Confirmed with Link: Oilers Claim Kasperi Kapanen Off Waivers

[Soundwave]

I'll be honest if the Podkolzin and Kapanen buy-lows turn out well and with Kane returning ... I'm not as bothered about the whole speed this/speed that hysteria.

Pods is quite fast himself but much stronger than Holloway, if the Oilers can rebuild his confidence he is going to be an absolute menace on the forecheck. He is the same age as Holloway.

Kapanen is about as fast as Foegele and is also the same age as Foegele.

I don't think a Ryan McLeod tier player makes or breaks a team identity.

 

[VeteranPresence]

I don't think a Ryan McLeod tier player makes or breaks a team identity.

McLeod is also slowing down (no pun intended) after his hot start. 3 points and -1 in his last six.

 

[syz]

I would still rather have Holloway over Perry but I was never losing sleep over McLeod or Foegele.

 

[TheNumber4]

McLeod is also slowing down (no pun intended) after his hot start. 3 points and -1 in his last six.

Still a good pace though. We'd be ecstatic if he regularly put up 40 points in a year in a bottom 6 role.

 

[Oilhawks]

Still a good pace though. We'd be ecstatic if he regularly put up 40 points in a year in a bottom 6 role.

I think we all would. Isn't he playing in the top 6 over there though?

 

[TheNumber4]

I think we all would. Isn't he playing in the top 6 over there though?

With injury (Cozens?) I think he got bumped up. But mostly it's been 3C.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Still a good pace though. We'd be ecstatic if he regularly put up 40 points in a year in a bottom 6 role.

Pace means nothing with McLeod. He’s about as streaky as they come.

 

[TheNumber4]

Pace means nothing with McLeod. He’s about as streaky as they come.

As long as it averages out to 30-40 pts playing 3C, that’s completely fine.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

As long as it averages out to 30-40 pts playing 3C, that’s completely fine.

yep if he can do that playing 3rd line minutes all season I agree.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

4 games in, and I like what I see with Kap.

You can see the limits with him, as it looks like he only has one gear: all-out speed. He's not someone that you can ask to slow down and stay in good position, and still have him look productive.

But the good news is the Oil have(had?) a massive need for someone who constantly pushes the pace, so I can see a consistent spot for him on the roster.

 

[FlameChampion]

Will be interesting to see where he plays once Hyman and Arviddson come back.

Surely you would think Cagguila and Ryan comes out but this is the Oilers we are talking about.

 

[Old Boys Club]

Will be interesting to see where he plays once Hyman and Arviddson come back.

Surely you would think Cagguila and Ryan comes out but this is the Oilers we are talking about.

Not sure how they could justify doing anything else, but.....

 

[McFlyingV]

Will be interesting to see where he plays once Hyman and Arviddson come back.

Surely you would think Cagguila and Ryan comes out but this is the Oilers we are talking about.

Forward group will be interesting in the new year when Kane returns if they can get fully healthy. Could we run 4 lines?

Kane-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Drai-Arvidsson
Janmark-Nuge-Kapanen
Skinner-Henrique-Brown

That's a very balanced forward group.

 

[unicornBLOOD]

in his short time here, he's outperformed J. Skinner, Perry, Ryan, Caggula. When Arviddson and Hyman get back, if they sent 2 guys down, I'd send Caggula and Ryan OVER Kap, I doubt the team would though, Caggula - probably, Ryan - doubt it. He's been a nice fill in and fit, would like him to stick around.

 

[Oilhawks]

Not sure why everyone here is assuming Kapanen will get waived again when they start getting players back, unless he turns into a pumpkin

There is zero chance he gets waived before Caggiula. Ryan? Maybe, they're in love with the ghost of that player.

 

[unicornBLOOD]

Not sure why everyone here is assuming Kapanen will get waived again when they start getting players back, unless he turns into a pumpkin

There is zero chance he gets waived before Caggiula. Ryan? Maybe, they're in love with the ghost of that player.

just going off of the track record of this team, and that would lead me to believe that would keep D Ryan over Kap. Ryan was a good soldier for this team, but he's small, slow, and getting old. He's not an everyday player in this league anymore, they need to rip the bandaid off, send him to the AHL for insurance. Will they do that? doubt it.

 

[TheNumber4]

Forward group will be interesting in the new year when Kane returns if they can get fully healthy. Could we run 4 lines?

Kane-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Drai-Arvidsson
Janmark-Nuge-Kapanen
Skinner-Henrique-Brown

That's a very balanced forward group.

That’s a Bottom 6 that should be able compete with and beat any Bottom 6 in this League.

We’ve always had a great Top 6. But only an okay Bottom 6.

We’d be cooking with that line up.

 

[guymez]

Forward group will be interesting in the new year when Kane returns if they can get fully healthy. Could we run 4 lines?

Kane-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-Drai-Arvidsson
Janmark-Nuge-Kapanen
Skinner-Henrique-Brown

That's a very balanced forward group.

I dont mind this at all.

7 of those forwards can play on the PK as well.

 

[Trafalgar Sadge Law]

Great early sample size on this player so far. If nothing else he helps mitigate the team's lack of speed and can contribute on the penalty kill for a minuscule cap hit. These are the types of low risk, low cost, high pedigree moves we should be looking to make as much as possible.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Talent skill and skating was never his problem

It’s his drive and motivation…hopefully he keeps up his play

 

[TheNumber4]

2 waivers in 2 years. If the book on Kasperi is that he never took the game seriously enough, maybe this is his wake up call.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

in his short time here, he's outperformed J. Skinner, Perry, Ryan, Caggula. When Arviddson and Hyman get back, if they sent 2 guys down, I'd send Caggula and Ryan OVER Kap, I doubt the team would though, Caggula - probably, Ryan - doubt it. He's been a nice fill in and fit, would like him to stick around.

Big thing is he brings something that makes him distinctive.

Skinner, Henrique, Ryan, and Brown all excel at playing a cerebral game, but none of them are going to out-skate or out-muscle an opponent. And when that's 2/3rd of your bottom 6, the group is just going to come across as bland, skill or hockey IQ be damned.


I 'd been wanting another big physical player to help as a bandaid until Kane is back, but Kap's speed has also been noticeable in opening up ice for others around him.
I also hope Knob is noticing that McDavid and Nuge do better with a guy that can do an effective give-and-go on his right side, vs. a pure net-crashing presence like Hyman. Imo going into Christmas, the top 12 should be...

RNH-McDavid-Arvidsson (speed and skill)
Podz-Drai-Hyman (size and the ability to cycle for days)
Skinner-Henrique-Kap (heady play with speed to open up the ice)
Janmark-Philp-Brown/Perry (size and defensive play)

 

[kevy9999]

Great early sample size on this player so far. If nothing else he helps mitigate the team's lack of speed and can contribute on the penalty kill for a minuscule cap hit. These are the types of low risk, low cost, high pedigree moves we should be looking to make as much as possible.

People need to stop that b.s. narrative that oilers lack team speed. They don't!! They are a very fast team when playing inspired hockey.

 

[La Bamba]

People need to stop that b.s. narrative that oilers lack team speed. They don't!! They are a very fast team when playing inspired hockey.

It’s a catchy phrase that makes people seem smart