The Edmonton Oilers are facing an important decision regarding winger Kasperi Kapanen as the off-season approaches. The soon-to-be thirty-year-old has been a puzzle throughout his NHL career, known for his impressive skill set but inconsistent performance.
Selected in the first round, 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2014 NHL Draft, Kapanen has played for four teams: Toronto, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and now Edmonton. His best season came early with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018-19, when he scored 20 goals and 44 points. Since then, his production has declined, hitting a low point when he was placed on waivers by St. Louis in 2024-25.
Kapanen possesses a rare combination of tools: excellent skating, soft hands, a dangerous shot, and a willingness to play physically. These attributes make him capable of contributing in various roles, including the second power-play unit and penalty kill. However, his inability to deliver consistently has been a major drawback.
In his last three seasons, Kapanen has failed to reach double digits in goals. The St. Louis Blues, who desperately needed his contributions, ran out of patience. The Oilers, seeing potential, took a chance on him.
In Edmonton, Kapanen has shown flashes of his skill, particularly in the playoffs, where he scored a crucial series-clinching goal last spring. In the 2024 season, he recorded 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 57 games. The following season, he improved slightly to 8 goals and 9 assists for 17 points, but injuries limited him to 41 games.
Kapanen has played some of his best hockey alongside Leon Draisaitl, who seems to appreciate his style. Playing well with a superstar like Draisaitl is not insignificant. However, with the Oilers focused on maximizing their championship window with Connor McDavid, every cap dollar counts.
Kapanen is coming off a one-year, $1.3 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent. To make meaningful roster changes, general manager Stan Bowman needs to manage the salary cap carefully. The Oilers cannot afford to overpay for a player with consistency and injury concerns.
While Kapanen’s skill set is tempting, the question marks surrounding his reliability and durability suggest caution. The best course of action for Edmonton is to hold on to him, but only at a reasonable price. A short-term, low-cost deal could be a sensible gamble, allowing the Oilers to retain his potential without compromising their financial flexibility.
This article is not AI generated.
