September 2024 – Oliver Kapanen had a great season in LIIGA in 2023-24, and is now on loan to Timra of the SHL for 2024-25. He will be coming to Canadiens training camp, and has an outside chance at claiming an NHL roster spot. Kapanen is a strong 200-foot player and projects as an intelligent and effective bottom-six centre. Aaron Itovitch
May 2022 – Among the centermen the Canadiens drafted in 2021, Joshua Roy and Riley Kidney have gotten all the media and fan attention over the course of this season, as they put up big numbers playing close to home in the QMJHL, but Oliver Kapanen has flown under the radar as a potential bottom-6 center of the future for the Tricolore. His biggest weapon is his shot, which he gets off very quickly in tight spaces; this allows him to excel in a bumper role on the powerplay. While his defensive ability helps project him to a bottom of the lineup NHL role and plays a part in his relatively high floor, his average speed and slightly clunky skating mechanics will need to be further addressed to help smooth the transition to the professional North American game. Kapanen also lacks the dynamism required to make me hopeful of a top-6 ceiling, but he was one of the younger players in his draft class, as a late-July birthday, giving him more time to develop and grow. Fantasy managers could be interested in adding him if they seek a natural center with a lethal release, good defensive awareness, a high floor, and the ability to stitch plays together between his wingers. Sebastian High
December 2021 – Kapanen started the season for Kalpa’s U20 team in Finland where he had seven points in six games and earned a call up to the Liiga. He only has two points in 11 games in the Finnish top flight but has played a steady defensive game. Kapanen will play an important top-6 role for Finland at the U20 World Juniors. Pablo Ruiz
July 2021 – Kapanen was the top line center for KalPa’s U20 team and played in all situations while adding 41 points in 37 games. He also put up five points in a short five game stint in the Mestis league, which is the Finnish men’s league below the Liiga. He is expected to spend next season in the Liiga. Kapanen was drafted in the second round at 64 overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Pablo Ruiz
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