His hockey IQ isn’t very high. He’s a solid player for the bottom six who can kill penalties and chip in offensively here and there. Do I miss him? Not really, he’s someone that could easily be replaced.
How much do the Leafs miss Kapanen?
- Thread starter ronduguayshair
- Start date
Jimmy Firecracker
Backcheck, Forecheck, Paycheque.
We don’t “miss him” per se but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad player at all, far from it. Blazing speed, good PK instincts and has a decent amount of skill too. Playing with Crosby or Malkin could see him get close to 60 points (pro-rated). He’s also feisty.
He’ll do good for you guys, the price was high sure, but if it weren’t for COVID that would be a normal trade.
He’ll do good for you guys, the price was high sure, but if it weren’t for COVID that would be a normal trade.
thusk
Registered User
For me kapanen is a player like paul byron with a little more skil, he's not a top 6 player. A bottom 6 defensive foward but with a tremendous speed who will bring him a lot of scoring chance in counter-attack but don't expect anything good from him when you will have control of the puck in offensive zone.
Ya, I'm surprisingly enjoying the Leafs 3rd line far more this season than last.
Notsince67
Papi and the Lamplighters
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I think you will like him. He skates like a jet. Lock up ur girlfriend tho because he's a bit of a playa
tmlms13
Registered User
Not much considering his cap hit. He's super fast but has no finish (no pun intended) when he gets a scoring chance.
robertmac43
Forever 43!
- Mar 31, 2015
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Don't miss his playstyle at all, we are much more balanced without him He seemed like he brought a good energy to the team though so I guess I miss the guy a bit
He wasn't da problem here ... but we needed a couple VET defenders more ... it was a simple CAP trade off ... I always liked Kappy da real fun guy ... he is best when he plays with an edge but he needs to know he has protection in ur lineup ... once knuckles got here his play improved 5 fold
hobarth
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Ryan Michaels
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He could succeed with Sid or Malkin but I definitely wouldn't expect him too since he was unable to play with Matthews or Tavares. I think he was at his best bringing some speed and skill to the bottom 6, his tunnel vision brought down star players.
That said he is young maybe he makes a change.
Always liked Kappy and I think he's a good player. He was however, at his cap, a luxury we could not afford in our bottom 6 and even as far as that goes he brought a lot of similar assets to things we have in other players. We needed to diversify/round out that group. So for that reason, I don't miss him all that much, but still real solid complimentary player imo and somewhat versatile.
I do agree with the poster earlier in the thread saying he looked easily at his best after Clifford joined the team though. He just played with a feistiness that was never there before. If he could capture that more often, he'd be well more effective.
I do agree with the poster earlier in the thread saying he looked easily at his best after Clifford joined the team though. He just played with a feistiness that was never there before. If he could capture that more often, he'd be well more effective.
He's effectively been completely replaced by Mikheyev in the 'rush and beat players up the ice but fail to convert' category. In terms of everything else analytically, he was subpar.
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
I liked Kap but don't think he'll be missed much.
Problem is he can't drive offense on his own, so he wouldn't be a great fit with the 3rd line. And he really didn't have the hockey IQ to play with the Leafs core forwards.
Itll be curious to see how he fairs in the Pens top 6
Problem is he can't drive offense on his own, so he wouldn't be a great fit with the 3rd line. And he really didn't have the hockey IQ to play with the Leafs core forwards.
Itll be curious to see how he fairs in the Pens top 6
Leaf Fans
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- Sep 29, 2017
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ottomaddox
Registered User
Menzinger
Kessel4LadyByng
Though how much of that was just Matthews being Matthews.
Kap had a hot start when he was on the first line, but he cooled off once his shooting % started to drop after those first 30 games.
His problem has always been consistency. We'd get flashes of nice play out of him. But he could never it seems make it stick
The Podium
Registered User
I miss him. He was solid depth and would allow Hyman to move into JT Sr or Veseys spot in the top 6.
However he is an unnecessary luxury. He is a proven glorified 3rd line grinder at this point in his career IMO. Will bring speed, he’s a bit tenacious when he wants to be and will chip in some offense on an individual rush.
He is limited by his poor hockey IQ and his only offensive option is to carry the puck full speed at the net and hope he can get it by the goalie. In a top 6 role he is a real play killer, but he is a great option to bring some depth offense.
However he is an unnecessary luxury. He is a proven glorified 3rd line grinder at this point in his career IMO. Will bring speed, he’s a bit tenacious when he wants to be and will chip in some offense on an individual rush.
He is limited by his poor hockey IQ and his only offensive option is to carry the puck full speed at the net and hope he can get it by the goalie. In a top 6 role he is a real play killer, but he is a great option to bring some depth offense.
7even
Offered and lost
No shade but I legit forgot we lost him until I saw this post
Kapanen has a set of skills that aren't frequently seen together, which is what makes him so interesting, but he has trouble putting them together and pointing them at the target as a cohesive player. Be that as it may, I don't think optimism is uncalled for.
Kapanen has a set of skills that aren't frequently seen together, which is what makes him so interesting, but he has trouble putting them together and pointing them at the target as a cohesive player. Be that as it may, I don't think optimism is uncalled for.
Collectively, everyone here nailed it. I only disagree with softdumpinthecorner88's assessment.
Bottom 6 and penalty killing would be best for him imo, and then if he takes to some instruction perhaps top 6.
Bottom 6 and penalty killing would be best for him imo, and then if he takes to some instruction perhaps top 6.
This!!! I absolutely believe Kapanen was a liability. He gave the puck away far too often. Before anyone questions it, I'll clarify. A wasted shot on net, such as the ones Kapanen would fire constantly from the outside with no screen, is the same as a turnover. Goalies do not let goals in from the places he would almost always shoot. Him giving the puck to the Dman would have accomplished the same thing.
He had no situational awareness whatsoever. Sure, he's an NHL player so he can actually pass, but he couldn't see the play fast enough to pull it off. He had tunnel vision and him giving the puck away all the time hurt us. More than that though, when he was on the top 6, he wasn't able to get the puck into the hands of the guys who score.
I really liked Kappy on the Leafs. He's a real good hockey player. But he was a third liner for us. We'd be happy to have him this year, he's a fiesty guy who has a knack for clutch goals and is super dangerous on the PK; Penguins will really love him.
I've always have a lot of good things to say about Kappy, but I can't say we're missing him much. Our third line is looking good as is and we used his cap dollars to bring in Brodie, who is looking awesome.
I've always have a lot of good things to say about Kappy, but I can't say we're missing him much. Our third line is looking good as is and we used his cap dollars to bring in Brodie, who is looking awesome.
The Shadow
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- Feb 9, 2013
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Not sure if it was said but I believe the rumours of Mathews refusing to play with Kapanen were true. He just tends to kill the play versus create pressure within the zone.
I completely forgot about Johnsson as well and can't remember where they traded him to
I completely forgot about Johnsson as well and can't remember where they traded him to
