Finnish Source Explains What Went Wrong With Oilers Waiver Claim Kasperi Kapanen

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Liam McCormick
November 20, 2024 (1:49 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers picked up Kasperi Kapanen on waivers yesterday, and a Finnish source perfectly explained why the forward has found himself on waivers twice in one year.

Picking up Kapanen for no cost should excite fans as a speedy former first round pick, but a Finnish hockey source that's closely watched Kapanen believes that the spark that made him an NHL level player is gone.

»A flash here, another here, but it has been pointless to look for passion, self-confidence, joy in the game or the right kind of despair from the execution or body language.»
- Tommi Seppala

When Kapanen broke into the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he looked like a much different player than he did this year with the St. Louis Blues.

In Toronto, Kapanen used his speed to play an aggressive game on the forecheck. At his best, he was throwing hits and causing chaos that made scoring chances.

Kapanen's career best year came in 2018-19, when he scored 20 goals playing on Toronto's second and third lines. Since then, he's never scored more than 13 goals.

With Pittsburgh and St. Louis, Kapanen got away from his aggressive play-style that made his speed an asset, and instead became a player without an identity or role.

In his 10 games with the Blues this year, Kapanen has only one point, and a brutal rating of a -6 in minimal ice time.

Seppala believes that of Kapanen's play doesn't improve during this stint in Edmonton, he will be waived again and perhaps not return to the NHL.

»No external factors matter much right now. The only thing that matters is how Kapanen reacts to his - probably last - new opportunity.»
- Tommi Seppala

Perhaps to give him a jolt of new life in Edmonton, the Oilers could give Kapanen a chance in the top six - especially while missing Zach Hyman and Victor Arvidsson to injuries.

The Blues only gave Kapanen 10 games this season before they decided to move on from him. We'll see how long he has with the Oilers to make a positive impression, or he could be at the end of his NHL career.