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

[Wateredgarden]

I dont think he can be better than Dvorak this season so let him developpe in Sweden another season he's got something amazing going on there.

 

[Tyson]

I dont think he can be better than Dvorak this season so let him developpe in Sweden another season he's got something amazing going on there.

Lets see what transpires at camp. You are probably right though

 

[Nevins]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1832091823340494951

 

[montreal]

He's had a big preseason so far stats wise. Going from 50th OA in points in Liiga last year to the top player in the SHL would be one heck of a leap in his development.

 

[EveryDay]

He's had a big preseason so far stats wise. Going from 50th OA in points in Liiga last year to the top player in the SHL would be one heck of a leap in his development.

You don't believe he stand a chance to start his NHL career this season? Also, what his stats line so far in the preseason?

Thank you!

 

[montreal]

You don't believe he stand a chance to start his NHL career this season? Also, what his stats line so far in the preseason?

Thank you!

He's got 5 pts in 5 games going into today.

 

[1909]

If Kapanen shines during the Camp, he’s gonna push Evans or Dvorak out of MTL.

 

[Sterling Archer]

If Kapanen shines during the Camp, he’s gonna push Evans or Dvorak out of MTL.

They can also start him on the wing to start until they make space or there’s an injury. But yes.

 

[Scintillating10]

I dont think he can be better than Dvorak this season so let him developpe in Sweden another season he's got something amazing going on there.

He might develop better in Montreal though. We could expose a bad contract nobody will touch to free up roster spot.

 

[Tyson]

This kid is about to steal a spot, force the GM's hand. Personally a year playing in all situations as a 1st line center in the SHL under Jokinen's tutelage is where he probably should be.

 

[BLONG7]

This kid is about to steal a spot, force the GM's hand. Personally a year playing in all situations as a 1st line center in the SHL under Jokinen's tutelage is where he probably should be.

Is Laval an option if he falls short in camp? Or does he have to go back over?

 

[Rapala]

Is Laval an option if he falls short in camp? Or does he have to go back over?

Not a chance IMO. We need to ensure he gets max reps we have a glut currently.

 

[26Mats]

This kid is about to steal a spot, force the GM's hand. Personally a year playing in all situations as a 1st line center in the SHL under Jokinen's tutelage is where he probably should be.

It's too early to predict even 1 or 2 years down the line. But I'm liking that the botton six is starting to feel like the LD position - a lot of good young candidates, and they actually all might make it.

If the top 6 (Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Dach, Demidov, Laine) stay together (which is a big if in a salary cap world), we have a lot of good candidates for the bottom 6:

Hage
Newhook
Roy
Beck
Kapanen
F. Xhekaj
Heineman
Evan's
Pez
Farrell
Mesar
Tuch
Davidson
Koivu
Eriksson
RHP
Simoneau
Kidney
Etc...

 

[Scintillating10]

This kid is about to steal a spot, force the GM's hand. Personally a year playing in all situations as a 1st line center in the SHL under Jokinen's tutelage is where he probably should be.

McCagg said last night on Sick Podcast he has Kapanen ahead of Beck.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

McCagg said last night on Sick Podcast he has Kapanen ahead of Beck.

I don't agree, but you can certainly make an argument for that. Kapanen has a lot going for him.

 

[Sterling Archer]

McCagg said last night on Sick Podcast he has Kapanen ahead of Beck.

Either way it’s fantastic. Bottom 6 centres are set now and Habs will eventually have to make moves and get more assets for Evans and Dvo.

 

[Scintillating10]

Either way it’s fantastic. Bottom 6 centres are set now and Habs will eventually have to make moves and get more assets for Evans and Dvo.

He expects Kapanen to make the team. Will take a great camp I imagine.

 

[Sterling Archer]

He expects Kapanen to make the team. Will take a great camp I imagine.

If he makes the team, do they start him at the wing or move Evans or Dvo before season starts?

Feel like this situation will be more and more common as rookies start to replace vets when they earn spots on the team. Great problem to have.

 

[Tyson]

McCagg said last night on Sick Podcast he has Kapanen ahead of Beck.

Both 2nd rounders, Kapanen is a year older and has played against men for a couple of years. He started to figure things out in the 2nd half of last season. McCagg isn't wrong.

 

[Miller Time]

It's too early to predict even 1 or 2 years down the line. But I'm liking that the botton six is starting to feel like the LD position - a lot of good young candidates, and they actually all might make it.

If the top 6 (Suzuki, Caufield, Slaf, Dach, Demidov, Laine) stay together (which is a big if in a salary cap world), we have a lot of good candidates for the bottom 6:

Hage
Newhook
Roy
Beck
Kapanen
F. Xhekaj
Heineman
Evan's
Pez
Farrell
Mesar
Tuch
Davidson
Koivu
Eriksson
RHP
Simoneau
Kidney
Etc...

This is what "build via the draft" actually looks like.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

I don't agree, but you can certainly make an argument for that. Kapanen has a lot going for him.

As a general rule for me- if two prospects are close in value in terms of what they bring, the one that played pro sits ahead. It’s comparing apples and oranges. I like Beck a lot, but he’s hasn’t played a pro season Kapanen has played two already

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

As a general rule for me- if two prospects are close in value in terms of what they bring, the one that played pro sits ahead. It’s comparing apples and oranges. I like Beck a lot, but he’s hasn’t played a pro season Kapanen has played two already

I have Beck and Kapanen as being very close and I do agree that Kapanen has proven more at a higher level so that may give him the edge in a ranking scenario.

 

[Tyson]

Is Laval an option if he falls short in camp? Or does he have to go back over?

SHL or NHL...no other option

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

I would rather Kapanen plays in Sweden this season

Next year, him and Beck will replace Dvorak and Evans in the lineup

 

[Scintillating10]

Both 2nd rounders, Kapanen is a year older and has played against men for a couple of years. He started to figure things out in the 2nd half of last season. McCagg isn't wrong.

He also said Kapanen been playing hockey for 6 weeks. He's expecting him have great camp. Let's hope McCagg is right for once.