After his season ended in the SHL playoffs, it was only a matter of time before Oliver Kapanen returned to North America. The only question was whether it would be in the NHL or AHL, and the answer we got Wednesday was: the NHL.
L'attaquant Oliver Kapanen rejoindra les Canadiens plus tard aujourd'hui.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 2, 2025
Forward Oliver Kapanen is scheduled to rejoin the Canadiens later today.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/BgDFIQmT9n
Kapanen will be a welcome boost to a Canadiens team that is still searching for the right fit in its forward group. The team has tried Owen Beck, Joshua Roy, and Michael Pezzetta since the injury to Kirby Dach, and it appears as though the Finnish forward will get a chance as well.
Since returning to Sweden, Kapanen had 35 points (15G-20A) in 36 games, and added two goals and an assist in six playoff games with Timrå. In the NHL this season, he had two assists in 12 games.
The Canadiens are in a very different place to where they were when Kapanen left. With the playoff push continuing, he could provide a boost not only because of his style of play but because he has literally just played playoff hockey.
No corresponding roster move is needed since the NHL has no roster limit after the trade deadline.
