Claimed off Waivers: [STL] Blues claim F Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from the Penguins

[Icarium]

Pitt clearing cap for a big move?

Big move straight to the bottom, more like.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I really don't think Kapanen gets claimed but it would be amazing if he did get claimed.

I think he's a solid scoring 3rd line winger, but it's just clearly not working in Pittsburgh and they need to make a change.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

At least we know Hextall is alive

 

[EastVillageBlues]

Well, that went down hill fast.

He was even touted as a legit top-6 in Toronto.

 

[McJedi]

Welcome to Vancouver

I don’t think he’ll get claimed. Pitt sure hopes so but I don’t see it.

 

[DesertPenguin]

The Pens have zero cap space to make moves, and there's 5 players not living up to their confracts. Roughly in order starting with the worst: Carter, Dumoulin, McGinn, Blueger, Kapanen. Kappy has been underwelming, but he's probably the only one on this list that might be picked up by another team without retention or assets gojng the other way. Well see.

Carter has a NMC so we are stuck with him. Hopefully this is a precursor to moving Carter to Kapanen's spot at 3RW to lessen his responsibility and getting a 3C that can play to fill Carter's spot.

 

[Zap Rowsdower]

Another Sully victim, poor guy

 

[Transplanted Caper]

Showed a flash or two, but never found consistency in Toronto. Looks like the same happened in Pittsburgh. When the trade happened, there was some chatter Toronto was pretty glad to be rid of him for more than just hockey-related reasons.

via The Athletic when he was traded back to Pittsburgh

Mirtle: Kyle Dubas begins Leafs offseason with clean win. And he’s not done yet

This is likely just the beginning for Toronto as it overhauls its roster.

theathletic.com

He also moved out a player the organization had grown tired of, both on the ice and off. Some teams that were initially interested in Kapanen decided against the deal after digging a little deeper into some of that. But the Leafs still had plenty of suitors for him much of the year, given his package of size and speed. That interest was enough that the futures bundle became what it did.

 

[Rob Brown]

Yikes

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

No one should claim him.

Wait until he passes and if the pens want to clear more space, get a pick with him

 

[SEALBound]

What happened? He was a good, quality depth player in Toronto

Mike Sullivan happened. And Jeff Carter.

I think he'd legit be okay with a decent center a coach that has an ounce of patience. I do think the talent is there for him to be a solid 3RW.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Why is the coach announcing this??

I am starting to sense a disconnect between the coach and the GM. I think Sully still really likes Kapanen and isn't on board with this move.

 

[Connor McConnor]

I really don't think Kapanen gets claimed but it would be amazing if he did get claimed.

I think he's a solid scoring 3rd line winger, but it's just clearly not working in Pittsburgh and they need to make a change.

If a GM thinks he could do well in that role on a bottom feeder he could be a free asset you acquire and dump for a 2nd next offseason.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

Someone should nab him. He could definitely help a capable middle 6 somewhere

I am starting to sense a disconnect between the coach and the GM. I think Sully still really likes Kapanen and isn't on board with this move.

Likes him as what. His 10 min a game whipping boy?

 

[The Great Mighty Poo]

What happened? He was a good, quality depth player in Toronto

Sullivan saw he actually worked with Malkin during the COVID year so then decided to make him a 3rd liner because reasons, same reason he takes Rakell off Sid's line when they crush it and tries to make Guentzel-Crosby-Rust a thing, so the dipstick media then makes up precieved attitude and entitlement rumors about him since he's the son of a former player and grew up in NHL locker rooms.

 

[dogthateats]

No-one will claim him and JR will offer a first for him on Monday

 

[DesertPenguin]

No one should claim him.

Wait until he passes and if the pens want to clear more space, get a pick with him

That only works if you're the only team out there that wants him, and you might be right. It sounds like Hextall circulated that Kapanen was available before making this move, and there were no takers, even for a bag of pucks. This is the last ditch move before you potentially retain on Kappy to get him off the books.

 

[JumpierPegasus]

JR down. JR no. Bad

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Waived to clear cap space, not because he's the worst forward on the pens. Think there's a decent chance someone claims him.

 

[Silky mitts]

I saw a rumor today Hextall nixed a deal where he'd be traded to a team in the East because he didn't want him in the East

 

[ViD]

The end of Ovie and Sid era is near

 

[DevilsHughes86]

He will clear, no one is taking on the extra year.

Agreed, not at this time of the season

 

[DesertPenguin]

Someone should nab him. He could definitely help a capable middle 6 somewhere


Likes him as what. His 10 min a game whipping boy?

I hear you, but despite that he's always spoken highly of him and his potential. I think Sully looks at Kappy has his rehab project and takes it personally as a coach that he hasn't been able to get results out of him.

 

[General Disarray]

Wow he fell this much? He was good as a Leaf

 

[BCNate]

I don't watch him much, but his stat line looks OK. Right at .5 PPG for 3 mil isn't too far off. Why is Pittsburgh so down on him?