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

[Rapala]

He wasn't developed before the newhook trade. Even early last season he wasn't what he is now. He exploded mid season and seemingly has had a very productive summer.

We would have taken Newhook just the same Hughes saw value/depth/versatility in that move and he wasn't wrong.

 

[Rapala]

Kapanen might start as 13th forward, is what I was saying.

Never just like Reinbacher will never be a 7 D.

 

[Rapala]

Kapanen earns a regular spot or he goes back and continues his progression curve particularly his O game.

 

[26Mats]

Never just like Reinbacher will never be a 7 D.

They will need to make a trade before the season starts to keep him , Id rather him not be the 13th forward. Since its euro or NA for him its not like he can come over at the deadline

If you think about it, Kapanen's season in Sweden is 50 games long. With all the injuries and then trades at trade deadline, Kapanen should easily get 50 games in if he starts as 13th forward. Plus there could be a rotation.

 

[Rapala]

If you think about it, Kapanen's season in Sweden is 50 games long. With all the injuries and then trades at trade deadline, Kapanen should easily get 50 games in if he starts as 13th forward. Plus there could be a rotation.

You've already done that for me. Still nope.
If Oliver is the 13th forward what does that make Pezzetta?

 

[Habs Halifax]

If you think about it, Kapanen's season in Sweden is 50 games long. With all the injuries and then trades at trade deadline, Kapanen should easily get 50 games in if he starts as 13th forward. Plus there could be a rotation.

It's deeper than just 50 games. It's about development and usage. I personally would value him back in the SHL and playing high minutes and on the #1 PP. Starts his ELC one year later which is a positive for me. So yeah, he has to earn 3C and show that he can sustain that level for the full season. If not, let him continue to develop in the SHL.

 

[26Mats]

It's deeper than just 50 games. It's about development and usage. I personally would value him back in the SHL and playing high minutes and on the #1 PP. Starts his ELC one year later which is a positive for me. So yeah, he has to earn 3C and show that he can sustain that level for the full season. If not, let him continue to develop in the SHL.

I think he would play top 9 in Montreal when there are injuries and after the deadline when Armia and Dvo are moved.

But yeah, I see your point.

 

[schwang26]

I'm judging, not "assuming", that Kapanen is in our top 12-13 forwards. Not based on one game, but the entire training camp, World Championship, WJC, Liiga playoff, and 2nd half of last season. For nine months he has successfully rounded out his game.

If Kapanen is as good in the next week as he was the last 9 months, he would have no more need to get "1st line reps" in a weaker league than Roy or Hutson do.

Can you imagine when Suzuki made the squad as a 4th line winger, if instead we sent him to Europe to get "1st line reps" somewhere? Even if his Dad was the GM there, it would make no sense.

Judging, assuming, essentially the same thing especially if you didn’t actually watch all those games.
Look I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve a look and he looked great in the game, I’m saying that we shouldn’t be so quick to give Roy’s spot to him. Sending Roy back down isn’t going to help his development. This might simply be a numbers and rules game. Since Kapanen can go back to a good league and play on the top line, that might be the best option this year. He’s still playing in a good league against men. Now, if he shows well for the remainder of camp and they trade Dvorak in order to keep him, then I’m happy. I just don’t think he should necessarily bump out another young, up and coming player who also showed some great progression.

 

[Jaynki]

Its not just about having great icetime and playing 82 games.

Practicing each and everyday and frequenting NHLer like Suzuki holds a shitload of value in itself. And that is not including playing maybe 1000+ minutes this season in the NHL.

No problem with keeping Kapanen and having him in the press box for opening night imo. Injury will occur.

 

[BaseballCoach]

It's deeper than just 50 games. It's about development and usage. I personally would value him back in the SHL and playing high minutes and on the #1 PP. Starts his ELC one year later which is a positive for me. So yeah, he has to earn 3C and show that he can sustain that level for the full season. If not, let him continue to develop in the SHL.

Cheese is Price.

Kapanen is over 20 years old so his ELC is not delayed by going to the minors, whether North American or European.

Suzuki was younger than Kapanen when he made the team by showing he could be a fourth line winger, not the third line center.

This type of talk is craziness.

 

[Bottomshelf]

Hope he does well tonight, looks like he’s lining up with some NHL talent which is exciting to see

 

[Apfel Struble]

Its not just about having great icetime and playing 82 games.

Practicing each and everyday and frequenting NHLer like Suzuki holds a shitload of value in itself. And that is not including playing maybe 1000+ minutes this season in the NHL.

No problem with keeping Kapanen and having him in the press box for opening night imo. Injury will occur.

Absolutely. Also, we've already had a major injury to a star player (Doughty) so far this pre-season. A top 6 center may get injured soon in the league which would generate interest toward Dvorak (or even Evans though I doubt Hughes would easily part with him) for a trade. Keeping Kapanen, if he continues to play like he did last game, is the move IMO

If the management is actually serious about taking the next step, they can't send away a player who could make a difference. Kapanen brings speed, solid forecheck, playmaking, pace and is dangerous around the net

The time to solely focus on asset return and put roster peformance on the back burner has come IMO

 

[Big Lurk]

How is he doing?

 

[Skip Bayless]

Good job big dog, see you next year.

 

[River Meadow]

How is he doing?

Oliver Bustanen

 

[417]

You guys kill me lol…he was solid tonight, struggled in faceoffs but he didn’t look out of place.

It’s not realistic to expect him to have a great game, every game, but he’s brought a baseline everytime he’s been on the ice. He never looks out of place, he’ll get another look I’m sure.

One of the better stories from camp so far IMO.

 

[Rob Sense]

Oliver Bustanen

tough crowd

 

[Rapala]

You guys kill me lol…he was solid tonight, struggled in faceoffs but he didn’t look out of place.

It’s not realistic to expect him to have a great game, every game, but he’s brought a baseline everytime he’s been on the ice. He never looks out of place, he’ll get another look I’m sure.

One of the better stories from camp so far IMO.

Maybe so but the game tonight demonstrated why he will earn his ticket back over seas.
He still needs to get stronger and it's nothing he should hang his head over.
I think we all knew the IQ and finesse are there but it;s still the NHL and it's still 82 games.
Smart move by management giving him that start there will be less noise made why he boards the plane.

 

[SlafySZN]

He can come back next year with another number, with Demidov taking the #91

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

One game you are the greatest player ever, the next you are a bust, welcome to Montréal...

 

[Rapala]

One game you are the greatest player ever, the next you are a bust, welcome to Montréal...

Pleasant surprise but just not ready yet.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Pleasant surprise but just not ready yet.

Hard to make that call after one great game and one mediocre game where he didn’t have a great supporting cast against a mostly NHL roster.

I suspect and hope he gets atleast 1 more game with a more complete roster so we can get a better look.

 

[417]

Maybe so but the game tonight demonstrated why he will earn his ticket back over seas.
He still needs to get stronger and it's nothing he should hang his head over.

Whether or not he heads back overseas will not be because of last night's game.

Yes he needs to get stronger, is strength training only available in Sweden?

I think we all knew the IQ and finesse are there but it;s still the NHL and it's still 82 games.
Smart move by management giving him that start there will be less noise made why he boards the plane.

We'll see, there are more games and he will get another shot. Any decision on whether to keep him or not, should not be based on any single game performance during preseason.

 

[Jaynki]

He is a surprise at this camp no doubt but lets not forget he is D+4. If he cant cut it this year, it wont be easier next year and he is beyond the parabolic part of his development curve at this point.

I think we may keep him as a 14th forward, going with 7D. He certainly has a role in the bottom six but as RHC and following the role/skillset they bring, its between him, Beck and Evans imo.

 

[WeThreeKings]

He is a surprise at this camp no doubt but lets not forget he is D+4. If he cant cut it this year, it wont be easier next year and he is beyond the parabolic part of his development curve at this point.

I think we may keep him as a 14th forward, going with 7D. He certainly has a role in the bottom six but as RHC and following the role/skillset they bring, its between him, Beck and Evans imo.

Evans will win that every time.

Kapanen has a great development year ahead being 1C in Sweden. They're not gonna forego that to rotate him in the 4th line and eating hot dogs with Pezz.