Jani Hakanpää Faces Setback: Hopes to Play This Season Fading NEWS: Matthew Knies Expects to Ink New Deal with Maple Leafs This Summer.

Jani Hakanpää’s hopes of returning to the ice this season appear to be slipping away. The Dallas Stars defenseman, who has been dealing with a lingering injury, admitted that his chances of playing again this year are dwindling.

Speaking to reporters, Hakanpää expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that his recovery has not progressed as hoped. “It just wasn’t meant to be this year,” he said, hinting at the reality that he may not suit up for the Stars before the season ends.

The 31-year-old Finn has been a key piece of Dallas’ defensive core, providing size, physicality, and a steady presence on the blue line. However, his absence has left a gap that the team has had to fill with depth players and call-ups from the AHL.

Hakanpää last played during the 2023-24 season but has struggled to regain full fitness. While details of his injury remain somewhat unclear, it has clearly been a long-term issue that has hampered his ability to return.

For the Stars, his potential season-ending absence is a tough blow as they push for a deep playoff run. The team has managed without him so far, but his shutdown abilities and penalty-killing skills would have been a valuable asset down the stretch.

As the season progresses, Hakanpää’s focus will likely shift toward ensuring a full recovery for the next campaign. While the door hasn’t been officially closed on a return, the veteran blueliner’s own words suggest that Stars fans may not see him on the ice again until next season.