Toronto Maple Leafs: Kapanen, Please
The Toronto Maple Leafs have this one guy…….
His name is Kasperi Kapanen. I have written 395 columns about him and why he should play. The Toronto Maple Leafs still don’t play him. It’s like they don’t care what I have to say – which is crazy.
Kasperi Kapanen is the Leafs top prospect.
He’s likely the fastest player in their organization.
Most teams would say “hey, you know what? We traded Phil Kessel for this guy, maybe we should give him a shot, since, you know, Phil Kessel is one of the best players in the NHL and in our franchise’s history, so, If we don’t ever even try to use the guy we got for him, we look like clowns.”
I mean, I guess I can’t directly quote exactly what another team would say, but I can paraphrase what they might say if they had been the ones to have and have traded Phil Kessel.
Besides that, Kapanen has been good when he’s played. Sure, he’s only got three goals and no assists in 23 career games, but most of that is on the fourth line. He did score twice in one memorable playoff game last year, against the Capitals, and has at least been helpful whenever called upon, posting a 51.25% possession rating.
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It’s a small sample, but what we’ve seen has been excellent – defensive awareness, scoring ability, and blinding speed. What’s not to like?
Seriously, Mike Babcock, what is not to like?
Realistically…
The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t currently have room for Kasperi Kapanen. He is, like Connor Brown, too good for a fourth line role. And with Connor Brown entrenched on the fourth line, there is no where for Brown to play. Ideally, the Leafs would move Bozak and convert Nylander to centre, thereby creating a wing spot. Unfortunately for Kapanen, that spot probably goes to Brown, meaning it likely won’t be until next year when Komarov and JVR are gone that Kapanen has a regular spot in the top nine.
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— Ari Shapiro (@ari_shapiro) January 15, 2018
That might not be fair – his AHL play and 23 NHL games all but demand that he play in the NHL immediately, but it is a testament to the Leafs depth that they have a player like Kapanen in the AHL. No other competitive team in the NHL has a player like Kapanen waiting in the wings who could step in and play today. Eventually the Leafs will convert some of their depth at forward to depth at other positions. Then Kapanen will get his turn.
Next: Four Positive Take-Aways, So Far
But realistically looking at sports is kind of dumb, in my opinion. Realistically, I should care about more important things. But I don’t. So give me Kapanen.
I’m bored.