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

WeThreeKings

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Sep 19, 2006
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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.

It's coming for him. He's getting a chance to play with some better players. He will benefit from more strength in his legs to be a bit more explosive.
 
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26Mats

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Jun 23, 2018
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It's coming for him. He's getting a chance to play with some better players. He will benefit from more strength in his legs to be a bit more explosive.

If we try to get the second line going by reuniting Dach, Newhook, and Slaf, I would be interested to see how Kapanen fits with Suzuki and Caufield.

Edit:
Hera are MSL's lines at practice today. A lot I like about them.

Caufield-Suzuki-Heineman
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher
Slafkovsky-Dach-Kapanen
Armia-Newhook-Dvorak (Pezzetta)

Matheson-Barron
Hutson-Savard
Guhle-Struble
Xhekaj-Mailloux

-Dvo on the wing
-Kapanen with Dach and Slaf
-Not sure Heineman is right for Suzy and CC, but let's see. I'd rotate Heineman, Kapanen and Dvo into the following open spots to see who has the most chemistry:
Caufield-Suzuki-__________
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher
Slafkovsky-Dach-_________
Armia-Newhook-__________
 
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Habssince89

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If we try to get the second line going by reuniting Dach, Newhook, and Slaf, I would be interested to see how Kapanen fits with Suzuki and Caufield.
I'd rather do Heineman as he's a lefty and is way stronger than Kap.

I think Kapanen should join Dach and Slaf

Heineman-Suzuki-Caufield
Slafkovsky-Dach-Kapanen
Newhook-Dvorak-Armia
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher
 

26Mats

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Jun 23, 2018
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I'd rather do Heineman as he's a lefty and is way stronger than Kap.

I think Kapanen should join Dach and Slaf

Heineman-Suzuki-Caufield
Slafkovsky-Dach-Kapanen
Newhook-Dvorak-Armia
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher
You got your wish. That's exactly how MSL has it in practice today.
I think Suzy and Caufield would benefit from someone with more puck skills. So between kap, Heineman, and Dvo, my choice is actually Dvo, because of his combination of strength along the boards and puck skills.

But for me I'd do trial and error to see who has chemistry with who. Dvo, Heineman, and Kapanen fill the following three open spots based on chemistry:
Caufield-Suzuki-___________
Anderson-Evans-Gallagher
Slafkovsky-Dach-__________
Armia-Newhook-___________
 
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Rapala

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Mar 29, 2013
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So what do we do with him?

I think he could benefit from one extra year in Finland. Ideally, he'd play in Laval, but that's not possible.
I think they kept him around for the wrong reasons.
If we were moving Dvorak okay let him cut his teeth on a fourth line all season long with some PP time if he showed.
He was invisible on the wing in camp and it was remarked on by a number of members.
He's been invisible on the wing in the NHL and is not getting nearly enough touches.
 
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Tyson

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I think they kept him around for the wrong reasons.
If we were moving Dvorak okay let him cut his teeth on a fourth line all season long with some PP time if he showed.
He was invisible on the wing in camp and it was remarked on by a number of members.
He's been invisible on the wing in the NHL and is not getting nearly enough touches.
He does not belong in the NHL at this moment
 

schwang26

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Mar 15, 2022
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I was all for letting him play a first line role in Europe this season. It’s just a depressing environment to put yet another kid in. They need more vets. Better vets.
 
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schwang26

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His clause is if he's on the roster til December he can go to Laval instead of Sweden. They're keeping him up til then.
I’d be ok with that. RHP and Laine will be back around that time, so someone will need to go.
 

Rapala

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I’d be ok with that. RHP and Laine will be back around that time, so someone will need to go.
Personally I don't think RHP will be a factor.
My guess is he gets sent down on a conditioning stint.
What happens if he doesn't have an impact which is very possible?
 

schwang26

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Personally I don't think RHP will be a factor.
My guess is he gets sent down on a conditioning stint.
What happens if he doesn't have an impact which is very possible?
Oh I totally agree. I didn’t think he deserved to be in the nhl last year. I’m just thinking of waivers. I’m not sure if he has to clear. And yes, I can see a conditioning stint for him.
He probably won’t be a factor, but hey, who is? Kapanen sure isn’t.
 
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morhilane

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Personally I don't think RHP will be a factor.
My guess is he gets sent down on a conditioning stint.
What happens if he doesn't have an impact which is very possible?
Does anyone expect RHP to make an impact once he comes back? He wasn't good last season and he's injury prone.
 

Habssince89

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Haven't written him off, but he's not impressing me at all. Too weak and slow right now. He's playing just to survive the shift, and that's not what we need.
 

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