Kasperi Kapanen: Maple Leafs Prospect Report

Every week throughout the NHL season and off-season we will be updating you on the development, potential and realistic expectations for key Toronto Maple Leafs prospects with up-to-date stats, analysis and scouting reports

Getting To Know: Kasperi Kapanen

Age: 18 Years Old

Position: LW/RW

Shoots: Right Handed

Jersey Number: 24 / 42

Height / Weight: 6ft / 181Lbs

Drafted / Acquired: 2014 NHL Entry Draft, 1st Round, 22nd OA / Trade with Pittsburgh July 1st 2015

Contract Info: $894,166K AAV 3-Year ELC*

*as per GeneralFanager.com

The main asset acquired in the Phil Kessel trade, Kasperi Kapanen is the son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen who is most famous for being on the receiving end of this hit. His son has already had to answer what he thinks of that hit on his father by former Leaf Darcy Tucker, and will most likely be haunted by that question for much of his time as a Leaf. The thing Kasperi Kapanen is going to have the most annoyance with as a Leaf will be the never-ending questions about Phil Kessel, and how he is different from “the Thrill”.

"“Phil Kessel is Phil Kessel and Kasperi Kapanen is Kasperi Kapanen,” he said. “I’ll be as great as I can be and we’ll see what happens. But it’s two different players. You can’t compare us.”"

Kapanen is absolutely right when he says he is a different player than Phil Kessel, but not as different as some would have you beleive. Kessel’s trade mark move was carrying the puck down the right-wing, taking a few steps over the blue line and rifling a quick and unpredictable wrist shot high at the goalie.

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Kasperi Kapanen, although also a puck carrier by nature, relies more on his agility and insane puck handling ability to dip-and-weave through the middle of the ice. When he was drafted he was listed as 5’9 and maybe a 160Lbs, at the Leafs Prospect Camp this past weekend in Collingwood he was measured in at 6ft and 181Lbs, coupled with his pension for physical play and it bodes well for his transition to the North American Pro game.

Kapanen will never be confused with Milan Lucic or Leo Komarov, but he does like to get a shot in here and there which adds another layer to the feistiness he brings to the ice. Following the pattern of other Hunter + Dubas favoured prospects and players, Kasperi Kapanen can flat-out fly down the ice.

Here is what some top prospect evaluators had to say:

HockeysFuture.com

"Kasperi Kapanen plays a cerebral game with the skills and speed to allow him to make the proper plays in all situations and make the players around him better. While not overwhelming from a physical standpoint and with room to continue growing, his hockey sense is on par with the other top players in his age group and he maximizes his talents to get the best out of his game."

EliteProspects.com

"Kapanen is a small and slippery with very creative hands and impressive 1-on-1 arsenal. He has a decent shot with good release but needs added velocity. He has quick feet and impressive lateral agility and is a dangerous goal scorer who can make skilled passes and offensive zone reads."

TheHockeyNews

"Owns a very good sniper’s release, so goal-scoring is his strong suit. Skates very well and knows how to free himself from coverage to get open. Has good hockey sense."

NHL Upside: Kasperi Kapanen

Upside: 20+ Goal 50+ Point 1st Line Shifty Scoring Winger

Realistic Projection: 15+ Goal 40+ Point Top 6 Scoring Winger

NHL Ready: 2016-2017

NHL Player Comparable: Kyle Okposo/Justin Williams type scoring winger with a little bit of grit

Kasperi Kapanen is a dynamic talent that very much has boom or bust written all over him. The reason I say that is besides his game breaking speed, agility, puck handling and NHL calibre shot, he tends to be a bit of a puck hog and is often guilty of trying to do far too much and killing the play.