The Finnish striker has found a new home in Edmonton.
Kasperi Kapanen has filled his window in Edmonton. PDO
– This is the best team I’ve ever been in, Kasperi Kapanen quoth For Sportsnet.
The Finn has now played 19 matches in Edmonton with 4+2=6. He has averaged 12 minutes 30 seconds of ice time per game.
No big shots, but clearly a step forward for St. Louis, where he scored only one goal in ten games. Then the man was thrown on the transfer list. He will have the same fate in 2023 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sportsnet asked Kapase if he took a deep look at himself in the mirror after the man had been shown the door to the NHL club for the second time for a short time.
– Of course, the man answered.
The reason for the “fires” is very clear: Kapanen, who also got busted for drunk driving, has not been close to his top level in recent years. He also admits that.
– I still know that I am a good hockey player.
That’s what he’s trying to prove now in Edmonton.
Hard statistics
Kapanen has been able to celebrate victories in Edmonton. PDO
Edmonton picked up Kapanen in November from the St. Louis, because the team suffered from injuries and needed more legs on the offensive end.
The Finn has even been able to play Connor McDavid’s and Leon Draisaitl in the leading top chains, which has not been a surprise To Zach Hyman.
– He is really, really fast and very skilled. He moves well, has a good shot and can both finish and pass, Hyman describes.
Hyman already knows Kapanen from his days in Toronto, when the young Finn broke into the NHL.
The Canadian’s praise could only be taken as a compliment by a North American, but advanced statistics support the glowing. Kapanen has already scored five goals this season as well, even though the expected goal has only come from 2.9 shots in front.
It could be chalked up to good luck if Kapanen hadn’t scored more goals than expected throughout his career. Now it’s probably just a clearly better-than-average kudis.
According to NHL statistics, Kapase has one of the hardest shots in the series. In addition, he is one of the fastest skaters in the league.
However, the problem with the speedster is that he doesn’t get to good spots very often. Therefore, in an optimal situation, Kapanen’s place in the top team is in the lower chains.
– I feel that I can be put anywhere. I can be in bottom chains or top chains. Whatever the team needs, Kapanen sees.
Radical change
Last season, Edmonton advanced to the Stanley Cup finals, where they only lost in the seventh game to Florida.
This season, only the championship is good for Oil, so there is no room for free riders. Kapanen has filled his box so far, even though the power statistic shows -6.
However, Kapanen has been a clearly positive player in the five-on-five game in terms of expected goals (54.00%) and the ratio of dangerous goal posts (55.41%).
Difference between St. Louis is a radical, because Kapanen’s goal waiting statistics (45.61%) and dangerous goal positions statistics (42.86%) were clearly in the negative.
– I am happy that I can be here in a good team that has a chance to win. There is no point in looking back and blaming anyone. I mostly blame myself, but I don’t think it was just me, says Kapanen about the past.
Advanced stats: Natural Stat Trick, MoneyPuck
The defenders are often in a hurry when Kapanen gets his legs moving. PDO