Michael Kapla

June 2019 – Kapla did not get a qualifying offer from the Wild which means he becomes an unrestricted free agent.  Jokke Nevalainen

January 2019 – Kapla was traded from New Jersey to Minnesota for former first-round draft pick Ryan Murphy. Kapla reported to the Iowa Wild of the AHL while Murphy reported to the Binghamton Devils. Chris Wassel

July 2017 – Kapla skated in five late-campaign New Jersey contests after finishing his U Mass-Lowell career. He averaged 17:26 minutes per game with more than two-thirds of his starts in the offensive zone, and saw a few minutes on the power play. With their defense in tough shape, the Devils will look to the former River Hawks captain and skilled NCAA blue line playmaker to contend for a job in the fall. While he may make a play for a bottom-pairing, the AHL seems more likely at this point. Kevin Wickersham

March 2017 – Seeking immediate reinforcement and a brief look at a potential future leader on their blue line, New Jersey signed University of Massachusetts-Lowell captain Michael Kapla to a two-year, entry-level contract. Kapla will report immediately to the NHL club to remain through the end of the campaign, using up one year of his deal and rendering him a restricted free agent after 2017-18.

A durable two-way player for his three prior years with the River Hawks, Kapla’s offensive production grew as a senior as he totaled 30 points (including a team-high 27 assists among defensemen) in 41 games. He never missed a collegiate game, playing 161 in all. Somewhat small by NHL standards but his puck skills, instincts for the game and defensive positioning look league-ready. While he shoots from the left, he is comfortable playing on the right as well. Widely praised for his character by college coaches and Devils’ brass alike, he will audition during these last few games hoping to prove he can bring the stability, poise, confidence and winning attitude he showed at UMass-Lowell to the pro ranks.