Oilers Forward In His Last NHL Chance Becoming Early Fan Favourite

The Oilers claimed Kasperi Kapanen on waivers from the St. Louis Blues earlier this season, and he was clearly on the last legs of his NHL career.

Now, Kasperi Kapanen is impressing Oilers fans with his speed as advertised, but he's also giving the effort to earn himself some real fans in Edmonton.

Kapanen is impressing on the second line with his speed, scoring a few goals, blocking a few shots, and giving the effort that will make an impact in the NHL.

Kapanen only has 2 goals and 3 points with the Oilers so far this season, but the skills he's bringing so far this year are needed in the bottom six at least. The Oilers are an older and slower team, so Kapanen makes a real difference.

Not only that, he's really showing out in his potential last chance in the NHL. A Finnish source earlier this year provided the perfect explanation that Kapanen has lost his spark in the NHL.

Motivated by perhaps losing his professional hockey job, he's actually laying out for the Oilers with his best hockey in some time.

In the Oilers last game against the Lightning, he literally laid out his body on the line for a shot block. Tonight against the NHL's top team in Minnesota, he bagged a goal.

Kapanen may not reach his 20 goal high with Toronto again in his career, but his speed and forechecking can be a real asset for the Edmonton Oilers.

It's looking like a good decision to claim him on waivers, and he could have a role on this team heading into the playoffs.