Edmonton Oilers continue to load up on ex Toronto Maple Leafs

In an all too familiar move, the Edmonton Oilers have added yet another former Toronto Maple Leafs into their fold when they claimed Kasperi Kapanen off of waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday afternoon.

The now 28-year old developed through the Toronto Maple Leafs organization when he was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins as the main piece in the Phil Kessel trade in the summer of 2015. He was targeted by the organization a year after being selected 14 picks behind close William Nylander when the team went into full tank mode for Auston Matthews.

The speedy winger would develop through the Marlies playing parts of three seasons as a constant call-up to the Maple Leafs.

He had a knack for scoring big goals as his first career tally came in the playoff clinching game in 2015-16 when he scored with just over five minutes remaining with his team down a goal, which would eventually lead to another current Edmonton Oiler Connor Brown scoring the winning goal.

Edmonton Oilers continue to load up on ex Toronto Maple Leafs

During their first round playoff matchup, Kapanen had arguably the best game of any player in the series when in Game 2 he would score a pair of goals, which included the eventual game winner with just over eight minutes to play in the third period to even up the series and steal home ice from the Washington Capitals.

In his first full season with the Toronto Maple Leafs he would score 20-goals and collect 44-points which earned him a three-year deal at $3.2 million a season. Unfortunately, he was unable to replicate that output and with a flat cap he was traded back to the Penguins before year two of the contract.

Since rejoining Pittsburgh, he was placed on waivers in 2023 and claimed by the St. Louis Blues where he had moderate success, however, after scoring just one goal in the first ten games of this season he was again placed on waivers this past week where the struggling Edmonton Oilers claimed him.

Kapanen joins former Marlies and Maple Leaf teammates Connor Brown, Zach Hyman and Travis Dermott on the Oilers. Edmonton also has former Maple Leafs goalie Calvin Pickard backing up Stuart Skinner.

If Oilers fans are wondering what they are getting in the second generation NHLer, Kapanen had a boat load of speed, can be an effective penalty killer, however, can falter when trying to over handle the puck. He should be a stronger version of Connor Brown.