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

[Egresch]

it's about management being able to see him in person, not only in direct comparison with other prospects, but to established roster players.
the more information you have the better, whether it's for building your roster or preparing for a trade down the line.

They already know everything about him. They drafted him 3 years ago (Hannu Laine, our Finnish scout is still with us), they met him in person several times on different occasions (WJC, World Champs, visit in Finland). They know very well how he plays and what is his potential. Yes, there are players who can surpirise, just like Norlinder surprised everyone last year. Did it change anything? It is just few days.

 

[montreal]

You really think attending an NHL camp will disrupt his season?

Timmins said as much a while back, he talked about Collberg and how it ended up being a mistake to bring him over to training camp as his SHL club's season had already started. When he went back he lost his spot and ended up on the 4th line with Frolunda.

But with Kapanen it's not an issue since there's no worry about him losing his spot on the roster when he gets sent back since he can't be sent to Laval, so it's NHL or SHL. The Habs are in a really good spot either way.

 

[Rapala]

We hear a lot about these European lads playing well in their respective leagues (from their respective coaches) and when they get over here, it's a different story. The only one recent one I remember living up to their expectations (and since exceeded them) was Lehkonen.

I remember Saku saying publicly before camp that Lehks would make the team.
I still don't get why we pigeon holed the player and utilized him strictly as a defensive specialist.
I'm mean it's not like we had many rookies coming along scoring 18 goals.
They gave up too early on him when the puck wasn't going in despite him being the player creating the most chances.
There was a negative aura cast on the player at that point and he needed out of here to finally shake it off.

 

[Rapala]

Timmins said as much a while back, he talked about Collberg and how it ended up being a mistake to bring him over to training camp as his SHL club's season had already started. When he went back he lost his spot and ended up on the 4th line with Frolunda.

But with Kapanen it's not an issue since there's no worry about him losing his spot on the roster when he gets sent back since he can't be sent to Laval, so it's NHL or SHL. The Habs are in a really good spot either way.

Yeah he wasn't going to say the mistake was selecting him.

 

[montreal]

Yeah he wasn't going to say the mistake was selecting him.

He could have since the pick likely was more from Christer Rockstrom who was our Swedish scout back then and had that big rep still going for him. But the pick at the time was seen as a good one, I know I bought into it as much like Danny Kristo I thought you had 2 guys that would make the NHL based off their speed/shot but was badly mistaken on both as they both busted hard.

 

[LaP]

I remember Saku saying publicly before camp that Lehks would make the team.
I still don't get why we pigeon holed the player and utilized him strictly as a defensive specialist.
I'm mean it's not like we had many rookies coming along scoring 18 goals.
They gave up too early on him when the puck wasn't going in despite him being the player creating the most chances.
There was a negative aura cast on the player at that point and he needed out of here to finally shake it off.

For the most part the guy who took a potential Lehkonen spot in the top 6 was Byron. I remember criticizing the decision but if we want to be honest most fans were agreeing with it.

 

[LaP]

He could have since the pick likely was more from Christer Rockstrom who was our Swedish scout back then and had that big rep still going for him. But the pick at the time was seen as a good one, I know I bought into it as much like Danny Kristo I thought you had 2 guys that would make the NHL based off their speed/shot but was badly mistaken on both as they both busted hard.

Collberg was simply not good. The guy could not even establish himself in Europe. He had only 7 points in 21 games in 2021-22 playing in Allsvenskan.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I am really surprised that he is even attending the camp. We have a solid roster and his odds of making the team are like 20%? Why do they even bother flying him over and disrupting his start in new team and league. Let him develop one more year in SHL and bring him in next year. If he develops as we expect, his odds would be like 70% to make the team straight from the camp.

Might help give him some taste of action and to measure his game against the NA style. This way, it's not a big shock when he comes over full time.

I am really surprised that he is even attending the camp. We have a solid roster and his odds of making the team are like 20%? Why do they even bother flying him over and disrupting his start in new team and league. Let him develop one more year in SHL and bring him in next year. If he develops as we expect, his odds would be like 70% to make the team straight from the camp.

Might help give him some taste of action and to measure his game against the NA style. This way, it's not a big shock when he comes over full time.

 

[Paddy17]

This guy and Engstrom are often forgotten in the discussions here. Both will have a good shot of making team this year. The only problem is the logjam of players...

 

[Shutdown]

They already know everything about him. They drafted him 3 years ago (Hannu Laine, our Finnish scout is still with us), they met him in person several times on different occasions (WJC, World Champs, visit in Finland). They know very well how he plays and what is his potential. Yes, there are players who can surpirise, just like Norlinder surprised everyone last year. Did it change anything? It is just few days.

you're right, it's a big waste of time

 

[schwang26]

I hope too that Habs will finally be lucky and get more talent out of Finland and Sweden. Besides Lehkonen, and Koivu and Naslund long time ago, Habs did not strike gold out of those countries.

I’ve always found that incredibly puzzling. I can’t believe they didn’t address that in literally decades. You’d think an organization with the resources of the Habs would turn every stone to get talent, especially Europeans coming from a similar climate as Quebec. Also, You could possibly add Kjehl Dahlin to the list. He did have an amazing rookie year but unfortunately didn’t last in the nhl due to the physicality. Very short term success, but he and Naslund were crazy good together.

 

[LaP]

This guy and Engstrom are often forgotten in the discussions here. Both will have a good shot of making team this year. The only problem is the logjam of players...

Not really a problem. If he has a really really good camp you can keep him and trade someone. Like with the goalies last year. I mean i like Jake Evans but he should not be a wall preventing a talented kid having a good camp from making the lineup. It's Evans last contract year he should not be that hard to trade durign the season. I also believe KH is a good enough GM to not fall into the traop of keeping Dvorak/Armia past the deadline.

 

[montreal]

Collberg was simply not good. The guy could not even establish himself in Europe. He had only 7 points in 21 games in 2021-22 playing in Allsvenskan.

when he was putting up a ppg at 17 years old in the WJC there was a lot of hype on him at the time. Some kids just peak at 17, 18, 19.

stats in Euro leagues can be really tough to get a read on.

 

[LaP]

when he was putting up a ppg at 17 years old in the WJC there was a lot of hype on him at the time. Some kids just peak at 17, 18, 19.

stats in Euro leagues can be really tough to get a read on.

Yes but if you are relegated to the Allsvenskan (AHL in Sweden) at 27 because you're not good enough for the SHL for me it's very telling,

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

I am really surprised that he is even attending the camp. We have a solid roster and his odds of making the team are like 20%? Why do they even bother flying him over and disrupting his start in new team and league. Let him develop one more year in SHL and bring him in next year. If he develops as we expect, his odds would be like 70% to make the team straight from the camp.

You don't think Kapanen wants a shot at that 20% chance of making the nhl this year?

 

[Beer and Chips]

Not really a problem. If he has a really really good camp you can keep him and trade someone. Like with the goalies last year. I mean i like Jake Evans but he should not be a wall preventing a talented kid having a good camp from making the lineup. It's Evans last contract year he should not be that hard to trade durign the season. I also believe KH is a good enough GM to not fall into the traop of keeping Dvorak/Armia past the deadline.

Allen was kept even though Primeau was ready just so they mazimized his return, I'm not sure that is a good example.

 

[1909]

Allen was kept even though Primeau was ready just so they mazimized his return, I'm not sure that is a good example.

That Three-headed Goalie situation last year ruined the season. At least , Habs were able to pick 5th (Demidov) as a consolation.

 

[Egresch]

You don't think Kapanen wants a shot at that 20% chance of making the nhl this year?

He probably thinks he is ready to compete with Dvorak and Evans.

you're right, it's a big waste of time

Maybe my assumptions are completely wrong. They know him and maybe they give him 50% chance to make the team. Then it is clear and he should participate.

Not really a problem. If he has a really really good camp you can keep him and trade someone. Like with the goalies last year.

I hope he succeeds and they trade Dvorak away. I just hope it is not the case when he has a good camp and they send him back to SHL anyway.

 

[1909]

I’ve always found that incredibly puzzling. I can’t believe they didn’t address that in literally decades. You’d think an organization with the resources of the Habs would turn every stone to get talent, especially Europeans coming from a similar climate as Quebec. Also, You could possibly add Kjehl Dahlin to the list. He did have an amazing rookie year but unfortunately didn’t last in the nhl due to the physicality. Very short term success, but he and Naslund were crazy good together.

I do rebember Carnback and Kjellberg who started the 1992-93 season. They lasted 6- 7 games with the Habs. They had good careers in the SHL and even played at NHL level again with some success.

 

[LaP]

Allen was kept even though Primeau was ready just so they mazimized his return, I'm not sure that is a good example.

Do we have a proof of that though? Maybe nobody was interested with his contract. Maybe KH did not want to retain at first and then accepted later his fate and retained.

 

[HabzSauce]

I know it's way too early, but just for fun IF both kappanen and beck turn out good, who would we rather keep? No way we bump one of them to the 4th, that would be a waste.

 

[jfm133]

Collberg is the best example that for the vast majority of prospects, it's decided at the draft. Good pick or bad pick and remember that on average each draft yield some 40ish really good players, so mistakes are impossible to avoid on the long run. The key are not the mistakes, it's how many really good players can you draft outside the top-22, which is around where the hit rate drops markedly. Some teams are terrible at that like Edmonton or Calgar, other like Dallas are competitive year after year because of that.

 

[Rapala]

You don't think Kapanen wants a shot at that 20% chance of making the nhl this year?

He absolutely does and he also want's to know what it will take to make it next season if it doesn't come off.

 

[Egresch]

Can Oliver Kapanen steal a roster spot at Montreal Canadiens Training Camp?

Oliver Kapanen not being on the Rookie Camp roster likely raised some eyebrows amongst Montreal Canadiens supporters. He starred at the 2024 World Championship,

awinninghabit.com

 

[Rapala]

I know it's way too early, but just for fun IF both kappanen and beck turn out good, who would we rather keep? No way we bump one of them to the 4th, that would be a waste.

We keep them both for sure with Florian and Newhook who can also play center in a pinch we are covered in case of man games lost.
I think they can all play wing also so it's really not an issue getting them ice time.