The Toronto Maple Leafs are close to extending Kasperi Kapanen.
Amidst all the violence today in the world of hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs have supposedly extended Kasperi Kapanen. Inking Kapanen to a new contract would make sure the Toronto Maple Leafs keep one their most valuable assets.
Reportedly, the deal will be a bridge deal of 3 years with an AVV between $3,2 – 3,4 million. For the skills Kapanen brings to the ice, it’s an absolute bargain. For a potential top-line forward who can strengthen both special teams, that’s an absolute steal of a contract.
While this deal in the making might seem as just paperwork crossing the desk for Dubas this summer, especially compared to trading Marleau and extending Mitch Marner, this deal is in fact much more.
This deal ensures the Toronto Maple Leafs have their top six complete for the upcoming season, assuming, of course, Mitch Marner stays in Toronto.
Kasperi Kapanen
Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014, Kapanen has taken Toronto by storm, literally. It’s hard to think of Kapanen out of the current Toronto Maple Leafs lineup. With his speed, he provides the Toronto Maple Leafs multiple options to use his skills.
His speed makes him one of, if not the, best PK killers on the roster. If rightfully used with Mitch Marner on the PK, he could easily become the most lethal player on the PK in the entire league.
Despite only registering 61 minutes and 54 seconds on the power play last season, he needs to be used on the power play, down at the right side of the blue line, he would be a great asset. With Marleau shipped out, chances loom.
Completing The Toronto Maple Leafs Top Six
With Patrick Marleau traded, it’s likely that Kapanen will play on the wing of Auston Matthews coming season. The question that remains is which side that will be. Babcock could and should opt for putting Nylander on their line, likely sliding Kapanen to his off wing on the left.
Reuniting the old line-mates of the Toronto Marlies would make sense. Despite only playing a mere 45 minutes and 22 seconds together, they made each other better during those minutes, as they did on the Marlies.
Perhaps more important, Auston Matthews line was better with Kapanen than without. Without Kapanen, Matthews posted numbers like 48.23% SF and 42.55% GF against 51.58% SF and 54.05% GF. Per Naturalstattrick
Should he be signed just under $3,5 million per year, Kapanen is arguably the player most worth his money among the Toronto Maple Leafs top six forwards.