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

[WTFMAN99]

I always hate these "He'll never commit to play defense, never be a two way player" comments for young guys. It's hard to teach skill. It's hard to teach hockey sense/vision. Skating can be improved, but it's hard to make a bad skater a good skater. Shooting can be improved, but it's hard to make a bad shooter into a sniper.

Having a forward learn to play defense and be a better 2 way player is probably the easiest thing to teach. Of course they have to want to do it, but that's what coaching is for. Yzerman learned it (much to his chagrin at first)..heck, even Skinner is learning it, so if Kapanen doesn't have that aspect now, it doesn't mean he'll never have it.

Won't see NHL ice for a Mike Babcock team if he can't play defense, but I haven't heard it as being a giant concern for him.

 

[QnebO]

Won't see NHL ice for a Mike Babcock team if he can't play defense, but I haven't heard it as being a giant concern for him.

Most Finns at this board are polar opposite of homers for Kapanen. Any one who watches the games should see the truth themself rather than asking them.

Kapanen is rooted from Savo. People from Savo get alot of hate, as they're more talk-active, social and sarcastic / humorous than rest of Finns and on top of that, self confident. Kinda not fitting the big picture I guess, but it is what it is.

 

[QnebO]

Second Gold Winning goal for Kapanen in his young NT career. The other one was from junior olympics. Clutch!

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Most Finns at this board are polar opposite of homers for Kapanen. Any one who watches the games should see the truth themself rather than asking them.

Kapanen is rooted from Savo. People from Savo get alot of hate, as they're more talk-active, social and sarcastic / humorous than rest of Finns and on top of that, self confident. Kinda not fitting the big picture I guess, but it is what it is.

Sounds like the Finnish version of Toronto hate across Canada. He'll fit in just fine here.

 

[GBLeaf]

Won't see NHL ice for a Mike Babcock team if he can't play defense, but I haven't heard it as being a giant concern for him.

It can't be a huge concern for Babcock, as he said Timashov was close to the show this summer after his camp performance.

 

[FreeBird]

Kapanen is a reliable defensive guy so that makes you look silly for that odd and false statement.

He was on the ice and lost the battle on the boards and the Russians were able to send the game into over time. Because he lost the battle with a feeble effort the game would have been over in regulation.

 

[BusQuets]

He was on the ice and lost the battle on the boards and the Russians were able to send the game into over time. Because he lost the battle with a feeble effort the game would have been over in regulation.

And so what? You think Toews, Koivu or Kopitar has never done a bad clear? The point is that Jalonen put him there because he trusts Kapanen.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Won't see NHL ice for a Mike Babcock team if he can't play defense, but I haven't heard it as being a giant concern for him.

True, but that's what AHL development is for.

 

[aahola]

And so what? You think Toews, Koivu or Kopitar has never done a bad clear? The point is that Jalonen put him there because he trusts Kapanen.

The fact that Jalonen chose him doesn't mean he's good defensively, for a number of reasons.

 

[Gavy]

Kapanen isn't bad defensively.

 

[mikebel111*]

Your right both he and Nylander are Kessel clones, one zone guys.

Wrong as usual

 

[mikebel111*]

And so what? You think Toews, Koivu or Kopitar has never done a bad clear? The point is that Jalonen put him there because he trusts Kapanen.

Its called his agenda to dump on anything Leafs

While declaring his Habs players certain hall of famers

 

[BusQuets]

The fact that Jalonen chose him doesn't mean he's good defensively, for a number of reasons.

Actually it kinda literally does mean he's good defensively. Unless Jalonen wanted to lose or he doesn't know his players.

 

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

claims at the interview he has never done wrap-around goal before, definitely didn't look like that.

He got a little help from the Russian whose leg clipped his own goalie's pad making it difficult to move from one post to the other swiftly.

Still happy for him as a Leafs fan and hoping he can build off of it.

 

[aahola]

Actually it kinda literally does mean he's good defensively. Unless Jalonen wanted to lose or he doesn't know his players.

I'd agree if Jalonen's view was always the truth. Obviously it isn't, or why else would he have insisted on starting with Vehviläinen in many games after his lackluster performances?

You have to remember that Jalonen's opinions are subjective (as well as any other coach's).

 

[snizzbone*]

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Damn that is nice.

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

junior age

Although I'm not sold on Kapanen as a solid NHLer,remember he and Nylander would still be in junior if they were North Americans. The CBA allows Europeans more flexibility on where they play.

 

[Knies iT]

Ridiculous play.

He's a gamebreaker offensively.

 

[traffic cone]

Although I'm not sold on Kapanen as a solid NHLer,remember he and Nylander would still be in junior if they were North Americans. The CBA allows Europeans more flexibility on where they play.

The rule is not about the player's nationality. It's about what league was he drafted from.

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

Don't know why but I can't stop laughing when he gets taken down at the end.

 

[behemolari]

Don't know why but I can't stop laughing when he gets taken down at the end.

He battles so hard just for being clipped at the end

 

[WilliamNylander]

Nice

 

[RayNibbs]

Don't know why but I can't stop laughing when he gets taken down at the end.

I was still chuckling as I closed it and looked down to see your comment. And I still am aha, I better go to sleep.

 

[Stats01]

man he is going to be so good. With the Leafs likely drafting 1 of Matthews, Pujujarvi, Laine, it is going to be exciting to see these young Leafs in a few years. Really building a nice core.