News Article: Kasperi Kapanen Discussion

[Nithoniniel]

How about Moore Marner Kappenen on the third line. Lights out Presidents cup. EZ PZ

Yeah, splitting up one of the best duos in the league last year to put a guy who's almost always been a winger as third line center would surely help so much.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Early days but Kapanen needs to turn it around.

If the 3rd line continues to be strong, no need to break it up...and he's not worth that $ on the 4th line.

He'd be considered "excess" at that point, even if you need to include something to get a power forward or some defensive help.

 

[kb]

Yet he's still better then most the prospects to come out of our system for the past decade. I'm okay with it if that's all he is. Keep in mind his dad got better with age.

If that is all he is and the salary cap wasn't an issue, I would agree. Wait it out.

That isn't the case though, unfortunately. The Leafs are in win now mode. When Hyman gets back, Kapanen will go back to his natural RW side. Do the Leafs break up what has arguably been the most consistent line (3rd line) this season? I'm not sure I would break up the chemistry that line has shown.

If he's not playing in the top-9, a $3.2 million 4th liner is not a luxury that the Leafs can afford running a 20/21 man roster when there are issues elsewhere that need to be addressed (bottom pairing D, backup G).

I'd love nothing better than for Kapanen to make me eat my words. But I believe someone will need to be moved so the Leafs can move away from living on a razors edge with regards to depth, and the ability to withstand a couple of injuries. They need NHL quality depth on their roster, not AHL fillers from the Marlies if they really want to make a run at it this season.

 

[IPS]

They've always tried to suppress numbers in an attempt to keep the cap hit down.
Poor usage of players has been discussed here since the cap became a thing. Not a huge issue since they've been winning but it certainly exists.
You even list a bunch of reasons why they would optimize the lines yet they don't and haven't.
I understand the skepticism but it's a reality of todays league.

This sound like the same nonsense that was spouted when the big 3 were on their ELC's.

Everyone saying that was wrong then and they're wrong now

Might be time to admit you just don't have a clue how negotiations go down.

 

[Cynical]

I see Kapanen is this year's whipping boy. Wondered who it would be now that Kadri and Gardner are gone.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Kappy was a streaky player last year, expected as a young player .. Difference was that he started hot last season so that he could ride that out during his cold streaks.

He should be fine but in a few games if he's not being more impactful on the ice, they should switch it up.

Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Moore-Kerfoot-Kapanen

That's what I'd roll with. Kap could blend well with the skill sets of Kerfoot and Moore, plus his speed matches that line as well.

 

[IPS]

Kappy was a streaky player last year, expected as a young player .. Difference was that he started hot last season so that he could ride that out during his cold streaks.

He should be fine but in a few games if he's not being more impactful on the ice, they should switch it up.

Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Moore-Kerfoot-Kapanen

That's what I'd roll with. Kap could blend well with the skill sets of Kerfoot and Moore, plus his speed matches that line as well.

I've been slowly coming to the conclusion that Kapanen might just be a 3rd line player and nothing more. It sucks cause I've been a fan of Kappy since the start.

 

[BertCorbeau]

I've been slowly coming to the conclusion that Kapanen might just be a 3rd line player and nothing more. It sucks cause I've been a fan of Kappy since the start.

I think it's too early to tell at the NHL level .. Really only 1.5 seasons in, with 1 season of top 9 experience. Proved to be effective enough in a complimentary role in the top 6. He's not a driver of offense in the top 6 though. I do think he's showing that he's not a LWer at the NHL level right now.

I would say he ranges from a high end 3rd liner to a middle-tier 2nd liner, capable of 20-25 goals/40-50 points through his offensive prime if he's given the top 6 opportunity. Otherwise, on the third line, he's probably more of a 15 goal/30-35 point winger.

 

[Menzinger]

Kappy is a valuable player to the team, but that sky high sh% thatbhe rode last season really distorted some flks views of his abilities.

He and Kerfoot seem a match made in heaven - I look forward to seeing them together eventually

 

[Stephen]

I see Kapanen is this year's whipping boy. Wondered who it would be now that Kadri and Gardner are gone.

I thought it was going to be Kerfoot and Ceci, but yeah, I think it's Kapanen now.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Kappy is a vulnerable player to the team, but that sky high sh% thatbhe rode last season really distorted some flks views of his abilities.

He and Kerfoot seem a match made in heaven - I look forward to seeing them together eventually

Huh? His shooting percentage was 11.5% last year unless you mean something different? Doesn't seem too out of line to me.

 

[kb]

Huh? His shooting percentage was 11.5% last year unless you mean something different? Doesn't seem too out of line to me.

It's not, but his shooting % was close to 30 in the first couple of months, which meant a lot of early luck inflated it.

 

[Swedish Gretzky]

Keep Kapanen on the 2nd line. That line is too talented to not get it going.

3rd line is clicking right now so there is a good argument to keep Mikheyev on tue 3rd line.

But most importantly, need to keep Mikheyev on the bottom 6 for most the season so his stats dont get inflated. (We nee to sign him on a good deal this offseason)

just my opinion

PS: Nick Robertson looks like a surefire future top 6 forward

 

[kb]

Keep Kapanen on the 2nd line. That line is too talented to not get it going.

3rd line is clicking right now so there is a good argument to keep Mikheyev on tue 3rd line.

But most importantly, need to keep Mikheyev on the bottom 6 for most the season so his stats dont get inflated. (We nee to sign him on a good deal this offseason)

just my opinion

PS: Nick Robertson looks like a surefire future top 6 forward

I would try to pry Nick Ritchie out of Anaheim for a couple of reasons. And give one of Kapanen/Johnsson to do it, along with other pieces.

It would be nice to run this.

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Ritchie - Matthews - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Moore
Korshkov - Goat - Spezza

No Johnsson or Kapanen in there, and it looks deadly. 6' 3" or more on the 4th line

 

[Swedish Gretzky]

I would try to pry Nick Ritchie out of Anaheim for a couple of reasons. And give one of Kapanen/Johnsson to do it, along with other pieces.

It would be nice to run this.

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Ritchie - Matthews - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Moore
Korshkov - Goat - Spezza

No Johnsson or Kapanen in there, and it looks deadly. 6' 3" or more on the 4th line

I would trade either Johnsson or Kapanen for Ritchie in a heartbeat

 

[kb]

I would trade either Johnsson or Kapanen for Ritchie in a heartbeat

It's probably a pipe dream, but do the trade and tell Babcock he has to put Ritchie in the Hyman role with Matthews. Ritchie actually does have decent hands. Or put him with Tavares/Marner and bump Hyman back with Matthews/Nylander.

No matter what, it's a nice mix in the top 6 without touching the 3rd line.

 

[Superstar]

I would try to pry Nick Ritchie out of Anaheim for a couple of reasons. And give one of Kapanen/Johnsson to do it, along with other pieces.

It would be nice to run this.

Hyman - Tavares - Marner
Ritchie - Matthews - Nylander
Mikheyev - Kerfoot - Moore
Korshkov - Goat - Spezza

No Johnsson or Kapanen in there, and it looks deadly. 6' 3" or more on the 4th line

Would Dubas do it though? You know, the guy who only wants skill and no grit.

 

[kb]

Would Dubas do it though? You know, the guy who only wants skill and no grit.

Oh, I think he would. His Soo and Marlies teams always had enforcers. Ritchie is someone who could play a complementary role the top 6, while handling the more limited role of the enforcer nowadays. Ritchie was on pace for Kap/Johnsson production last year. Who are both currently in ill suited roles in the top 6.

 

[Superstar]

Oh, I think he would. His Soo and Marlies teams always had enforcers. Ritchie is someone who could play a complementary role the top 6, while handling the more limited role of the enforcer nowadays. Ritchie was on pace for Kap/Johnsson production last year. Who are both currently in ill suited roles in the top 6.

You know Don Cherry would be happy...lol...put Ritchie and Nylander besides Matthews.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Would Dubas do it though? You know, the guy who only wants skill and no grit.

no, Dubas doesn't want bad players who can't offer anything besides size. I don't know how that turned into him hating grit but it's not accurate

 

[HomerJLeafs]

Kappy needs to be better
But to be honest i always questioned his hockey iq he tends to not use his linemates when he is in a funk and not scoring etc also he had documented confidence issues
All between the ears for him

 

[kb]

Kappy needs to be better
But to be honest i always questioned his hockey iq he tends to not use his linemates when he is in a funk and not scoring etc also he had documented confidence issues
All between the ears for him

100%. He just can't process the game speed against decent competition.

 

[MJ65]

I still believe that he is a very useful player and he is going to bounce back but I am thoroughly disappointed so far this season

They should move him to 3rd line and Mikheyev to either Matthews' or Tavares line (he should at least be given a chance)

 

[ULF_55]

https://www.tsn.ca/video/are-tavares-and-marner-missing-hyman~1800450

Yeah, let's blame Kapanen for the two double digit dips.

Maybe it's the C weighing down Tavares and the gold marner's stuffing down his shorts during games slowing him down?

They will be better, but in their own zone they've be easy pickings and other than the PP they're doing nothing offensively.

 

[GoonieFace]

Kapanen is a chicken with his head cut off. He just skates really fast in a straight line and has no real hockey sense. He needs to move off that Tavares line. Maybe Moore or Mihkeyev can take his spot until the real MVP comes back