You might well be right but obviously I'm still pulling for the kid. I just like him, thats all.
Oh, dont get me wrong, I'm a big fan of Kap. Loved when we got him and still think he can be a top 6 winger. It's just that he never really evolved his game here. He may end up being one of those who figures it out when hes 30-31 years old.
Besides, what would it have to do with the Leafs if he went on to scare 50 goals? He didn't do it here. I hope he does well there.
That’s true. People also need to stop helping Sakic. Guy turned Duchesne and Barrie into a half a roster.
I like Hallander a lot. I liked him in his draft year. I think his game is mature and that he’ll be a very good 2-way forward. I think Kapanen is overrated. That is all.
There is a bit of insecurity in your post if you think my reply of reminding a poster a deal is not a win until you see the results on the ice. This should be obvious by now since a player traded last year is excelling for another team in the playoffs right now when it was also 1st thought one team was a winner of a trade before even seeing how the players performed on the ice. The one thing I do know about Kapanen is the Pens traded for probably the 2nd grittiest fwd on the Leafs who if given a chance with Crosby or Malkin should have his best year yet. If anything, I don't think enough is being made of this. For a team with little grit, they became even softer, so it is not a win IMO.
Rutherford mentioned he liked Kapanen also for the way he played. The speed is obvious, and he's always had a good shot. But it is also the gritty factor. Other than Hyman, Kapanen was the Leafs 2nd most gritty fwd. Sid likes players to go get him the puck, Sid is a good communicator with his teammates, and no one works harder to set an example. I am sure he will tell Kapanen All he has to do is get him the puck and get in position to get the puck back and shoot. That's really simplifying it, but that's what will be most effective playing with him, sort of like Kunitz did. Also people saying the Leafs won't miss Kapanen are probably not considering Dubas has almost completely obliterated the team's grit since he took over. This was not as one sided a trade as some think it is. We saw this in the playoffs this year, Kadri, Komarov, Martin, even Brown in Ottawa this year in the regular season succeed. All players with grit, now Kapanen if he has a career year is a player that can succeed also with Pittsburg who play a style he should fit in well with.
Good thing he didn't take after his dad. Kasperi is 6'1 200, or just a tad under 200 lbs. His dad was 5'8. 170. But one thing he did take from his dad was he is feisty. He will fit in well with the Pens Identity. Funny also is I remember his fight against the Pens McCann last year. So Rutherford is perhaps a little more sharper than people are giving him credit for. If Kapanen can score 25, be the defensive conscience on a line with either Malkin or Sid. Bring the intangibles of grit and fight to the Pens, I am wondering why this is such a big win for the Leafs since this is exactly the type of player they need? This almost reminds me of the Kadri trade last year.
I tell you one thing, one team won't like playing Kapanen next year. They are busy right now in the playoffs. But I can say for a fact, it would bug me. Pens got better.
Based on the reports it sounds like Pittsburgh was the only team who was willing to trade a 1st round pick since Dubas asked that from all the GM's he was dealing with. Considering all the Dubas bashing he got for trading away the 13th overall pick because he had to get rid of Patrick Marleau's horrible contract, he deserves credit for getting the 15th overall pick in the same draft. Plus this trade helps with the Leafs salary cap.
I think it was the pick plus prospect. Anyway, the trade was done a few days ago. Why would Leaf fans worry about what Kapp does or doesn't do anymore than Pitt worries about who the draft pick will be or how well the prospect develops. It is irrelevant.
