The Penguins have signed forward Kasperi Kapanen to a new two-year deal for $6.4 million. The average annual value, $3.2 million, is same he earned on his most recent contract.
Frankly, in the wake of the greatest vanishing act since Houdini, I think it’s a bit of a gamble. Following a solid first season with the Pens in which he tallied a highly respectable 11 goals and 30 points in 40 games (an impressive 60-point pace over a full slate) Kappy literally fell off a cliff in 2021-22. Early season struggles morphed into total offensive stagnation and regression in the second half to the tune of a paltry two goals and six assists over his final 39 regular-season games. And that with repeated opportunities skating next to Evgeni Malkin on the second line. Indeed, the snake-bitten winger was granted more reprieves than a prisoner on death row.
Even worse, the flying Finn’s effort dried up as well. There were plenty of games when I had to do a double-take to make sure he was in the lineup. He was that invisible on the ice. A virtual empty sweater.
In some ways he reminded me of one-time Pirates phenom Gregory Polanco. The tools were there. You kept waiting for him to break out. But aside from a mild upswing down the homestretch in the playoffs, he never did.
Kappy openly admitted he’d lost his confidence. From a personal standpoint, I know only too well how a loss of mojo can affect your performance. Years ago, I was mired in a slump of epic proportions…in slo-pitch softball. (Yes, slo-pitch softball.) I overthought everything. After a while, even the simplest elements of my swing became mechanical and robotic. Nothing came easily and naturally.
Maybe I’m projecting. But I think No. 42 went through a similar nightmare last season.
That said, I would’ve been sorely tempted to move on from Kapanen. However, I fully understand why Ron Hextall and Co. didn’t. The team has a considerable investment in him (in a way two first-round picks). The talent is there, along with world-class speed (rarely seen last season), size and a sizzling shot. When he’s on, Kapanen does everything with a breathtaking crispness and surety, along with a touch of elan.
In a word, he’s fun to watch.
Let’s just hope he’s ‘on’ a whole lot more this season.
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I really have liked what Ron has done with our Penguins...
Signing some undrafted players.
I liked the Jeff Carter deal.
Even though I don't care for Leturnover Letang, I can respect Letang being able to retire a Penguin, he and Geno deserve it.
I do like the Owen Pickering, pick. I think he will turn out to be a top 4 d.
But resgning Kappy for 2 yrs at 6 4 million... way too much . I don't like it.
I get why though.... Penguins have used 2 ,1st round picks on him.
I hope I am wrong but I think he has hit the ceiling on his development. The way he plays shows it.. confidence or not, some shifts no effort. He has shown how fast he is, Kappy also can fire that puck.
I hope he can turn it around and fix what was broken because that gives us 2 really good scoring lines.
Don't worry Rick... I sometimes go through slumps and confidence issues in my mix slo-pitch league too!!!! lol.
I'm with ya, Pens4ever. Agree that Hextall's done a really good job through very difficult circumstances. But based on last season I, too, think $3.2 million for Kapanen is an overpay.
It's not that the ability isn't there. But what really concerns me is the way he just disappeared for extended stretches. What's to say he won't do that again? Given how competitive the league and our division are, you simply can't have an empty uniform out there. Certainly not one pulling down $3.2 mil. And that's what Kappy was far too often last season.
One thing I'd like to see...maybe using him on the PK. He killed penalties a lot in Toronto and scored five shorties. It might be a way to get him into open ice where he can use his speed...and perhaps regain some confidence.
Thanks for commiserating about my slo-pitch softball woes. It was downright embarrassing ... :( Needless to say, my "athletic" career came to a rather inglorious end a short time later...lol.
Rick
Hey all,
Nino Niederreiter signed a two-year deal with Nashville with an AAV of $4 million. He's a big boy (6'2" 215), plays a power game and is a six-time 20-goal scorer.
In that light, signing Kapanen at $3.2 million doesn't look so hot ... :(
Rick
Fully agree Rick.
In my opinion we should have left him in Toronto. He has never panned out the way I thought he would have. Plus his days in Toronto he was surrounded by some really great players which made him look better than I believe he is.
He is not a 3 million dollar man in my books.
JIM
Excellent point, my friend.
When Kapanen scored 20 goals for the Leafs in 2018-19 he saw plenty of top-six duty. According to Natural Stat Trick, his most frequent linemates were Auston Matthews and a still productive Patrick Marleau. The following season when he dropped to 13 goals? Jason Spezza, Alexander Kerfoot and Pierre Engvall.
Now that Kapanen's signed, it'll be up to Mike Sullivan and the coaching staff to figure out how best to utilize him. Despite his talent, I don't know if Kappy thinks the game especially well and he seems to get lost in a cycling game...the Pens' preferred style.
A number of folks have suggested we use him as a penalty killer and I tend to agree. He killed penalties in Toronto and was pretty good at it, scoring five shorties. Give him a chance to get into open ice and utilize his speed and shot one-on-one against goalies.
Rick