Sportsnet: ‘Sometimes it’s tough love’: Bond among Leafs’ Kapanen, Keefe pays off

[LeafsNation75]

This is my favorite part of Chris Johnston's story.

The past with Keefe, warts and all, comes with benefits. A coach still adjusting to life in the NHL already knows what buttons to push. And he’s seen Kapanen quietly put together a productive stretch with nine points to show for his last 10 games.

“There’s a history there. There’s, I hope, some trust in it,” Keefe said. “But also you have information — you’re not filling as many gaps in terms of what a player’s been through and what their personality might be and what they might respond to.”

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[Mickey Marner]

I appreciate that he knows which line Kapanen belongs on.

 

[stickty111]

It's similar to what he does to Willie. He isn't afraid to send a message but he loves both players.

 

[Gabriel426]

It also goes the other way too. As Willie, Kap and others played under Keefe and understand Keefe’s ideas along with the way he communicates.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Hyman Matthews Marner
Mikheyev Tavares Nylander
__________ Engvall Kapanen

Kapanen a virtual lock as we need RHS top 9 forwards.

For that last top 9 spot next year...I vote Korshkov.

Candidates:
Korshkov Kerfoot Johnsson Bracco Petan Timashov Moore Spezza Gauthier Marchment Aberg Brooks Robertson

 

[Rokker]

Our forward depth is fantastic. There is no way we can't use that depth to upgrade the D, it's only a matter time.

Hard to move Kapanen at this point though.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I like Kapanen... he has all the tools.
The problem is, he tries that 'extra' play when teammates are in a commit zone of the ice.

 

[horner]

I like Kapanen... he has all the tools.
The problem is, he tries that 'extra' play when teammates are in a commit zone of the ice.

I agree
I hope Keefe can take that out of his game.

 

[saltming]

Hyman Matthews Marner
Mikheyev Tavares Nylander
__________ Engvall Kapanen

Kapanen a virtual lock as we need RHS top 9 forwards.

For that last top 9 spot next year...I vote Korshkov.

Candidates:
Korshkov Kerfoot Johnsson Bracco Petan Timashov Moore Spezza Gauthier Marchment Aberg Brooks Robertson

Korshkov has to prove he can play at the NHL level first.
I would keep Kerfoot as the centre of the 3rd line
Engvall Kerfoot Kapanen
Maybe a 4th of
Korshkov Goat Moore/Timashov

 

[LeafGrief]

Kappy has looked pretty good for a lot of this year. Rough start when he was tried out on the top two lines, but he's settled right in and is a great contributor on the third. When we talk about character on the team, Kappy is one of the first guys that I think of. He's guilty of having games where he looks invisible, but when the team has had lethargic stretches he's always looked like one of the guys who has the fire in him. He's one of our players who hate losing and he stands out in a good way when we're struggling. It's great when he's on the scoreboard, but I think he brings so much to this team in all facets of the game. Make no mistake, he's a depth piece, but he's arguably our best depth piece. Speed, versatility, competitive edge, and don't forget that he's got a knack for clutch goals. If we're building a team around speed and skill he's pretty much the perfect depth piece. Trading him would be a colossal mistake unless we get a slam-dunk of a return. We need more of his fire.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

upgrade the D, it's only a matter time.

It needs to happen soon.

 

[Magic Man]

I like how he talks about his own physical game and how he hasn't been doing it as often as he should and that he plans to do more of it. I thought he led the charge that way in the Calgary game, actually his entire line did well that way.

 

[I am Canadian]

Kapanen needs to be the most expensive third liner we have.

The rest of the roster needs to be min contracts with maybe 2M for our third line C.

If we go into next year with Kapanen (3.2M) Kerfoot (3.5M) Johnsson (3.4M) then that's a failure imo. That money needs to be spent on D.

 

[ponder]

He had a rough start to the season, but quickly turned it around, and has been excellent since. He’s a major difference maker on the 3rd line, opponents have so much trouble with his speed, and his hockey IQ has improved substantially, he’s been playing a pretty smart game with lots of heady plays.

Overall he’s been having a really good season IMO. He’s on pace for close to 50 points as a 3rd liner who’s not on the top PP, and who kills penalties and has quite a significant defensive role. That’s not easy to do!

 

[StevenB]

Kappy has looked pretty good for a lot of this year. Rough start when he was tried out on the top two lines, but he's settled right in and is a great contributor on the third. When we talk about character on the team, Kappy is one of the first guys that I think of. He's guilty of having games where he looks invisible, but when the team has had lethargic stretches he's always looked like one of the guys who has the fire in him. He's one of our players who hate losing and he stands out in a good way when we're struggling. It's great when he's on the scoreboard, but I think he brings so much to this team in all facets of the game. Make no mistake, he's a depth piece, but he's arguably our best depth piece. Speed, versatility, competitive edge, and don't forget that he's got a knack for clutch goals. If we're building a team around speed and skill he's pretty much the perfect depth piece. Trading him would be a colossal mistake unless we get a slam-dunk of a return. We need more of his fire.

One thing I’ve noticed with kappy is that when our team is struggling he has the ability to take control of momentum. I feel like as soon as the other team tries to slow it down he’ll just come out flying up and down the ice and you want to build on that. I have no problem keeping him pencilled in on the 3rd line as long as we keep him away from the first.