Fleet Finn puts pep in Leafs
Kapanen mixes speed and moxie on fourth line
A speed gun measurement the Maple Leafs should start adopting is k.p.h. — Kapanens per hour. The fleet Finn Kasperi Kapanen is giving Toronto an element that few NHL fourth lines possess — zip, scoring touch and checking moxie, which other clubs would value for their top six forwards. In the current mix, having Kapanen on left wing with either Tomas Plekanec or Dominic Moore at centre and a banger in Matt Martin or a more finesse player on the starboard side, he’s proving effective.
Against Montreal in Saturday’s 4-0 romp, he needed barely a couple of steps to field a stretch pass from Travis Dermott and get loose from the defence pair of Karl Alzner and Noah Juulsen for a breakaway goal. On a team well equipped with wheels from William Nylander, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Patrick Marleau and Jake Gardiner, the 21-yearold Kapanen is the fastest of the bunch, according to Nazem Kadri. “Yeah, it’s kind of unbelievable how he kind of comes from a standstill to full speed within a few strides,” Kadri said. “He just has that gift to have that natural skating ability and knows how to use it. If you give him some space and don’t bump him, he’s going to be jumpin’ by you. In order for him to make an impact, he just has to keep skating.”
A previous generation will recall Kasperi’s father, Sami, was one of the quickest defencemen in the game and won the NHL’s fastest skater event at the all-star game twice in the early 2000s. But Kasperi, whose bid for his first two-point regular season Leaf game was cancelled by a goalie interference call on Plekanec, can beat you in many ways.
“It doesn’t matter what line I’m on, I’m always going to use my speed to create chances and make plays,” Kapanen said. “I’m just happy to be here. It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NHL. I watched my Dad play for a long time (11 seasons sandwiched around stints in the Finnish league) and me, finally getting on the roster here, is a good feeling.” With modesty, he agrees he’s still something of a secret weapon for Toronto, even though many around the league became aware with his playoff debut last spring against the Washington Capitals on a line with Brian Boyle.
“I don’t think teams know what I’m really capable of and that’s why I try and use that speed to surprise them and make those plays.”
After spending time with the Toronto Marlies for the better part of three seasons in the AHL, Tuesday’s game in Tampa will mark Kapanen’s 30th NHL start this season.
“The guys took me in really well and it’s been a whole lot of fun,” Kapanen said.