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

[Sam de Mtl]

I'm pretty sure it was announced as a 1 year contract last year.

Or was it a 2 year deal, but the second year was less restrictive? Like he could play in the AHL if Habs want him to or something?

 

[overlords]

Two goals for Kapanen today.

Saw some tweets from Timra fans who say it's gonna be a massive blow to lose him.

Would move him into top 10 for pts/gp in the SHL I think

 

[WeThreeKings]

Would move him into top 10 for ppg in the SHL I think

Was looking for gifs, can't find anything.

 

[26Mats]

From what I've seen, Kapanen is a player. It's probably too early for he and Beck to be our 3c and 4c. But it would be good for their development to get the reps:

Newhook- Beck - Anderson
Heineman - Evans/Kapanen - Gally/Armia

Kapanen and Roy can be in Laval and step in when there are injuries.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

From what I've seen, Kapanen is a player. It's probably too early for he and Beck to be our 3c and 4c. But it would be good for their development to get the reps:

Newhook- Beck - Anderson
Heineman - Evans/Kapanen - Gally/Armia

Kapanen and Roy can be in Laval and step in when there are injuries.

Nows the time. With Evans and Armia looking like trade chips , it’s only natural that Beck stay in the NHL the rest of this season to be the 3C for next year. Kapanen will either play wing or play 4C is my guess.

There will be growing pains for the team, but it’s to be expected. My guess is that Hughes does something relatively drastic this summer and the team will look different.

 

[26Mats]

Nows the time. With Evans and Armia looking like trade chips , it’s only natural that Beck stay in the NHL the rest of this season to be the 3C for next year. Kapanen will either play wing or play 4C is my guess.

There will be growing pains for the team, but it’s to be expected. My guess is that Hughes does something relatively drastic this summer and the team will look different.

If Hughes is able to add a 2c, Dach - and his whole current line - can move back down to be the 3rd line.

2nd line can be Laine - NEW 2C - Demidov

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - NEW 2C - Demidov
Newhook - Dach - Anderson
Heineman - Evans/Beck - Armia/Gallagher/Beck

 

[Treb]

Would move him into top 10 for pts/gp in the SHL I think

He's tied 5th in PPG for players over 20 games.

Everyone above/tied with him is 27 years old and up except former 2nd rounder Fillip Hallander who is 24.

In players with NHL rights, he's 3rd in points behind Soderstrom and Borgstrom who have played 15/16 more games for 4/15 more points.

 

[Tyson]

Kapanen out of sight out of mind but we should not forget that he has NHL upside. Not sure how many RH centers we need though

 

[DAChampion]

Not sure how many RH centers we need though

Up to four of of them if they're good.

 

[morhilane]

Kapanen out of sight out of mind but we should not forget that he has NHL upside. Not sure how many RH centers we need though

If they can take faceoffs on both sides, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Rapala]

Kapanen out of sight out of mind but we should not forget that he has NHL upside. Not sure how many RH centers we need though

Yup He's a very good trade chip and one that could convince a restructuring team to let go of a 2C for a package deal.

 

[le_sean]

Kapanen out of sight out of mind but we should not forget that he has NHL upside. Not sure how many RH centers we need though

I’d rather envision an elite two-way 3rd line that includes him and Beck (with a physical LW)

 

[McGuires Corndog]

I’d rather envision an elite two-way 3rd line that includes him and Beck (with a physical LW)

Lucky for us we got the guy.

Heineman-Beck-Kapanen.

 

[le_sean]

Lucky for us we got the guy.

Heineman-Beck-Kapanen.

Damn I almost forgot haha. That is a great 3rd line.

 

[26Mats]

Lucky for us we got the guy.

Heineman-Beck-Kapanen.

Beck is similar to Evan's. May end up better. Same with Kapanen vis a vis Armia.

 

[le_sean]

Beck is similar to Evan's. May end up better. Same with Kapanen vis a vis Armia.

He’ll be better than Evans, that’s almost certain. I see those two more like Danault-Lehkonen.

 

[26Mats]

He’ll be better than Evans, that’s almost certain. I see those two more like Danault-Lehkonen.

If we can't get a 2c this summer, I wonder if one of them can center Laine and Demidov next year. Or maybe Evan's does... Would be nice to start out with Newhook - Dach - Anderson as the 3rd line.

 

[Vachon23]

He’ll be better than Evans, that’s almost certain. I see those two more like Danault-Lehkonen.

That’s high expectations

 

[le_sean]

That’s high expectations

I mean Beck is as good at 20 as Evans was at 22 in the AHL. The jump to pro was a lot easier for him. Development isn’t always linear, but you can see there’s a gap in talent between the two.

 

[Vachon23]

I mean Beck is as good at 20 as Evans was at 22 in the AHL. The jump to pro was a lot easier for him. Development isn’t always linear, but you can see there’s a gap in talent between the two.

For Evans yes

But Beck and Kapanen being as good as Danault and Lehkonen. Those 2 are probably the highest floor they could go and I’m not even sure there is a world where Kapanen become as good as Lehkonen

 

[le_sean]

For Evans yes

But Beck and Kapanen being as good as Danault and Lehkonen. Those 2 are probably the highest floor they could go and I’m not even sure there is a world where Kapanen become as good as Lehkonen

Sorry not sure why I brought up Evans, my mind was on another topic.

Beck was a better CHL player and better in his AHL debut than Danault. In fact he was far better, Danault is an outlier late bloomer.

Kapanen and Lehkonen had comparable age 20 seasons overseas. Tough to compare now, because Lehkonen came over to NA at 21. But remember Lehks was just a 30 point player in Montreal. Playing with MacKinnon has unlocked another level. I think Kapanen can easily be a 30 point hardworking forward.

 

[Vachon23]

Sorry not sure why I brought up Evans, my mind was on another topic.

Beck was a better CHL player and better in his AHL debut than Danault. In fact he was far better, Danault is an outlier late bloomer.

Kapanen and Lehkonen had comparable age 20 seasons overseas. Tough to compare now, because Lehkonen came over to NA at 21. But remember Lehks was just a 30 point player in Montreal. Playing with MacKinnon has unlocked another level. I think Kapanen can easily be a 30 point hardworking forward.

Not sure Beck was a better CHL player than Danault. I think they were pretty equal, Danault was the best defensive player in the Q in his years.

And Danault have reach a level no one though he would get so the probability Beck reach that level too are not high.

For Lehkonen-Kapanen, maybe offensively but Lehkonen is stronger, better on forecheck and a beast defensively

 

[1909]

Not sure Beck was a better CHL player than Danault. I think they were pretty equal, Danault was the best defensive player in the Q in his years.

And Danault have reach a level no one though he would get so the probability Beck reach that level too are not high.

For Lehkonen-Kapanen, maybe offensively but Lehkonen is stronger, better on forecheck and a beast defensively

Danault and Lehkonen are two guys that should had spent most of their career in MTL. But we all know the reasons why they were let go. The famous « window »...

 

[WeThreeKings]

Danault and Lehkonen are two guys that should had spent most of their career in MTL. But we all know the reasons why they were let go. The famous « window »...

Bergevin let Danault walk.
Hughes traded Lehkonen as part of the rebuild.

They were both lost for different reasons.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

For Evans yes

But Beck and Kapanen being as good as Danault and Lehkonen. Those 2 are probably the highest floor they could go and I’m not even sure there is a world where Kapanen become as good as Lehkonen

They both have more offensive ability than Lehkonen and Danault. Lekhonen only looks good because he plays on a line he doesn't belong on with MacKinnon.