Guess
Registered User
I'm high on this kid, he showed a very quick level of decision making early on in preseason, he just needs to get that confidence vs real NHL players, which will come with reps and getting stronger.
Prospect Info: Oliver Kapanen, RHC, KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja), 64th Overall
- Thread starter LastWordArmy
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ahmedou
DOU
- Oct 7, 2017
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I'm hearing that Ivan Demidov is playing russian roulette with Oliver Kapanen. For the #91. No Rolex and stuff. It's dou or die.
LaP
Registered User
Sadly Demidov lost so he's now dead and wont join the Montreal Canadiens.
Very strong game today despite only 10 mins of ice time.
I like his playstyle alot.
Kapanen has top 9 potential for sure. Im impressed with his grit and hockey IQ. Looks like a future center version of Arturri Lekonen to me. I think he'll be better than Owen Beck imo.
I like his playstyle alot.
Kapanen has top 9 potential for sure. Im impressed with his grit and hockey IQ. Looks like a future center version of Arturri Lekonen to me. I think he'll be better than Owen Beck imo.
Getting stronger to play the smaller surface in tight will be important. Like what I've seen so far from Kapanen upon his return form Europe.
Dagistitsyn
Registered User
He’s doing a lot of little things right, and had a few really good scoring opportunities. Seems better this time around but it’s a small sample size.
If he keeps this style of play up for the last few games and into the playoffs, he should have Dvorak’s job next season. Don’t be fooled by Dvorak showing up for the last couple weeks of his contract after being utterly useless and disinterested for years. Unless Dvorak takes a 1 or 2 year deal max and and a pay reduction he can get lost.
If he keeps this style of play up for the last few games and into the playoffs, he should have Dvorak’s job next season. Don’t be fooled by Dvorak showing up for the last couple weeks of his contract after being utterly useless and disinterested for years. Unless Dvorak takes a 1 or 2 year deal max and and a pay reduction he can get lost.
26Mats
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- Jun 23, 2018
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If we do well in the playoffs, I ec
Spect Hughes to ice the best possible team next year for a playoff run. If that meansDvo over Kapanen, I could see Dvorak being re-signed.
26Mats
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- Jun 23, 2018
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Laine - Kapanen - Demidov may be the best offensive option. But MSL doesn’t yet trust Kapanen defensively.
Dagistitsyn
Registered User
Anything over 2 years would be a mistake imo.
I’d offer him 2 years 3.5 maximum.
One of Kapanen or Beck I think will develop into a good 3c option.
Paradoxe
Registered User
- Mar 30, 2025
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MSL might have seen the same thing than me last game, so he might try them vs Chicago
Dvorak has always played well when he is healthy, he just seemed to get hurt often enough to not be able to gain any momentum. He is a very good 3c which Kapanen is not at all ready to be yet.
People's expectations for him were always too high from an offensive production stand point but he is undeniably a good 200 foot center. We may very well let him walk due to needing to open a spot but I would not at all be against a 3 year deal at Jake Evans money if he is willing to sign for that. Kapanen and Beck don't need to be full time centers right away and could be eased into these roles over the next few seasons by playing the wing and moving to center when injuries arise.
26Mats
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I would do the same. If Kapanen or Beck are ready to beat out Dvo or Evans, Dvo or Evans can either be moved to the wing or traded.
I think Hughes will either try to sign Dvo, go with Newhook, or get another bottom six C. I don't think he'll count on Back or Kapanen. I think we're in win now mode.
Totally agree.
I expect them to try and acquire a legitimate 2c this off season as Dach may have worn their patience thin with his frat boy, dopey attitude/demeanor and his inability to stay healthy.
Slaf also needs to grow up and take direction better as he is not nearly as smart as he thinks he is and needs to listen to what he is being told. He sound like a 15 year old boy when he talks about playing like Tkachuk then losing interest after a handful of games and going back to making poor decisions and letting his linemates carry him.
Slaf is super young so I give him a lot of leeway but he has some serious maturing to do.
Got off topic a bit lol......I am stoked about our future and believe that we are much closer to contending than some may believe. If we build a legit 2nd line and keep much of the rest of the roster intact this is a contender as early as next season. This team has one of the league's better records after our 4-9-2 start and I really think that we can take a big step forward, especially if Demidov, Slaf and Reinbacher can hold their own and develop quickly.
26Mats
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Yeah, actually I think these are the points of the topic:
1. We have a lot of forwards and HuGo will have to make decisions on who to keep. Can't keep everyone already here. Plus we need to bring in a 2c and maybe they'll look for other upgrades.
2. Yeah we're ready to contend. There is no team that we can't be competitivexwith. Especially the way it seems MSL is able to make adjustments.
3. Our bottom six have been a huge strength this year. At different points Gallagher - Dvo - Anderson and Heineman - Evan's - Armia, when that line is healthy, have been our second best line, or even our best. We may be weakening ourselves by not bringing any one of those six back.
But ino Newhook and Dach don't have a place in the top 6, especially after we bring in a 2c and Demidov takes a spot. Even with Kapanen, Roy, and Beck in Laval next year developing and there as injury replacements, HuGo will need to let 2 players go.
Very good post.
I would push back a little on Newhook not being a fit in the top six as he has played with mostly terrible 5 vs 5 linemates. I think he might be a great fit with two legitimate scorers/drivers in a zone entry/puck retrieval/forechecker/shooter role. His speed will create space for more creative linemates to exploit and he wins so many races to loose pucks and has great lower body strength that will allow him to extend zone time while allowing his linemates to do the more skilled/ finer aspects of the game. He can really shoot the puck which might prove to be very fruitfull with linemates who can actually set him up which he has not had at all.
Either way he is a bottom six stud with the potential to be a great complimentary 2nd liner given the proper linemates. As long as his salary is acceptable I would keep him around.
I think it is the Roy's, Mailloux's, Mesar's and Arber Xhekaj who may very well be on the way out for established top of the lineup players. Armia is a tough call as he clearly has not been the same after getting injured and is not playing very well but he is a very nice bottom six piece to have as a possession beast and elite penalty killer when healthy.
This team can definitely win a round this year and maybe even two as there are a lot of great pieces that have the potential to form a very competitive playoff team provided that they can quickly make the needed adjustments to NHL playoff hockey. I don't like our chances against the Florida teams with their playoff hardened nucleus' and championship pedigree but I could certainly see us upsetting Washington or Toronto and potentially upsetting Carolina or Jersey in the second round.
