Recalled/Assigned: Oliver Kapanen Will Be Assigned to Laval

[Tyson]

so we should be able to get «value» for Roy, Kapanen or Mailloux!

I am not on the trade Mailloux train but imo neither Roy or Kapanen have a future in Montreal so yes...they can be thrown in.
A 6'3 220 pound RD I would hold on too at least one more year.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I am not on the trade Mailloux train but imo neither Roy or Kapanen have a future in Montreal so yes...they can be thrown in.
A 6'3 220 pound RD I would hold on too at least one more year.

Imo your opinion is subpar in this specific instance

 

[Tyson]

Imo your opinion is subpar in this specific instance

Time will tell.

 

[salbutera]

But shouldn't somebody be telling him these obvious things?

And did Roy not improve a lot in D+2 abd D+3 but not D+4?

Just curious, what were your strengths and weaknesses as a player?

That’s why this concept of “developing” after the draft is a BS red herring…. to become an NHLer in any capacity for more than a cup of coffee requires high end hunger, to take it up a notch, the ones w elite hunger are the ones constantly “developing” (re: improving)

Roy doesn’t possess high end hunger let alone elite hunger

 

[Archijerej]

Kapanen's got good instincts, but if he ever makes it, I believe he's a classic case of a prospect needing long and careful development in the AHL.

 

[DAChampion]

That’s why this concept of “developing” after the draft is a BS red herring…. to become an NHLer in any capacity for more than a cup of coffee requires high end hunger, to take it up a notch, the ones w elite hunger are the ones constantly “developing” (re: improving)

Roy doesn’t possess high end hunger let alone elite hunger

Why does the requirement of drive/hunger/ambition negate development?

It is drive that ... Drives development.

 

[salbutera]

Why does the requirement of drive/hunger/ambition negate development?

It is drive that ... Drives development.

Yup - Without drive / hunger there is no development

Roy doesn’t possess high end hunger vs MSLs which was off the charts elite

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Is Kapanen AHL eligible? His career is coming at the cross roads. He's got the talent but he needs to play in the AHL and be within close up vision of Hughes and Marty.

He's 6'2" and 200 pounds on a high tempo aggressive team. He needs to uptempo his game in order to catch eyeballs and make himself relevant. Showing a "mature" game is not ehough. Showing a "steady, skilled" game is not enough either. I thought he did that in game 3, but he wasn't standing out as a playoff player...

Just my two cents...

As noted, this kid earned a spot/tryout stint with the Canadiens out of training camp this year, performed effectively in SEL, played competently for the Canadiens during the recent playoffs and now is playing for Laval and is being used regularly and in high leverage situations by a supposedly competent coaching staff. And many here are already writing him off? I find it somewhat amusing that a player like Roy, who has largely struggled and underperformed, is (was) viewed and penciled in by many here as a certain top six forward for the Canadiens. How has that forecast turned out? With respect to Kapanen, maybe all the professional coaches and managers who are employing Kapanen see something in this young player that many of the armchair critics here don't appreciate.

For the record, I think Kapanen's skills, compete level, upside and utility make him a good bet to make this team going forward. This year was the first major step in the evolution of the team's roster. Over the coming year(s) you will see a flushing out of those players who are in decline and show little indications of upside. People may be surprised by some of the transformational transactions that Hughes and Co. will engage in. A number of sacred cows and supposed stalwarts will be moved. Just watching the playoffs this year, one can readily see the speed, physicality and intensity needed to compete and win in the NHL today. It's a war out there. Any current or prospective player who can't provide these elements or perform effectively in this intense, competitive environment, will have little future or value to the Canadiens or, any other team watching.

 

[Tyson]

---

As noted, this kid earned a spot/tryout stint with the Canadiens out of training camp this year, performed effectively in SEL, played competently for the Canadiens during the recent playoffs and now is playing for Laval and is being used regularly and in high leverage situations by a supposedly competent coaching staff. And many here are already writing him off? I find it somewhat amusing that a player like Roy, who has largely struggled and underperformed, is (was) viewed and penciled in by many here as a certain top six forward or the Canadiens. How has that forecast turned out? With respect to Kapanen, maybe all the professional coaches and managers who are employing Kapanen see something in this young player that many of the armchair critics here don't appreciate.

For the record, I think Kapanen's skills, compete level, upside and utility make him a good bet to make this team going forward. This year was the first major step in the evolution of the team's roster. Over the coming year(s) you will see a flushing out of those players who are in decline and show little indications of upside. People may be surprised by some of the transformational transactions that Hughes and Co. will engage in. A number of sacred cows and supposed stalwarts will be moved. Just watching these playoffs one can readily see the speed, physicality and intensity needed to compete and win in the NHL today. It's a war out there. Any player who can't provide these elements or perform effectively in this intense, competitive environment, will have little future or value to the Canadiens or, any other team watching.

You are not wrong Admiral, we are armchair critics and most of us are usually wrong, especially me. That's what makes this site fun to visit.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

---

You are not wrong Admiral, we are armchair critics and most of us are usually wrong, especially me. That's what makes this site fun to visit.

I do this professionally, and I make more than my share of mistakes. I know of only one person who is seemingly infallible. I also hear he's a pretty good golfer.

 

[lamp9post]

Kapanen's got good instincts, but if he ever makes it, I believe he's a classic case of a prospect needing long and careful development in the AHL.

I'm not sure about that. He made the team out of training camp and was loaned to Timra not because he wasn't good enough, but because the team was a disaster after the first 12 games and they did what was best for his development. Being recalled back to the Habs during the playoffs and most important games leading up to the playoffs is a testament to the level of trust the team has in this young player.

As noted, this kid earned a spot/tryout stint with the Canadiens out of training camp this year, performed effectively in SEL, played competently for the Canadiens during the recent playoffs and now is playing for Laval and is being used regularly and in high leverage situations by a supposedly competent coaching staff. And many here are already writing him off? I find it somewhat amusing that a player like Roy, who has largely struggled and underperformed, is (was) viewed and penciled in by many here as a certain top six forward for the Canadiens. How has that forecast turned out? With respect to Kapanen, maybe all the professional coaches and managers who are employing Kapanen see something in this young player that many of the armchair critics here don't appreciate.

For the record, I think Kapanen's skills, compete level, upside and utility make him a good bet to make this team going forward. This year was the first major step in the evolution of the team's roster. Over the coming year(s) you will see a flushing out of those players who are in decline and show little indications of upside. People may be surprised by some of the transformational transactions that Hughes and Co. will engage in. A number of sacred cows and supposed stalwarts will be moved. Just watching the playoffs this year, one can readily see the speed, physicality and intensity needed to compete and win in the NHL today. It's a war out there. Any current or prospective player who can't provide these elements or perform effectively in this intense, competitive environment, will have little future or value to the Canadiens or, any other team watching.

I agree. I think fans will be pleasantly surprised with Kapanen once he establishes himself into a consistent role with the team. The sample size we've had so far include 12 games on the 4th line to start the season when the team was a disaster, and then as a plug-and-play player who filled in on several lines as needed in the playoffs and games leading up to them. Not an ideal set of circumstances for a player to showcase their abilities, but Kapanen at least managed to show that he's a pretty well-schooled and reliable player, perhaps in line to earn a full time spot next season.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I am not on the trade Mailloux train but imo neither Roy or Kapanen have a future in Montreal so yes...they can be thrown in.
A 6'3 220 pound RD I would hold on too at least one more year.

Not a believer in Kapanen?

I really haven’t seen much of him tbh. Seems like he needs to make big gains physically and skating wise.

Rooting for him but I have zero insight into him.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

---

You are not wrong Admiral, we are armchair critics and most of us are usually wrong, especially me. That's what makes this site fun to visit.

Agreed that we are all wrong a lot including myself as are the professionals as drafting/developing/prognosticating are very inexact sciences even at the highest level.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

Not a believer in Kapanen?

I really haven’t seen much of him tbh. Seems like he needs to make big gains physically and skating wise.

Rooting for him but I have zero insight into him.

IMO he is a surefire NHLer who needs to add some bulk/strength as well as a little more quickness which is the case with the vast majority of prospects. He has the IQ, compete, hands and shot to be a very good middle six forward and those who are judging him this early are doing so foolishly. The things that he needs to work on are by far the easiest things to improve on as simply maturing into a full grown adult will often do the trick on it's own.

 

[MasterD]

I think this player, if he gets to the point of building up his muscular mass close to Heineman and learn the physicality, he can become a surprise in any NHL team. He's still raw.

True for most players. I haven't see many 20+ years old players develop physicality.

 

[MasterD]

I am not on the trade Mailloux train but imo neither Roy or Kapanen have a future in Montreal so yes...they can be thrown in.
A 6'3 220 pound RD I would hold on too at least one more year.

I'd do 2 more years at least. He basically didn't have a junior career. He's a very special case.

 

[Tyson]

I'd do 2 more years at least. He basically didn't have a junior career. He's a very special case.

%
Great point

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

True for most players. I haven't see many 20+ years old players develop physicality.

It is very common and closer to the norm to see 20+ year old players develop physicality as they gain strength/mass and become confident in their ability to use it. If you are referring to meanness or motor/drive I am more inclined to agree as these traits are more innate. The exception for me is kids who are already big and strong and do not engage physically which is why I am not too keen on drafting Lakovic with the limited knowledge that I have concerning his abilities. Kapanen has always battled in the dirty areas and I have no doubt that he will become more physical as he gains some mass/strength and is actually able to win battles and benefit from throwing hits instead of bouncing off of his opponent. He simply doesn't have the confidence in his ability to impose his will on older/stronger competition at this stage in his development.

Perhaps our definition of physicality differs and we are just at odds due to semantics.

 

[TT1]

reminds me of a lot of Lehkonen in the sense that he makes good reads and gets opportunities but he just can't finish yet, Lehkonen was a better forechecker tho

 

[ChesterNimitz]

I'd do 2 more years at least. He basically didn't have a junior career. He's a very special case.

Mailloux is already 22. His window for improving to make the leap to the NHL is closing quickly. Very few players have substantial improvements after 22/23. I’m afraid at this point what you see in Mailloux today is what you’re going to get.

I hope I’m wrong.

 

[MasterD]

Mailloux is already 22. His window for improving to make the leap to the NHL is closing quickly. Very few players have substantial improvements after 22/23. I’m afraid at this point what you see in Mailloux today is what you’re going to get.

I hope I’m wrong.

I generally agree, but like I said Mailloux basically didn't have a junior career.

He's one of those players who, in MSL's words, "a besoin de beaucoup de touches".

He just doesn't have the experience of most 22y/o players.

That said I agree, the window's closing in rapidly and he might not become what I hope he becomes.

Boom-or-bust end of 1st round pick. I'm fine with it.

Maybe give him 1 more year then try him at RW+ the point on the PP?

 

[MasterD]

It is very common and closer to the norm to see 20+ year old players develop physicality as they gain strength/mass and become confident in their ability to use it. If you are referring to meanness or motor/drive I am more inclined to agree as these traits are more innate. The exception for me is kids who are already big and strong and do not engage physically which is why I am not too keen on drafting Lakovic with the limited knowledge that I have concerning his abilities. Kapanen has always battled in the dirty areas and I have no doubt that he will become more physical as he gains some mass/strength and is actually able to win battles and benefit from throwing hits instead of bouncing off of his opponent. He simply doesn't have the confidence in his ability to impose his will on older/stronger competition at this stage in his development.

Perhaps our definition of physicality differs and we are just at odds due to semantics.

100% I didn't mean he can't become stronger and bigger, obviously.

What I meant is you rarely see guys develop a mean streak in the NHL. They got it, or they don't. Happy hasn't shown any yet.

 

[salbutera]

Kapanen is Ylonen revisited…pure vanilla hockey player

 

[DAChampion]

Mailloux is already 22. His window for improving to make the leap to the NHL is closing quickly. Very few players have substantial improvements after 22/23. I’m afraid at this point what you see in Mailloux today is what you’re going to get.

I hope I’m wrong.

There are three reasons for Mailloux to take longer.

He's big.
He's a defenseman.
He missed a lot of time in junior.

 

[DAChampion]

Kapanen is Ylonen revisited…pure vanilla hockey player

The way your post reads is that Kappanen and Ylonen are both Swedish forwards drafted in the second round, so they're the same.

From what I recall of Ylonen, he was a fast skater with a good shot, but he was lazy and dumb. Kappanen is a center and not a winger, he's smart, has good defensive play, and had superior LIIGA stats.