Has the Penguins’ Power Play Become the Embodiment of Kasperi Kapanen?
Following a promising first season with the Penguins in 2020-21, the sky appeared to be the limit for Kasperi Kapanen. Indeed, the native of Kuopio, Finland and son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen seemed poised to fulfill the promise that prompted former GM Jim Rutherford to select him 22nd overall in the 2014 Entry Draft.
Pens coach Mike Sullivan, for one, envisioned great things for the fleet winger.
“I’ve told him I think he has the potential to be an elite player in this league,” Sully said. “I really believe that.”
Indeed, the raw skills were there. The eye-popping speed, a rapier-like shot and decent enough puckhandling skills, wrapped in a solid 6’1” 194-pound frame.
However, following an okay start to the ’21-22 campaign that included a hat trick against the Wild, Kapanen’s productivity and effectiveness began to wane. He endured a month-long, 13-game pointless streak and finished the season with only two goals and eight points in his final 39 games, despite receiving a fair amount of ice time next to Evgeni Malkin.
Even worse, Kappy’s effort seemed to dry up as well.