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RW Kasperi Kapanen (2014, 22nd, PIT; traded to TOR)

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wej20 said:
I think he'd much better served by polishing his game in the AHL for at least half a year.
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Yeah, he needs to learn how to play away from the puck and create his own chances, he'll definitely have help with Nylander, sure, but the guy needs to work on himself before he benefits from that.

That means...
- Improving his play away from the puck (both ends of the rink)
- Creating his own chances
- Strength training - Send his ass to Gary.

The kid is a solid talent, good bloodlines, but that's not always a guarantee. I would start him on the Marlies, give it 20 games, if he's at a ppg or better, he's earned a cup of tea in the NHL.
 
Kapanen could start the season in Toronto. The better question is should Kapanen start in Toronto and that answer is...well, yes, but only because the Marlies also play in Toronto.

His game still needs plenty of work. He's a boom/bust guy with no real defensive game to speak of. At least one season in the AHL would be the best thing for every party involved.
 
As a Leaf fan I think a full year in the AHL would be best for him. It'll be easier to try and round out his game and improve with (hopefully) top 6 minutes against a lower level of competition (but still North American ice, professional competition) than he will playing in the NHL on a likely very poor hockey team.
 
Honour Over Glory said:
Yeah, he now goes from a decent prospect to a can't miss 1st line winger that was a steal. I think we were all saying Sprong, Murray, and him were all on the same level for top Pens prospect, we still have the other 2 so it's not bad at all. Kapanen is quick, great hands, can deke inside a phone booth, but needs to get stronger, get better along the boards and get better with his play away from the puck and not disappear when the puck isn't on his stick, he also relies too much on the nifty stick work and can often lose sight of his linemates and make them more effective on his line.



Very much so. Pens just got another kid like that his year, but I don't know which one I like better between him and Sprong, Sprong for me plays with better consistency.
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I prefer Sprong, I like his attitude, his dad is his problem. Everyone knows his dad has hurt him a lot, at every level.

Kapanen left a lot to be desired at the WJC, obviously a small sample size, but I expected more.
 
I dont consider Kapanen a grade A prospect. He has excellent vision. His IQ is high but his skating isnt very good for a player that small.

If he improves he can avoid being a PP specialist.
 
Signed said:
I dont consider Kapanen a grade A prospect. He has excellent vision. His IQ is high but his skating isnt very good for a player that small.

If he improves he can avoid being a PP specialist.
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I thought his speed was a strong point.

Keefe will get out the polish and buffing cloth
 
Signed said:
I dont consider Kapanen a grade A prospect. He has excellent vision. His IQ is high but his skating isnt very good for a player that small.

If he improves he can avoid being a PP specialist.
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Uh? Skating is by far his best skill. He's an elite skater.
 
Signed said:
I dont consider Kapanen a grade A prospect. He has excellent vision. His IQ is high but his skating isnt very good for a player that small.

If he improves he can avoid being a PP specialist.
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Interesting scouting report here considering his skating is his greatest strength.
 
reminds me of Taylor Hall... Id say Toews, Hall hybrid. - Rakesh
 
Sheldon Keefe will do a great job developing Kapanen in the AHL this year. Not a huge fan of Kapanen,but I think Keefe will do a good job.

Funny how him and Nylander were compared for awhile before the draft (Sweden vs Finland) and now they'll likely play together next year.

Going to be a fun Marlies team to watch.
 
I really hope we don't bring him up next year. Another year in the AHL is definitely the best option for his development. I'm confident that this guy can evolve into a top 6 forward someday.
 
IHaveNoCreativity said:
I prefer Sprong, I like his attitude, his dad is his problem. Everyone knows his dad has hurt him a lot, at every level.

Kapanen left a lot to be desired at the WJC, obviously a small sample size, but I expected more.
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I like Sprong because the kid has the same kind of skill set as Kapanen but is a more well rounded player.

What's this about Sprong's dad?

ChickenTikkaMasala said:
reminds me of Taylor Hall... Id say Toews, Hall hybrid. - Rakesh
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Even the most optimistic of us never ever had any crazy notion of him being like Hall, not even remotely close. He's probably a closer comparison to his own dad, Sami Kapanen to be honest. Kasperi is just bigger.
 
In a flash, Kapanen becomes one of the greatest prospects to play the game of hockey.
 
Honour Over Glory said:
I like Sprong because the kid has the same kind of skill set as Kapanen but is a more well rounded player.

What's this about Sprong's dad ?
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I think Sprong is a better prospect.

The issues are: He's Dutch, they have a me first mentality which hinders thier soccer team and well thier own progress at times and that's just their culture. I think that really really rubs people the wrong way, and I think that mentality makes people question how he'll adapt to the pro game because ther Dutch mentality is about personal success first.

Daniels dad is nuts. Daniel didn't play Midget AAA in Quebec because the local team wouldn't invite him to camp due to a rift between the dad and the coaches. He's apparently very involved in Daniels career.

It almost seems like the Pens chose between to boom or bust propects.

I geuss Kapanen is a safer bet for the Leafs because I don't think there's attitude problems.
 
Expect him to score atleast 30 in the AHL..

If he plays in the NHL already next season, 25 is not out of the question mark. - Rakesh
 
There are so many accounts on his potential upside already, but I´ll throw mine in...

I think he is a sure bet middle-6 winger. He decided quite early on to become a hockey pro and have done his all to reach that. He has worked hard and will continue to do so in any given opportunity.

BUT.

He is exactly like his father. Super fast but obviously lacks something to become a first line player. On the other hand his physics and work ethic makes sure that he will become an NHLer sooner or later. Some people say high risk- high reward, I say low risk- decent reward.
 
Kapanen-Nylander-Brown could be a potential Marlie line next year. Should be fun to watch.

As for Kapanen, he is what he is. He'll either figure out how to score in the NHL and play in the top 6 or he wont figure it out at all. Still another high skilled prospect that the Leafs are adding to the cupboard. It's going to be nice once a couple of these guys start panning out.
 
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