Kasperi Kapanen

February 2019 – Even after Nylander’s return, Kapanen has remained a fantasy darling, now up to 30 points in 50 games. Regular line-shuffling makes it unclear which centerman he will play with, but he is a bona fide top-six winger who can play anywhere in the lineup, and is even causing Leaf fans to to worry about his next contract – he will be getting a hefty raise this summer. Hayden Soboleski

October 2018 – The stars have aligned for Kapanen to start the 2018-19 season. With Nylander holding out for a contract, Kapanen is playing RW on the Matthews line and tearing it up with 8 points in 7 games. As promising as this is for his future upside as a top-six winger, that spot will eventually go back to Nylander upon return. His long-term value is sky-rocketing since he is now a proven top-six scorer, but in one-year leagues, be ready to cut bait if he drops back onto the 3rd line. Hayden Soboleski

March 2018 – Kapanen has established himself as a solid NHL player in the latter half of the 2017-18 campaign. It is unlikely he makes it back to the Marlies this year. Kapanen has seven goals and two assists in 25 NHL games with limited minutes. His speed and diligent checking has enhanced his value to the Leafs and many are looking forward to seeing how he stacks up during the playoff run and how he will factor in for the Leafs next season and beyond. Brian Harling

September 2017 – With training camp’s light dwindling, Kapanen is really getting a long look for a final forward spot on the NHL squad. He has shown flashes of a talent for play creation and awareness to find open lanes. He has a pair of points in his pair of pre-season games thus far, unfortunately I feel he is competing more against his contract than anyone else and for a role that he will not succeed in. He is destined to return to the NHL due to the fact there is no room for him in the Leafs top-9, but has a firm grasp on being the number one recall if a top-9 player cannot participate in a game. He remains the most attractive offensive prospect the organization owns and has the shortest window to arrive. He finished last AHL season with more points than games played, but needs to stay healthy for his forthcoming summoning to the NHL when needs arise. Worth trying to get for cheaper if a manager gets frustration when he is assigned to the AHL. Jason Banks

July 2017 – Ever since the calendar changed years, Kapanen showed the level of play everyone has expected from him. During a 19 game span, he posted 15 points and spent 9 uneventful games in the NHL, but the lack of goals (4) left room for concern. Outside of the stats, Kapanen showed positive signs of him being the type of player that brings his A-game when something is on the line. He was a game breaker in the WJC, seemed to come alive late in games when Marlies needed something extra, and was the best player in meaningful/deciding games against Bridgeport and Albany in the AHL playoffs. He still is expected to start 2016-17 in the AHL, but should again be recalled for trials. Maturity will come and talent will show through and he remains a strong notable prospect at this point. Jason Banks

January 2016 – Going into the Christmas break, Kapanen has started to turn around his game in the AHL after being rather invisible and a frequent scratch early on. He has a semi-successful World Junior showing compiling five points in seven games. More was expected from the pro as he rarely had a meaningful impact in games until the final, of course scoring the championship winning goal in overtime. His major problem is lack of consistent effort night in and night out, many nights just being a passenger. He has nights where he can dazzle, but many nights I find myself checking game sheets to see if he is in the lineup. The talent is there to be an impactful, offensive, winger but must mature into a full pro. Jason Banks

March 2015 – Perhaps inspired by the success of 18-year-old rookie hotshot David Pastrnak with the Boston Bruins, young Finn Kapanen is rumored to be a candidate for Pittsburgh’s postseason roster. Not exactly ripping up Finland’s best hockey league, the teenaged son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen is nonetheless improving on his numbers last season with KalPa. In 41 games on loan from the Penguins, Kapanen has 11 goals and 10 assists for seven more points than he had for the same squad last season in six more games. Mark Allan

January 2015 – After a miserable world junior tournament in which he had one goal and no assists in five games, and Finland failed to defend its championship, the skilled young winger is back with club team KalPa. In 24 games in the country’s top hockey league on loan from Pittsburgh, the son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen has nine goals, seven assists and a plus-1 rating. However, he’s pointless and minus-3 in his past five games, which is not the development the Penguins expect from their 2014 first-round draft pick. Mark Allan

 December 2014 – Finland is a long way from Pittsburgh, but you can bet the Penguins are following the progress of this potential star winger. A larger version of his father, former NHLer Sami Kapanen, the six-foot youngster had seven goals and as many assists in 14 games with KalPa in his country’s top hockey league, and was plus-six. Pittsburgh’s 2014 first-round draft pick also recorded two goals and two assists in four international games with Finland’s U-20 squad. Mark Allan

October 2014 – On loan to KalPa, the son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen had three goals and three assists in five games in Finland’s top hockey league (as of October 27^th). He added two goals and two assists in four international games with the country’s U20 club. Mark Allan

Oct. 12, 2014 – A longshot to make the Penguins this season – he very nearly did thanks to an impressive prospects camp and a promising main camp. The son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen is playing with Finland’s KalPa Kuopio squad. He’s not expected back in North America this season, but bears watching at Pittsburgh’s 2015 training camp. Mark Allan

July 2014 – Kapanen certainly impressed the Penguins brass during prospect camp and its scrimmages. He’s left such a good impression that there are rumors that he could make the opening day roster if he keeps up his effort in main camp and throughout preseason action. Obviously, expectations should be tampered since Kapanen is still only 17-years-old. He says that it is his goal to make the NHL roster but that he wouldn’t be opposed to spending another season in his native Finland playing against professional men. Though it is early, Kapanen has looked like an absolute steal thus far. Seth Brisendine

June 2014 – The Pittsburgh Penguins selected Kasper Kapanen 22^nd overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross

February 2014 – Playing alongside father and former NHLer Sami Kapanen in KalPa, Kasperi has overcome injury that kept him from competing for Finland at the 2014 World Junior Championship and remains high in the ranks simply because few possess his top-end puck handling ability. His game lacks physicality but his hockey sense, on-ice vision and playmaking skills are unparalleled and in a draft class with few game-breakers, Kapanen will be coveted. When attacking one-on-one, there are few players who are as dangerous as Kapanen. Brendan Ross