Confirmed with Link: Kasperi Kapanen signs ELC (3 years | $925k per)

[Uncle Machete]

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed 2014 first round draft pick Kasperi Kapanen to a three-year entry-level contract, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Jim Rutherford.

The contract will begin when Kapanen turns professional.

http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=726036&navid=DL|PIT|home

Click to read more...

 

[Pharrell Williams]

I so wanted to make this thread, but I was unsure whether to just put it in the prospect info thread or not...

 

[Captain Hook]

Nice to get it out of the way. Hopefully he pans out.

 

[Wes C Addle]

So if he stays in Finland do the years "slide" or does the clock start this year for him?

 

[penguins2946*]

That's interesting to say the least. The Pens did not need to sign Kapanen anytime soon, they would retain his rights for a few years. The only reason I think they signed him is that they were serious about giving him a look on the roster for this season.

 

[Shady Machine]

So if he stays in Finland do the years "slide" or does the clock start this year for him?

It doesn't start until he is in the NHL or AHL.

 

[Shady Machine]

That's interesting to say the least. The Pens did not need to sign Kapanen anytime soon, they would retain his rights for a few years. The only reason I think they signed him is that they were serious about giving him a look on the roster for this season.

What's so interesting about it? If you have the contract spot open, why not sign him now? I don't really think it means anything about his chances this season other than if he were to somehow amaze at camp, he'd already be signed.

 

[Jacob]

They sign a lot of players immediately after the draft.

 

[Mister Hockey]

That's great. Nice to be done with this.

 

[Shady Machine]

They sign a lot of players immediately after the draft.

Yeah Pouliot and Maatta signed their ELC's in September the year they were drafted. Nothing surprising here.

 

[mikethelegacy]

Great, albeit expected, signing. Hopefully he tears it up in training camp and make the team. Just one more nail in the Adam's Coffin i've been making.

 

[iFishyHD]

Good signing. They didn't have to sign him yet though, interesting.

 

[Zero Pucks]

This was expected. What's so interesting about this?

 

[wej20]

I think they tendency is to sign all the 1st rounders you pick straight away, unless they're going NCAA or are in Russia.

 

[TheFeistyFinn]

sweet. hopefully he makes short appereance in the NHL ...or very long one if it goes very well!

 

[Freeptop]

That's interesting to say the least. The Pens did not need to sign Kapanen anytime soon, they would retain his rights for a few years. The only reason I think they signed him is that they were serious about giving him a look on the roster for this season.

If he goes back to Europe, it doesn't make a difference (it won't count as a year off the deal, nor will it count against the contract limit). This gives them the flexibility to play him for a few games at the start of the season, if he earns it. He's a first-round pick, so he was going to get signed, why not get it out of the way? It's pretty standard procedure, in any case.

 

[Coach Travis]

Kunitz-Crosby-Kapanen #BookIt






#don'tBookIt

 

[Coach Travis]

I still think we got EXTREMELY LUCKY with this pick. The fact that he missed the World Juniors and then played on a ****** team in Finland helped him drop way further than he would have otherwise.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

I still think we got EXTREMELY LUCKY with this pick. The fact that he missed the World Juniors and then played on a ****** team in Finland helped him drop way further than he would have otherwise.

And if I remember he had an injury as well.

I agree with you, usually guys picked for their last name burn you. We only have to remember Jordan, who while good, never became anything like his older brother. But this kid is a talent all his own, in many ways better than his father was as a prospect.

As for signing this contract? No big deal, he has been signing contracts with men for years.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Not surprised by this. Now we just have to wait till September to see how he looks.

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

Won't be in the lineup this year but can see it the following. Unlike on D where guys are being blocked, we obviously have openings at forward.

Kunitz - Crosby - Kapanen
Bennett - Malkin - Hornqvist

 

[Stad]

Not surprised by this. Now we just have to wait till September to see how he looks.

You'll get a glimpse of him next week(July 15th-19th) at the prospect camp.

 

[madinsomniac]

I really want him somewhere in north America this year... best to start getting used to it like Maatta did

You'll get a glimpse of him next week(July 15th-19th) at the prospect camp.

literally, just a glimpse, because they are only opening one of those days to the public right?

 

[Fordy]

Won't be in the lineup this year but can see it the following. Unlike on D where guys are being blocked, we obviously have openings at forward.

Kunitz - Crosby - Kapanen
Bennett - Malkin - Hornqvist

i'd imagine (hope) kunitz will be out of the top six by the time kapanen is ready

 

[DearDiary]

This was expected. What's so interesting about this?

Because the Pens could go a few years without signing him. ELC only starts once he plays in the NHL or juniors. Him getting an ELC means there is a good chance he comes over this season. That doesn't mean he will, but there is a chance because Jim also said he would get a look this season