Oliver Kapanen made his SHL debut in on the November 14 with more or less 30% of the SHL season done. Expectations were high. Jonathan Dahlén and Filip Hållander had been at it alone until then and getting their first-line centre back would make the line the best line in SHL. Those expectations were realized as Kapanen started with two assists in a 3-2 OT win. In the end the Montreal prospect finished the season with 35 points (15G, 20A) in 36 games, and the line was one of the top lines in league, if not the very best.
However, in the playoffs the line was neutralized by Frölunda’s shutdown trio. The good news was that Kapanen had three points: two goals (one empty-netter) and an assist. The series really turned during the third game as Timrå played some fantastic hockey but Frölunda’s goalie, Lars Johansson, put on his best Carey Price impression. With four minutes to go Timrå led 3-1, but Frölunda took the game to overtime, and after close to five periods Frölunda stood as winners. While Timrå took the fourth game, the team looked fatigued and Frölunda secured the next two games to clinch a semifinal spot, and opening the door for Kapanen to go back to North America.
He also go the chance to play in the Leijonat for one of the minor tournaments during the season, where he was used up and down the lineup.
Questions answered
Expectations on Kapanen from Montreal media and fans were high after a successful playoff run and World Championship last year. I was on the fence as Liiga isn’t what it used to be a few years ago as the gap to the National League (Switzerland) and SHL has widened by a big margin. Also, his points in the Worlds came against teams like Great Britain (3G), Norway (2G) and Austria (1G), all notable world-beaters in hockey of course. I wanted to see him perform at a higher level.
This is something that he achieved. He has produced at a high rate in one of the most defensive leagues in Europe. The SHL is known for being very structured and difficult to break down, even if he had a great supporting cast he proved that he can contribute in the big leagues.
I have always been a fan of Kapanen’s defensive game and that has only increased during the season. While I think he falls down toward the net in defensive-zone coverage, he keeps his head on a swivel and checks the opponents. He rarely, if ever, loses coverage through screens and pick plays by the opponent.
Added to this is his strength in the faceoff circle. Throughout the season I have been impressed with his defensive-zone abilities, but checking the numbers it is in the offensive zone where he has dominated at the dot with a 56% success rate, whereas in the defensive zone he was at 52%. During the post season the numbers were different, Kapanen finished at 50% overall, but a 64% success rate in the offensive zone versus 44.5% in the defensive zone, most likely due to line-matching in the most meaningful games.
One question to be answered
Is Kapanen a winger or a centre at NHL level? For me that question is still open and that is one question I would have liked to have answered by now. Defensively he fulfills every role of a centre: defensive coverage, physicality, and face-off strength (even if it wasn’t as good as expected in the playoffs).
It is the breakouts where he defaults to the boards to open up plays, and the fact that he defers and tries to be a net-front presence in the offensive zone keeps me wondering if he would be better used as a winger at the NHL level.
There are a few follow-up questions that linger in regards to this. Can he run a power play? Can he run an offensive-zone cycle? Is he creative enough? His speed, shot, and physicality makes him a good choice to turn into a winger with the added bonus that he could play centre under different circumstances.
Grade: A-
It might be harsh to grade the season an A- as Kapanen has had one of the best rookie seasons in SHL history. He has been nominated for the Fjällräven Young Player Award as one of the top five Junior players in Europe. His 0.97 points per game in SHL is an achievement in itself, no matter what linemates he had.
He is a complete player and he is ready for the next step. Ultimately that step could be Laval, but I wouldn’t be against, nor surprised, if he was kept up with the Canadiens at the start of the next season. I can’t really say that he needs time in the AHL; he has played in the NHL already and knows that he needed to work on some things during his SHL season. He is bigger, has better balance, and when it comes to rink size he has played on several different configurations in Finland, where one rink is even shorter (58m).
Kapanen is a good addition to the Canadiens system, even with all the young players coming through. I can’t see him being used as a trade chip just yet without the lineup solidified for the long-term. If he goes to Laval next season it will be due to the fact that he doesn’t need waivers, not that he needs adjustment or isn’t good enough to make the NHL team.
Click the play button below to listen to our full episode of Habsent Minded – grading Kapanen’s SHL season, with Jimmy Hamrin from Elite Prospects.
