RW Kasperi Kapanen (2014, 22nd, PIT; traded to TOR)
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Looked more overwhelmed but still had some nice shifts. Seems kind of like Kadri, if hes physically involved at the start of the game you know hes going to have a good one.
leaflover
Stanley Cup 2022
Similar.
He was the least effective of the 4 call-ups which would be a more substantial issue if the other 3 had not accounted for themselves so favorably. He'll need to make quicker decisions to excel at the NHL level which should come with experience.
Can't expect every prospect to knock your socks off right off the bat.
BusQuets
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- Jul 16, 2010
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Saying Kapanen had disappointing is extremely naive. He was one of the best possession players if not the best. He was the best player on that 1st line which didn't work well because of Hintz and Rantanen's slow start. I wasn't coincidence that the line of Saarela-Nattinen-Kapanen was instantly great when Kasperi was placed on it. The only thing he could have done better was scoring at better % otherwise he played great tournament and was probably the best defensive player on the finnish team which is why Jalonen always put him on the ice when defending the lead at the end of the game.
I've been impressed, was actually surprised he got the call up. Had him pegged for a big role on the marlies next year (not that that is out of the question). His skating and tenacity has played well.
HockeyGuruPitka
Registered User
Kapanen is the definition of a North South player. Always skating at top speed. He can become a great player if he learns how to adjust the pace of his game on each individual play. Slightly to predictable.
Right now he reminds me a lot of Burmistrov.
Right now he reminds me a lot of Burmistrov.
leaflover
Stanley Cup 2022
Oh me too, just that one of them had to finish 4th. I've recorded both games since they came up so I watch the games as a fan first then I like to watch a second time(semi-retirement has its advantages) and key on individuals. There are quite a few little things that come from experience so nothing surprising there and nothing major either.
He'll be fine but like you say, maybe more seasoning would be a prudent approach with Kasperi.
After having a solid to good camp, Kasperi has had a great start to the AHL year with 5 points in 2 games. His speed is absolutely disruptive. I'm starting to think that he might play himself into a full-time gig post TDL and a solid role in 2017-18. I'm really hoping everything clicks and he can become a solid scoring winger, but I think if that doesn't work out, he could carve himself a Carl Hagelin type role in the league. The Leafs seem to really be challengning him this year with top PP and top PK minutes.
AuraSphere
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He is playing really really well right now. I think he'll probably be one of the scoring leaders this year in the AHL. Might get called up around trade deadline.
He def raised his value and I wouldn't mind trading him off in a package for trouba
He def raised his value and I wouldn't mind trading him off in a package for trouba
Babcock said a couple of days ago that Soshnikov and Kapanen are the next two who will make it onto the Maple Leafs roster.
I wonder who they will replace.
I wonder who they will replace.
His goal and primary assist to Timashov in the last game were jaw dropping. He has elite tools.
I always laugh when posters (mostly Finnish ones) knock him for his defensive game, it's such an outdated criticism. That's easily the area which he's developed the most in my opinion. Not only was he one of the few rookies used in pre-season by Babcock on the PK, he's also on Keefe's #1 PK unit this year after being used intermittently there last year.
In a recent interview Babcock specifically pointed to Kapanen and Soshnikov as two guys due for first call-ups.
An injury. We aren't keeping Michalek long-term. Trade-wise I could see us moving Bozak at some point and moving Willy back to center which creates a spot.
leafsfan1234
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Sosh will replace Michalek some time this season. Kapanen will take Nylander's on the wing once Bozak is traded and he's moved to center.
AuraSphere
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bert
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He seems to be off to a decent start he scored..... I have a hard time understanding why he is the player that would be losing his spot. He plays a pretty heavy game on the forcheck and boards and is pretty good defensively can pk pp. Was good in the world cup too.
You would think the coaching staff would want some veteran players with playoff experience up front.
KlattNazty
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There is no way every rookie makes it. While I think that Kapanen does, on account of his tools, I think that its coming to the point where a package of young players will be moved to address some needs. Too many wingers not enough spots.
Kapanen, Soshnikov as mentioned by Babcock, but Leivo, Leipsic, Rychel are all there too. Something will give.
Kapanen, Soshnikov as mentioned by Babcock, but Leivo, Leipsic, Rychel are all there too. Something will give.
leafsfan1234
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He's the only player who isn't in the long term picture on the wing. I would guess he stays with us the rest of the season but gets sat from time to time for younger guys. There will probably be injuries to other guys though so it might not be necessary.
leafsfan1234
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He mentioned their names for a reason... They would be in the NHL today if we didn't have so much forward depth. Those other guys will be lucky to stick in the NHL at all.
I'm thinking post TDL. We aren't contending, and we may be able to get back some of the picks we have moved out (losing picks for Lou and Babs, plus the Andersen trade). So I think Michaelek sticks around until February or so. I'd say him and Bozak are the most likely of our top 9 to be moved. I don't see Kapanen being called up to play on the 4th line, Soshnikov could be, which means he'd be a candidate to replace Holland.
Kamiccolo
Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is.
With SOME of the Leafs prospects like Kapanen, I think he gets under rated because people see he isn't in the NHL, and think he is bad. It's not true, he would be in the NHL on any other team.
Leafs are literally loaded with F depth. People think we need depth but it's not true, we just need high end talent to develop. Once contracts expire he will make the team.
The other thing is if there are even slight reasons why they would benefit from another year not in the NHL, management will send them back. It's different from leafs prior.
Marner made it as he is NHL ready and the OHL will not fix his weakness'. Kapanen is ready but can still work on his two way play and on developing good habits on the ice.
I think he can be a top line winger for us at some point.
Leafs are literally loaded with F depth. People think we need depth but it's not true, we just need high end talent to develop. Once contracts expire he will make the team.
The other thing is if there are even slight reasons why they would benefit from another year not in the NHL, management will send them back. It's different from leafs prior.
Marner made it as he is NHL ready and the OHL will not fix his weakness'. Kapanen is ready but can still work on his two way play and on developing good habits on the ice.
I think he can be a top line winger for us at some point.
I would expect Holland to be moved before michalek. Leafs are looking for energy players, players with heart and play the game hard and compete. Holland does not do this. The fact that he was waived in the off-season tells you how highly the leaf management thinks of him.
Holland is currently on the 4th line, I could see him being waived to create a spot for Sosh potentially. I don't see the Leafs bringing up Kapanen to play him on the 4th line. He's getting a lot of minutes in the AHL being used in all situations.
Besides Kapanen and Soshinikov, there is Johnson playing wing, who is ready too.
I've been reading that Michalek is the first to go.....but he and Lou have a handshake deal that he has a NMC. (otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to waive his NTC when he was traded from Ottawa.) And Lou isn't going to give the Leafs a sour repetition by going back on his word.
Injuries happen and you saw it last year, the transition from the Marlies to the Leafs seem to pretty seamless when guys were called up.
I've been reading that Michalek is the first to go.....but he and Lou have a handshake deal that he has a NMC. (otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to waive his NTC when he was traded from Ottawa.) And Lou isn't going to give the Leafs a sour repetition by going back on his word.
Injuries happen and you saw it last year, the transition from the Marlies to the Leafs seem to pretty seamless when guys were called up.
Mitchy
#HFOutcasts
He is so fast. Very impressive prospect.
I always lol'd when people were saying he was a bust already and that his season in the A last year was unimpressive. For a 19 year-old, it was quite good, especially since he played on a stacked team, and was playing pretty low in the lineup. Not to mention, he barely got any powerplay time. He was still a good even-strength player though.
Now, he's one of the main pieces on the Marlies (more PP time, better linemates and playing higher in the lineup) and couple that with his natural development, it's not surprising to see his start.
I always lol'd when people were saying he was a bust already and that his season in the A last year was unimpressive. For a 19 year-old, it was quite good, especially since he played on a stacked team, and was playing pretty low in the lineup. Not to mention, he barely got any powerplay time. He was still a good even-strength player though.
Now, he's one of the main pieces on the Marlies (more PP time, better linemates and playing higher in the lineup) and couple that with his natural development, it's not surprising to see his start.
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