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Carolina Hurricanes: Keys to Returning to Form Against Nashville

By Matthew Nidiffer

Mar 11, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Nashville Predators center Mikael Granlund (64) skates with the puck past Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Nashville Predators center Mikael Granlund (64) skates with the puck past Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) fights Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (28) during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2021; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (10) fights Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (28) during the first period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Hakanpaa Draws In

After arriving to Raleigh a few days ago and practicing with the Carolina Hurricanes yesterday, Jani Hakanpaa is set to make his Carolina Hurricanes debut tonight.

The 6’5 defensive defenseman was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks at the NHL Trade Deadline alongside a 2022 6th round pick in exchange for Haydn Fleury, who made his debut with the Ducks last night.

Without delving too much into the nuances of the trade (Nick did an incredible job of that already), Hakanpaa fills a need as a right-handed defensive defenseman that can both shore up and complement the more offensive playing style of both Jake Gardiner and Jake Bean.

As of the writing of this article, Hakanpaa is 3rd in the NHL in hits, so it’ll be interesting to see just how his physicality shapes up in his Canes debut tonight.

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