224 hits, 128 blocked shots and a plus-18 rating in 82 games last season, a career year for the Finnish blueliner.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Will have knee surgery
Rotowire
Hakanpaa will undergo knee surgery, per Dallas radio analyst Bruce LeVine.
Hakanpaa battled the injury during the playoffs. He had a goal, two points, 16 PIM, 65 hits and 38 blocks in 15 postseason contests this year. He also missed four of six of Dallas' games from May 9-21 because of injury. Over 82 regular-season outings, Hakanpaa recorded six goals, 16 points, 60 PIM, 224 hits and 128 blocks.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Available to return
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (lower body) is an option to play in Game 3 against Vegas on Tuesday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.
Hakanpaa, who took part in the morning skate Tuesday, has missed the past three contests. He has recorded two points, 32 blocked shots and 44 hits in 11 games this postseason. If Hakanpaa returns to the lineup Tuesday, Colin Miller could be a healthy scratch.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (lower body) won't play Sunday in Game 2 against Vegas, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports.
Hakanpaa will miss his third straight contest. The 31-year-old blueliner has two points, 32 blocked shots and 44 hits in 11 games this postseason. Colin Miller has been playing alongside Esa Lindell during Hakanpaa's absence.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Game-time decision Sunday
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (lower body) will be a game-time decision Sunday for Game 2 against the Golden Knights, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports.
Hakanpaa was unable to play in Game 1 on Friday, but coach Peter DeBoer said Saturday that he has not ruled out the defenseman for Game 2. Hakanpaa has missed the last two games -- as well as three of his last five contests -- with the injury. He has one goal and one assist in 11 playoff games this postseason.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Out Friday
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (lower body) will not dress Friday against the Golden Knights, Tracey Myers of NHL.com reports.
Hakanpaa will miss his second straight game and he's missed three of the last five. The team hasn't provided much of an update on his status so Hakanpaa's timeline remains unclear. With Hakanpaa on the shelf, Colin Miller is expected to stay in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Unavailable Monday
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (lower body) is not in Monday's lineup against Seattle.
Hakanpaa missed Game 4 with a lower-body issue and he could be dealing with the same injury now. Colin Miller is back in the lineup for Game 7 on Monday.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Back in action
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (lower body) will be in Thursday's lineup against Seattle, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports.
Hakanpaa was out for Game 4 but he'll limit his absence to one game. The 31-year-old has two points this postseason and will fill a bottom-four role Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Game-time call
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (lower body) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's Game 5 versus the Kraken, Brian Rea of Bally Sports Southwest reports.
Hakanpaa skated Thursday morning after missing Tuesday's Game 4 loss to Seattle, but his status for Game 5 nonetheless won't be determined until Dallas takes the ice for pregame warmups. He's picked up two points through nine postseason appearances this year.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Injury clarified
Rotowire
Hakanpaa is sitting out Tuesday's Game 4 versus the Kraken with a lower-body injury.
Hakanpaa was a surprise absence from warmups, and now the Stars have offered a reason for it. Joel Hanley will draw into the lineup while Hakanpaa is out.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Out of action Tuesday
Rotowire
Hakanpaa (undisclosed) didn't take warmups, suggesting he won't play Tuesday in Game 4 versus the Kraken, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports.
Especially with lingering doubts about Miro Heiskanen (upper body), it would seem Hakanpaa is hurt rather than a healthy scratch. Hakanpaa scored a goal, doled out six hits and added 10 PIM in Game 3 on Sunday while seeing 20:10 of ice time, and he went only minus-1 in the 7-2 loss. The 31-year-old defenseman didn't sustain an obvious injury in the contest, but it's unclear when more information may be available.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Provides goal in loss
Rotowire
Hakanpaa recorded a goal and 10 PIM in Dallas' 7-2 loss to Seattle in Game 3 on Sunday.
Hakanpaa didn't score a marker over his previous 20 contests, and he registered just two assists in that span. His tally came early in the third frame, but it merely reduced Seattle's lead to 6-2. Hakanpaa received a misconduct penalty late in the third period. Through nine playoff appearances this year, the defenseman has a goal, two points, 16 PIM, 36 hits and 26 blocked shots.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Slings helper
Rotowire
Hakanpaa notched an assist, three shots on goal, seven blocked shots, three hits and a minus-2 rating in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Kraken in Game 1.
Hakanpaa's pass from the corner set up Joe Pavelski's fourth goal of the game on a waist-high deflection. The assist was Hakanpaa's first point in seven playoff outings. The big defenseman has added 25 hits, 21 blocked shots, seven shots on goal, six PIM and a minus-4 rating in a top-four role.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Finds assist Tuesday
Rotowire
Hakanpaa registered an assist, five shots on goal and two hits in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Hakanpaa had been limited to one goal over the previous seven games while also going minus-7 in that span. The 30-year-old set up Tyler Seguin for the opening tally at 5:45 of the first period Tuesday. Hakanpaa has enjoyed a career year with six goals, 10 assists, a plus-18 rating, 80 shots on net, 199 hits, 119 blocked shots and 54 PIM through 74 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Nets sixth goal of 2022-23
Rotowire
Hakanpaa found the back of the net in Dallas' 6-5 overtime victory over Calgary on Saturday.
Hakanpaa didn't score a goal and was limited to four assists over his previous 16 outings. Even still, with six markers and 15 points in 70 games this season, Hakanpaa has surpassed his 2021-22 finish of 12 points in 80 outings. The 30-year-old is a bigger contributor in terms of hits and blocks, recording 192 and 114 respectively in 2022-23.
... See More... See Less
Stars' Jani Hakanpaa: Showing off playmaking
Rotowire
Hakanpaa logged an assist, three shots on goal, three hits and two blocked shots in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kraken.
Hakanpaa has four assists over his last three games, making this his most productive stretch of the season. While his offense will come and go, the 30-year-old defenseman remains a physical force on the Stars' blue line. He has 14 points, 180 hits, 108 blocked shots, 67 shots on net, 46 PIM and a plus-24 rating through 66 outings in 2022-23.
