NHL analyst Jonas Siegel speculates that $1,470,000 defenseman Brad Treliving is ‘underperforming’ following his second season with the Maple Leafs.

Almost everything general manager Brad Treliving has touched has turned to gold in his second year with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His moves, including bringing in a new coach, are top of the class. They lead the defense, and Treliving’s work has played a big role in helping them get there.

Although everything failed. The $1.47 million signing of defenseman Jani Hakanpa is a good example of that. One hockey analyst believes it’s the only blemish on Treliving’s resume this year.

In Jonas Siegel’s latest column on The Athletic, the analyst finds Hakanpah, who hasn’t played since mid-November and has only two games all year, under the “not working” heading.

“The 32-year-old has been on the ice recently for regular skating work with player development coach Denver Manderson but hasn’t participated in practice in over a month,” the analyst said. “Hakanpaa was a flyer when the Leafs finally signed him to a one-year deal, not the two-year deal that was prematurely reported in July.”

According to Siegel, Hakanpah’s signing was initially controversial due to his energy issues and “the first half of the season did nothing to alleviate those concerns.”

The NHL insider said the concerns were only heightened by the lack of playing time and the slowness with which the defenseman played when he was healthy. Siegel said Hakanpah could be “huge” if he returns to form, but that doesn’t seem likely.

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NHL insider praised Chris Tanev from Maple Leafs Brad Treliving

Brad Treliving has made a blockbuster move to sign defender Chris Tanev to a six-year deal. So far, the move has aged like fine wine for Maple Leafs in many ways.

One important factor is how many games he played, especially compared to Tenev’s peers. Auston Matthews, Anthony Stolarz and others were injured, but Tanev was not.

“Tanev has played in every game but one. The six-year contract is only for half a season – a full decision on his contract, which expires in 2030, will not come for some time. But early on, he was very good,” said Jonas Siegel.

Tannev leads his teammates in shots, goal chances, top threat chances, top threat goals and five-on-five expected goals.