‘Hopefully, We’ll Get There; We’ll See’: Maple Leafs’ Jani Hakanpaa Making Progress, But Return For Playoffs Still Uncertain As the Toronto Maple Leafs inch closer to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, there’s cautious optimism surrounding the status of the return of defenseman Jani Hakanpaa — but no guarantees.

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Both players wouldn't be eligible to return in the regular season anyway because of how close the Maple Leafs are against the salary cap.

Kampf has played 59 games this season, scoring five goals and eight assists, and averaging 12:24 in that span. Pacioretty has put up five goals and eight assists in 37 games this year.

McCabe and Ekman-Larsson have been vital parts of Toronto's defense corps. McCabe has played most of his season alongside Chris Tanev on the team's shutdown pairing. He's scored two goals and 21 assists (a career high) through 66 games, plus has averaged the most ice time among Toronto players this season (21:31).

Ekman-Larsson has four goals and 25 assists this season after signing a four-year, $14 million contract with Toronto in the summer. His 21:04 of ice time per game is the fourth-most on the Maple Leafs, behind McCabe, Morgan Rielly, and Mitch Marner.

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Toronto clinched the Atlantic Division title on Tuesday with their 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres. According to several reports, Game 1 against the Senators is set for Sunday inside Scotiabank Arena.

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