Prospect Info: Oliver Kapanen, RHC, KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 64th Overall

[Tyson]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

 

[Naslundforever]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

One of the only guys I noticed making plays yesterday though.

 

[Tyson]

One of the only guys I noticed making plays yesterday though.

I agree he looked good but will his confidence wane if after 12 games he has one assist and is a minus 9?

 

[Naslundforever]

Habs need a vet 1RD and a vet 1C to contend as always.

I agree he looked good but will his confidence wane if after 12 games he has one assist and is a minus 9?

Dunno… Dach got so much light on him rn everyone probably feels rather safe! Seems like a nice opportunity for the kid; he’s prob in over his head for sure.

 

[morhilane]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

He was playing on the 4th line with Heineman and the ghost of Dvorak who only has one assist too.
Kapane haven't been put in a role to produce offensively.

 

[Tyson]

He was playing on the 4th line with Heineman and the ghost of Dvorak who only has one assist too.
Kapane haven't been put in a role to produce offensively.

A pleasant surprise that I hope gets some points to help boost his confidence soon.

 

[Andy]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

He is a rookie. I think folks have really high expectations.

Not every rookie is going to come in and burn villages. I feel like we forget that kids need nhl reps at some point, and not every rookie season will be something to talk about it.

For me the biggest thing is that he needs to get stronger. He seems to have a good understanding of the game and doesn't look out place pace wise. He just can't create space and defend space physically right now. But again, he needs to experience the nhl game.

 

[montreal]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

I saw a little of him last night and thought he looked better then the little i've seen of him from earlier on. I've tried to catch more Habs games this year due to Hutson and Kapanen but when I try I just end up trying the game off as they are still very tough to watch but I really need to see more of him.

 

[Andy]

I saw a little of him last night and thought he looked better then the little i've seen of him from earlier on. I've tried to catch more Habs games this year due to Hutson and Kapanen but when I try I just end up trying the game off as they are still very tough to watch but I really need to see more of him.

I find the biggest issue right now is that he just isn't strong enough to win puck battles and defend whatever space he finds himself in.

He's still a kid and it shows.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

He's here for 9 games IMO

Going home with a big check and valuable experience. Him and Beck must not be rushed and become 4th liners.

 

[montreal]

I find the biggest issue right now is that he just isn't strong enough to win puck battles and defend whatever space he finds himself in.

He's still a kid and it shows.

the speed/skating/strength all look like issues so far but I just haven't been able to watch the Habs much. I thought for sure he would be in the SHL by now, though if Laine doesn't get injured who knows as you don't want him to get Pezzetta's press box seat since of course he has to play if your plan was to keep him (before Laine injury)

I hate seeing them rush kids to the NHL so I hope it's not the case here.

 

[montreal]

He's here for 9 games IMO

Going home with a big check and valuable experience. Him and Beck must not be rushed and become 4th liners.

why 9 games?

 

[Andy]

the speed/skating/strength all look like issues so far but I just haven't been able to watch the Habs much. I thought for sure he would be in the SHL by now, though if Laine doesn't get injured who knows as you don't want him to get Pezzetta's press box seat since of course he has to play if your plan was to keep him (before Laine injury)

I hate seeing them rush kids to the NHL so I hope it's not the case here.

Speed or skating hasn't looked problematic, at least to me.

He just gets knocked off the puck very easily. Doesn't have the strength to win board battles or 50/50 pucks. He's tried a few times to cut into the middle of the ice and is just immediately halted because he's so light.

I find his positioning and pace to be fine for a rookie.

 

[Team_Spirit]

why 9 games?

Iirc It's the limit of gp before he can be sent back

 

[montreal]

Iirc It's the limit of gp before he can be sent back

there's no limit of games played on his contract no matter where he plays this year.

 

[Trabdy2]

I see some poise in Kapanen's game which I can really appreciate. Some things are clicking a bit, but I'd like to see him get stronger and more aggressive. He's not less effective than some of our other players and I think he should be able to learn and improve on the go in the NHL.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I really hope Kapanen stays in Montreal all season. Yes stats wise when you look, nothing sticks out yet BUT in the few games I have watched, I always notice him. I truly feel some luck will come his way soon and he will start chipping in with some points soon

 

[Tyson]

I saw a little of him last night and thought he looked better then the little i've seen of him from earlier on. I've tried to catch more Habs games this year due to Hutson and Kapanen but when I try I just end up trying the game off as they are still very tough to watch but I really need to see more of him.

I really hope Kapanen stays in Montreal all season. Yes stats wise when you look, nothing sticks out yet BUT in the few games I have watched, I always notice him. I truly feel some luck will come his way soon and he will start chipping in with some points soon

He is a solid young player

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I agree he looked good but will his confidence wane if after 12 games he has one assist and is a minus 9?

If his confidence wanes he will be less effective and he will be sent back but he won't be sent back if he continues to play as he has.. He is playing well right now as are Armia, Newhook and Evans but they don't have the point totals that they deserve.

 

[Rapala]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

He hasn't been great I thought he was being over hyped against questionable competition to begin with.
Heineman has shown far more NHL readiness to date.

Kapanen has plenty of good attributes but physicality does not seem to be one of them and we are sorely lacking in that department.
He's kind of redundant and I haven't seen a 2C in the guy yet that is for sure.

If I had to choose between him and Owen Beck it's Beck hands down for me.
He just brings more of what this team is currently lacking.

I wouldn't be adverse to sending him back but we won't...

 

[Tyson]

He hasn't been great I thought he was being over hyped against questionable competition to begin with.
Heineman has shown far more NHL readiness to date.

Kapanen has plenty of good attributes but physicality does not seem to be one of them and we are sorely lacking in that department.
He's kind of redundant and I haven't seen a 2C in the guy yet that is for sure.

If I had to choose between him and Owen Beck it's Beck hands down for me.
He just brings more of what this team is currently lacking.

I wouldn't be adverse to sending him back but we won't...

Beck is showing some great things in Laval. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kapanen sent back to be honest once Beck shows he is truly ready.

 

[Sorinth]

Oliver Kapanen with one assist through 6 games...should he really he here or would he be better off in Europe? His lack of production won't help his confidence

Confidence is obviously something the team has to be closely monitoring but as fans we don't have much insight into it because although production and lack thereof can impact confidence it's not automatic. It's quite possible even with the lack of production that he's getting more comfortable with the NHL pace/rink size and is in fact gaining confidence.

 

[Rapala]

Beck is showing some great things in Laval. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kapanen sent back to be honest once Beck shows he is truly ready.

Different animals and Beck is always going to show more energy in his game which is something we could use about now.

 

[Rapala]

Confidence is obviously something the team has to be closely monitoring but as fans we don't have much insight into it because although production and lack thereof can impact confidence it's not automatic. It's quite possible even with the lack of production that he's getting more comfortable with the NHL pace/rink size and is in fact gaining confidence.

True Confidence is key.
What I'd like to see are more events being generated from his play.
The production won't come without it. I can't say he's generating all that much.

 

[Harry Kakalovich]

Admittedly I've been wrong before (see wanting Juraj Slafkovsky in the AHL as recently as the beginning of last year), so I'm hardly an expert, but I still think this kid should be in Sweden for one last year. I think he'd be in the AHL if the Habs could send him there.