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

[salbutera]

That over the full season though. Since the beginning of march our pk is bottom 10. And it's not random bad luck the guys are not playing well. Savard and Armia notably.

Need to keep in mind Guhle who is also a key PK element was not in the lineup during mentioned time period this overstraining Matheson, Carrier, Savard - this all come back to the basic premise this seasons Habs are a sum of all parts team. One element removed has significant impact on overall outcome.

 

[Wateredgarden]

Imagine this kid rescues our second line out of nowhere lol

Well, it's not gonna be Newhook, Dvo or Evens!

 

[Mrb1p]

Lets not forget he was pretty bad the first time around, he was outmuscled all the time and too slow. I doubt this changed, next year is probably the year for him.

 

[HomaridII]

Who is going to tell Kapanen he can't wear 91?

 

[salbutera]

Who is going to tell Kapanen he can't wear 91?

Xhekaj… lots of free time on his hands

 

[Team_Spirit]

Demidov wants 11 not 91

Gally can go back to 73 for his last year.

 

[DiglettDangles]

Who is going to tell Kapanen he can't wear 91?

Kapanen is just generational in Rolex/60, next year he plays with 87 (you know why)

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Lets not forget he was pretty bad the first time around, he was outmuscled all the time and too slow. I doubt this changed, next year is probably the year for him.

I’m a bit excited but realistic too.

I don’t know if anyone really watched him noticed any improvements over in Sweden

 

[Erika]

Imagine this kid rescues our second line out of nowhere lol

I won't be really surprised if it happens. Can't be worst than Newhook ngl. I have confidence that he's coming with a vengeance and that he wants to prove how he improved and how he is a NHL caliber player now.

 

[Andrei79]

I’m a bit excited but realistic too.

I don’t know if anyone really watched him noticed any improvements over in Sweden

@montreal did. I watched his shift by shift videos and I found him to be really good. Not "ready for second line duties" good, but likely a better option than the AHLers they used and would allow Heineman to remain on the second line. He needs a bit more speed and strength, but that's to be a solid and consistent middle 6 player. I would slot him with Evans and Armia, even though that's a lot of RH shots.

 

[Habssince89]

I won't be really surprised if it happens. Can't be worst than Newhook ngl. I have confidence that he's coming with a vengeance and that he wants to prove how he improved and how he is a NHL caliber player now.

He's been playing C in Europe and who knows maybe he can feed Laine better than Newhook or Evans can. Worth a shot

 

[Adam Michaels]

I think we can remove the KalPa and 64th OA part of the thread title as Kapanen is now officially here.

 

[dcyhabs]

Need to keep in mind Guhle who is also a key PK element was not in the lineup during mentioned time period this overstraining Matheson, Carrier, Savard - this all come back to the basic premise this seasons Habs are a sum of all parts team. One element removed has significant impact on overall outcome.

It’s less the sum of the parts and more just barely enough talent to win when everyone is healthy. They can beat any team with a full roster and full effort, as soon as someone is hurt they struggle.

 

[ahmedou]

Kapanen is Finnish.

All you gotta do is finnish your chances!

 

[Bacchus1]

He looked alright in the few times I saw him. He just got off his flight and is adapting to a new rink and a new team (the team he left is not the same team he returned to). Looking forward to seeing if he can integrate well and take over the 2-C duties, or worse,3-C. Otherwise, some more cooking in the AHL wouldn't hurt, and he would take advantage of the AHL playoffs on a smaller surface. Fingers crossed. Let's see.

 

[OldCraig71]

I felt he resembled Beck and Roy in that he was out of his element. He might be a good player down the road but he looks more like a tweener to me.

 

[Essenege]

I felt he resembled Beck and Roy in that he was out of his element. He might be a good player down the road but he looks more like a tweener to me.

Oh I thought he was pretty good. Active in the neutral zone, decent forechecker. Thought he looked good.

But playing with Pezz and a one-handed Armia is a disservice. you got to evaluate a player carefully in that situation.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Thought he actually had a really good game. Multiple chances. Good habits in all 3 zones. If he can improve his acceleration and strength, he should be a great middle 6 option.

 

[OldCraig71]

Oh I thought he was pretty good. Active in the neutral zone, decent forechecker. Thought he looked good.

But playing with Pezz and a one-handed Armia is a disservice. you got to evaluate a player carefully in that situation.

In all fairness, I wrote that after "multiple" glasses of red wine. I just see him in the way I saw Roy and Beck in that the play looks to fast for him but I'm sure he will adjust.

 

[Bacchus1]

Oh I thought he was pretty good. Active in the neutral zone, decent forechecker. Thought he looked good.

But playing with Pezz and a one-handed Armia is a disservice. you got to evaluate a player carefully in that situation.

What is the deal with Armia? Anyone notice when he hurt his wrist (4 Nations)? How serious did it look. He was playing so well for us. I hope it improves soon.

It would be good to get that line going and see if he clicks with Kapanen.

 

[Ozmodiar]

I thought he looked good, but his time will be limited down the stretch so I don’t expect too much.

 

[Sam I Am]

Sure, the Habs have to make the playoffs but they also have to position themselves to be ready for the playoffs. Kapanen should be getting at least 10 minutes a game as he will be needed in the post season.

By the same token, Anderson's time off will allow him to recover from a tough season and help the team down the road. It would be great to clinch with a game or two left in the season to give Savard and Matheson a breather.

Now, if there's only a way to get Armia a second arm because the current version of Armia is a detriment to the team. When Anderson returns, I would consider giving Armia some time off and playing Kapanen and Pezz on the 4th line.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

He didn't play much, but he had a good game IMO. He made the most out of his few shifts and even managed to generate some scoring chances. We've got something to work with in him.

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Hockey is probably the most conservative sports now even more so than baseball.

Savard should get a few days off before the playoffs and Armia should have to sit until he can shot the puck again. I know what some dinosaur will say "but the pk, we have the best pk in the league, the most wonderful pk".

The reality is our PK has been bad for a while now. 24th in the league since march 1st. 30th in the league since march 15th. Our pk has been pretty atrocious recently and those guys are among the reasons why.

If it was baseball those guys would get some rest even in a playoffs race. What's the point of making the playoffs if our bottom 6 vets have 0 juice once it starts?

My guess is Armia’s injury is most likely surgical or else they would’ve probably rested him already if there was a chance for him to heal with conservative management.

 

[Sam I Am]

My guess is Armia’s injury is most likely surgical or else they would’ve probably rested him already if there was a chance for him to heal with conservative management.

Agreed.

I think the Habs are betting that an Armia that is unable to shoot the puck can still provide a defensive presence. Not a great recipe for the post season but I guess we'll jump off that bridge when we get to it. Maybe Kapanen will eventually slot in for him.