C Oliver Kapanen - Timra, SHL (2021, 64th, MTL)

[Colezuki]

He's a solid player but needs to get stronger on the puck. He'll be sent back to the SHL soon but ya, he wll for sure be an NHLer down the road IMO.

The laine injury complicates things though, I see it likely he starts in Montreal as Roy has looked suspect to start. The team is basically deciding if he or heineman is the guy and if Roy can play 2nd line duties.

If Roy takes the 2nd line then heineman, if not kapanen

 

[Favster]

The laine injury complicates things though, I see it likely he starts in Montreal as Roy has looked suspect to start. The team is basically deciding if he or heineman is the guy and if Roy can play 2nd line duties.

If Roy takes the 2nd line then heineman, if not kapanen

It's possible. I just think the team sees him as a part of the team down the road but not just yet, send him back to europe to work on his weaknesses. I think Heineman has a better shot at startin in MTL even though I prefer Kapanenen and what he'll bring down the road.

 

[Team_Spirit]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844405509681565947

 

[montreal]

congrats on making his NHL debut, I didn't think he would make the team this year, I would have sent him back to the SHL but we'll see how it goes as you need to play him just about every night imo.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I actually noticed him alot last night VS Ottawa.. he looks like he could be sneaky good for this young exciting Habs team. Had over 4 mins on the PP last night and also some PK time.

From what I’ve seen after these first 2 games, it seems like the coaches like him due to the increase in ice time from game 1 to game 2

Hopefully he is able to stick with the team all season and continue to play well!

 

[HuGort]

MSL seemed to like his play in post game comments

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

MSL seemed to like his play in post game comments

Oh yes you can see he has won over the trust of the coaches.. first game he was 10 mins toi with no PP time and some PK time… and now last nights game he had over 14 mins toi and over 4 mins on the PP#2

 

[EXTRAS]

He needs to be a lot better or he's being sent down.

 

[Treb]

He needs to be a lot better or he's being sent down.

Huh? Are you thinking about Kasperi?

 

[Anardil]

If he's going to stay, they're going to need to play him. None of this Rotenberg (sp) treatment. Otherwise, they need to send him back to Timra to get consistent ice time. That would be best for his development.

 

[Trabdy2]

Kapanen's been ok, I think it's worth trying to keep him in the lineup as he continues to adjust to the NHL game style and speed. Played 14 minutes last night and didn't look out of place.

 

[Kahvi]

His father and GM of Timrå is in Canada and will meet Montreal’s GM. The way he talked about the situation it seems Montreal has promised to Kapanen it’s either NHL or Timrå, even after 60 days limit.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

His father and GM of Timrå is in Canada and will meet Montreal’s GM. The way he talked about the situation it seems Montreal has promised to Kapanen it’s either NHL or Timrå, even after 60 days limit.

As of right now, I don’t see how they can’t keep him in the lineup with Montreal… Habs definitely will need a lot more time deciding the plan for him. Most young guys go through rough patches eventually so we will see what happens when Kapanen hits his

 

[Koivu11]

 

[montreal]

Almost Breakaway 2:44
Slot Chance 7:21
Shot/Assist 8:58
Assist 11:13

 

[Dempsey]

Kapanen is in a unique situation. Viewing the stats of 21-year-old drafted prospects in the SHL over the last ten years, there isn't a single good current NHLer among them because they're usually over in North America by then. If he scores near 1 PPG he'll be looking good IMO.

 

[montreal]

Scoring Chance 2:39
Breaks in on Goalie 8:08
Shot 10:16
Nice Rush/Pass 10:44
Sets Up Breakaway 12:16
Nice Defensive Play? 13:34

 

[montreal]

Goal 0:18
Great Chance 0:47
Another Great Chance 0:58

 

[Dempsey]

12 points (5G + 7A) in 13 SHL games as a 21-year-old in his first year in the league is impressive. Averages around 20 mins/game and 4-5 shots per game.

The only 21 and younger SHL players to have a higher PPG in the last ten years are William Nylander and Elias Pettersson, mind you they were top 10 picks and did it as teenagers. Jonatan Berggren had the same PPG at age 20 but that was also his third year in the league and he lacks the 6'1" frame of Kapanen. There are also SHL players who would have done similar numbers but were already in North America by then, most of them currently in the NHL.

Pretty impressive stuff and there's no reason to think he won't be a solid third liner for the Habs starting next season.

 

[Svedu]

I hope he can work on his legs and skating and becoming faster during the summer. Even if it's by no means a weakness. I just believe it would give him a lot more success at the NHL-level because he has figured out how to play his game with success in many levels now. Decent in the NHL. Very good in the mens WC, Liiga and now SHL.
Just some more explosiveness and strength to his skating and he'll be a good top9 and not only decent.

 

[montreal]