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

[Rapala]

Maybe split up the top line

Newhook-Suzuki-Caufield
Slafkovsky-Dach-Kapanen

Dach is going to have to fight me to get Slaf off Suzuki's line.
He can have Caufield though.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Maybe split up the top line

Newhook-Suzuki-Caufield
Slafkovsky-Dach-Kapanen

That’s not happening any time soon.

 

[1909]

Dach is going to have to fight me to Slaf off Suzuki's line.
He can have Caufield though.

Caufield-Dach-Roy line could work
Newhook-Suzuki-Slaf, too

 

[26Mats]

Maybe split up the top line

Newhook-Suzuki-Caufield
Slafkovsky-Dach-Kapanen

They might spread it out at some point. But I think Caufield and Newhook are too small to be on opposite wings. I don't find Newhook strong on board battles.

I think Newhook-Slaf and Caufield-Kapanen/Roy could play opposite wings, and then you have one of Suzuki and Dach between each.

 

[Habssince89]

Well I had it a bit different I would us Caufield/Dach/Kap to start with and I don't think taking Slaf off Suzuki's flank is a great idea.
I like the progress he's made beside the Captain and still think he has more to learn details wise.

agreed. I like keeping Newhook and Slaf on separate lines anyway because we have so many RH shots.

Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Kapanen
Caufield-Dach-Newhook

 

[Koivu11]

So now that we know Laine won’t be out as long as we expected do we send him back to Sweden?

 

[morhilane]

So now that we know Laine won’t be out as long as we expected do we send him back to Sweden?

The 2-3 months leave enougth time to trade someone to make a spot for him if required and I think after 10 weeks in the NHL he can be sent down to the AHL instead of the SHL ( I remember something like with Heineman but he got injured and was sent back to Sweden).

 

[Ozmodiar]

Dude moves with confidence.

 

[BaseballCoach]

So now that we know Laine won’t be out as long as we expected do we send him back to Sweden?

We tend to over-think things.

If the guy is good enough to make the team, put him on the team.

 

[Essenege]

I like both Kapanen and ABB together on the third to start the year. Good chemistry between the 2, they also both create turnovers in the neutral zone. Smart offensive players.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I like both Kapanen and ABB together on the third to start the year. Good chemistry between the 2, they also both create turnovers in the neutral zone. Smart offensive players.

Something like this?

Caufield-Suzuki-Slafkovsky
Newhook-Dach-Armia (until Laine returns)
ABB-Kapanen-Roy
Evans plus 2 out of three per night of Dvorak-Anderson-Gallagher
14th : Pezzetta

Barron-Matheson
Guhle-Struble
Hutson-Savard
7th: Xhekaj

 

[417]

So now that we know Laine won’t be out as long as we expected do we send him back to Sweden?

He's not going back, I think he would be staying regardless of whether or not Laine got injured. Just listen to the coach talk about him. He did everything he needed to do to win a spot.

 

[Wateredgarden]

For me the problem with Kapanen is that he's too light and too easily bumped off the puck. But the cealing is higher than I previously thought.

 

[morhilane]

For me the problem with Kapanen is that he's too light and too easily bumped off the puck. But the cealing is higher than I previously thought.

He's not "too light", he's not used to the NHL physicality and how thight/fast plays are. He will adapt over time.

 

[Tyson]

He's not "too light" (he's almost 200 lbs), he's not used to the NHL physicality and how thight/fast plays are. He will adapt over time.

One thing I have always noticed about Finnish players is that they always appear to be solid technical players who come to NA prepared, Kapanen seems to be in that mold.
MSL pretty much said last night that he has made the team because of all the things he can do. He will only improve.

 

[TesseractPrice]

I think he made the team TBH, maybe even as a 3rd liner. Of course, since he's a good C with decent size, he has to be a right shot like everybody else...

He's a talented player, it's fun to have guys who can make a difference on the bottom 6. Off the top of my head, the last centers to do that were Suzuki and Danault. Here's hoping he can follow their trajectory

 

[Rapala]

One thing I have always noticed about Finnish players is that they always appear to be solid technical players who come to NA prepared, Kapanen seems to be in that mold.
MSL pretty much said last night that he has made the team because of all the things he can do. He will only improve.

Almost always. They were the first nation in Europe to adopt a North American game style.
Team Canada have won many tournaments over the years because they took care of the small details they weren't necessarily the most skilled.
When they were the most skilled it ended up being a complete and utter dominance.
The Finns always surprise once they hit the medal rounds and much of it is because of that technical expertise.

 

[rahad]

So now that we know Laine won’t be out as long as we expected do we send him back to Sweden?

Why send him to Sweden? Do you honestly believe we won't have another injury until January 2025?

 

[Saundies]

The way Hughes and Gorton have talked about him in interviews lately, I think they're impressed with him. I think he would have made the team even if Laine didn't get hurt, but it's really cemented now.

Definitely something I didn't see coming before camp started. Pretty cool.

 

[morhilane]

The way Hughes and Gorton have talked about him in interviews lately, I think they're impressed with him. I think he would have made the team even if Laine didn't get hurt, but it's really cemented now.

Definitely something I didn't see coming before camp started. Pretty cool.

Add MSL after the game yesterday to the list.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

So now that we know Laine won’t be out as long as we expected do we send him back to Sweden?

No, we send Dvorak to Sweden instead.

 

[BLONG7]

One thing I have always noticed about Finnish players is that they always appear to be solid technical players who come to NA prepared, Kapanen seems to be in that mold.
MSL pretty much said last night that he has made the team because of all the things he can do. He will only improve.

I hope they keep him in Montreal...............he has been a very pleasant surprise.

 

[red devil]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1841536503748424067

 

[Tyson]

I hope they keep him in Montreal...............he has been a very pleasant surprise.

I think he is a lock at this point.

 

[HomaridII]

I think he is a lock at this point.

Wouldn't surprise me if they put him on Dach's wing. Dach is horrible at faceoffs still and Kapanen could take them.