NHL Player - Kasperi Kapanen

Walshy7

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Sep 18, 2016
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That's tough cause you're gambling away a pretty much sure fire bottom 6 NHLer (at least) in Kap for a mystery box possible top 6 player in Pulju. I like to think I'm pretty high on Pulju but I'm not sure I'd gamble for that, especially with the Leafs strength at the right wing currently. Maybe Nylander moves to the left but still, kinda risky.

Of course there is risk, and I don’t think I’d do it. The only reason you could possibly get a puljujarvi pedigree player is because he has under performed so far.

I love Kapanen I don’t think I’d do the trade but it’s a thinker though isn’t it?
 

Boutette

Been there done that
Sep 28, 2017
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That's tough cause you're gambling away a pretty much sure fire bottom 6 NHLer (at least) in Kap for a mystery box possible top 6 player in Pulju. I like to think I'm pretty high on Pulju but I'm not sure I'd gamble for that, especially with the Leafs strength at the right wing currently. Maybe Nylander moves to the left but still, kinda risky.

I'd call Kap a middle six forward on many teams. People seem to forget how forward heavy the Leafs are. The team this year will effectively have 2 1st lines, 1 2nd line and 1 third line. With all the talent, there isn't really any room on the squad for real 4th liners.
 

34

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Mar 26, 2010
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I predict a 20 goal season from Kapanen this upcoming 2018/2019.

He is going to come into camp ready to go.
 

Walshy7

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Sep 18, 2016
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i completely agree.

i would say anything LESS than 20 goals will be a disappointment for me.

I have high expectations for him this year.

Whoa pump the breaks. A disappointment? You don’t even know where he will be playing it’s likely he plays on the 4th line, I’m sorry but par lindholm and Tyler ennis don’t scream players that will help a guy get 20 goals
 

Canadian Finn

Oskee Wee Wee
Feb 21, 2014
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for ME.

(for me).

I'm much higher on him than the rest of ya.

I believe he will hit 20 goals, and if he doesn't, I will be disappointed.

I believe he is WAY better than most of you are giving him credit for. Way better.
 

Walshy7

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Sep 18, 2016
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for ME.

(for me).

I'm much higher on him than the rest of ya.

I believe he will hit 20 goals, and if he doesn't, I will be disappointed.

I believe he is WAY better than most of you are giving him credit for. Way better.

I love Kapanen you aren some lone man on an island here. Unfortunately the coach loves Connor brown and to begin the season at the very least brown will get 3rw ka Anne will have to take 4rw
 

TootooTrain

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Jun 12, 2010
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I love Kapanen you aren some lone man on an island here. Unfortunately the coach loves Connor brown and to begin the season at the very least brown will get 3rw ka Anne will have to take 4rw

Exactly. We were all high on Marner, however could he put up ridiculous numbers on the 4th line/special teams? No. All that aside, I still expect Kapanen to be a 20/20 guy, but that would be his ceiling for this upcoming year. Not a floor. Has nothing to do with ability. Just his opportunity.
 

Canadian Finn

Oskee Wee Wee
Feb 21, 2014
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none of us know what usage he will have.

we can all guess, but none of us know.

by the end of the upcoming season, I believe he will be utilized as a top 6 forward and a key PP and PK specialist.
 

TootooTrain

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Jun 12, 2010
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none of us know what usage he will have.

we can all guess, but none of us know.

by the end of the upcoming season, I believe he will be utilized as a top 6 forward and a key PP and PK specialist.

I don't etch things in stone either, I just make educated guesses.

I don't see him beating out Marleau/Hyman/Nylander/Marner for icetime. He'll play a decent amount of PK, a little bit of PP. Majority of his impact will come even strength. It will be on the 4th line atleast to start. It's because of those reasons why I stated being a 20/20 guy is his ceiling (for this UPCOMING season)
 

Stacker29

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Feb 17, 2015
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Kasperi Kapanen will score 5 short handed goals this year, he's going to be one of the biggest PK offensive threats of the year.

Take it to the bank ;-) lol
 
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LeafingTheWay

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May 31, 2014
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i completely agree.

i would say anything LESS than 20 goals will be a disappointment for me.

I have high expectations for him this year.

I agree with you, but if he doesn't I wouldn't consider it a disappointment (for myself). His on-ice sh% was super-unlucky and that was directly related to puck-luck & his linemates being Martin/Komarov/Moore/etc. He's such a good puck-carrier and has underrated offensive skill, but he's been called a 'likely bottom-6 PKer' because people jumped to conclusions based on the past season.

I think he gets 15 goals, 20 assists (35 points) IF he plays 4th line with Ennis & Lindholm/Jooris + PP minutes. I think he gets 20 goals, 25 assists (45 points) if he plays with Kadri.
 

Its not your fault

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Nov 24, 2016
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Of course there is risk, and I don’t think I’d do it. The only reason you could possibly get a puljujarvi pedigree player is because he has under performed so far.

I love Kapanen I don’t think I’d do the trade but it’s a thinker though isn’t it?
I dont see Edmonton doing it. This feels more like turning rocks over to see what kinda dirt has been sheltered from the Sun. Ha. The Sun...but yeah pretty sure this board voted. If MNM were all hits, Kappy could be a bust and we kinda figured we were due for one. I would say Different needs really determines what we buy, what defensemen could this guy fetch? Might be more productive conversation.
 

Sweet Leaf

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Jun 24, 2013
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If Kap scores 20 its only because we have injuries.

Otherwise, he will play on the 4th line and not get any PP time and that means no chance at 20.
 

weems

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Jul 3, 2008
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If Kap scores 20 its only because we have injuries.

Otherwise, he will play on the 4th line and not get any PP time and that means no chance at 20.

So I ask the question is this guy every going to be given a chance to be more for us?

He will almost never surpass Marner or Nylander on the RW depth chart and if our coach isnt willing to give him a look on the 3rd line over Brown then wheres the upside or oppurtunity?

Even if we looked at KK as a trade chip it would make alot more sense to give him a run with some quality linemates so he can put up some numbers and increase his overall value.

Just stapling him to the 4th line and not giving him a oppurtunity to be more seems silly especially considering his age and that he was indeed a former first round pick.

Seems like one of Brown or Kapanen is eventually going to be traded or somehow they move one over to LW but Kapanen definitely has the skillset to be much more than just a 4th line/PK guy.
 

Sweet Leaf

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Jun 24, 2013
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Yes he will have bigger opportunities as the roster evolves. Eventually he will play in our top 9 and on the PP.

Marleau will go. Brown, Hyman, AJ may price themselves out when their bridges expire. We may trade forward depth for defensive help at some point.

However, as the roster is presently constructed, Kap has no chance at 20 unless we run into injuries.

Kaps role over the next 1-2 years is to be great on the PK and be able to move up and down the lineup as injuries happen. He could also be traded.
 

unitedstars87

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Jun 2, 2006
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I think he might end up being more valuable than just goals and points. I think he will be a tone setter on this team with his speed on the pk and 5 v 5..can’t wait to see him in overtime if used.
 

TML1967

Registered User
Jul 20, 2010
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i completely agree.

i would say anything LESS than 20 goals will be a disappointment for me.

I have high expectations for him this year.

Both Johnsson and Kaps score 20+ goals imo.

How many 3rd liners scored 20 goals last year? ( Legit question)

I think they both have the skill ifnplayed properly to hit 20 goals this year
BUT
Matthews and Tavares lines in my mind will both get 18ish minutes a night, maybe more.
19+18+15+8 looks plausible for our 4 lines.
Kapannen needs to be playing 3W to have any chance, and that's not guaranteed with how much Babs like Brown.
Other place they could be racking up goals would be on the PP.
Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, Marleau, Kadri, Gardiner, Reilly. Who do they both replace?

Once again I think if (knock on wood) something happens to Marner or Nylander and Kap or AJ get top 6 minutes, I'd bet on either of them hitting 20.

But right now they aren't in a position IMO to hit those numbers.
 

leafsfuture

Registered User
Mar 30, 2008
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Kap could score 20 if he gets regular shifts.... but zero chance he’s getting 20 assists.

He currently has 2 career assists in over 70 regular season + playoff games lol
 

LeafingTheWay

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May 31, 2014
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Other place they could be racking up goals would be on the PP.
Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, Marleau, Kadri, Gardiner, Reilly. Who do they both replace?

You only listed 8 players for the PP. AJ and Kappy BOTH would be the 9th and 10th player on the powerplays, assuming Brown/Hyman/Ennis don't.
 

Boutette

Been there done that
Sep 28, 2017
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Kap could score 20 if he gets regular shifts.... but zero chance he’s getting 20 assists.

He currently has 2 career assists in over 70 regular season + playoff games lol

If he's on a line with Johnsson and Kadri, he'll get 20 assists. Johnsson can keep up with him, so instead of Kapanen on breakaways a zone ahead of his slowpoke linemates from last year, you'll get shitloads of odd man rushes and give-and-go 2 on 1s, and Johnsson can actually score, unlike Komarov. FYI, take a look at his AHL stats. He had a lot more assists than goals there? Why? He played with linemates who could keep up with him, not broken down geezers who couldn't. He doesn't have many NHL assists because he's been put with players with a combined 3% shooting percentage. Not even Marner would be getting many assists with the players Kapanen has been saddled with.
 

Man Bear Pig

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Aug 10, 2008
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Kap could score 20 if he gets regular shifts.... but zero chance he’s getting 20 assists.

He currently has 2 career assists in over 70 regular season + playoff games lol
There needs to be context here though. The kid has been stuck on the fourth line, barely getting any minutes and plenty of PK time. That's not a recipe to put up points. I'm a huge fan of Kapanen, I've been watching him since he was traded here and on the Marlies(in person). He oozes talent and it was almost unfair how much better he was than his peers in the AHL. So this really comes down to usage, if he's used on the fourth line in a PK role, no, he's not going to put up points. Even in a third line role his point totals are going to jump dramatically. He's pretty easily the top candidate IMO for a breakout season on this team. Johnsson as well but people are definitely higher on him than Kapanen.
 

lifelonghockeyfan

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Dec 18, 2015
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If the Leafs third and fourth lines just play an even plus/minus, the Leafs should be more than OK. Assuming the Leaf have superior first two lines over most teams and the PP and PK are better than most.
Leafs have been fortunate not having any injuries to their wingers in the past two seasons. Kapanen and other just might move up to more important roles if there are injuries.
 

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