Leafs’ Kapanen already tired of the Kessel trade questions
LONDON, ONT.— The Phil Kessel trade has managed to tie Kasperi Kapanen and Tyler Biggs at the hip.
For Biggs, the trade was good news, a chance at a fresh start. For Kapanen, there may be a downside. Kapanen is certainly happy to be part of an organization that is trying to build with youth and skill. But Kessel has historically cast a long shadow.
Tyler Seguin, now of the Dallas Stars, still answers questions about being one of the draft picks the Leafs gave up to get Kessel from Boston in 2009.
Now it may be Kapanen, as the most significant player the Maple Leafs got in return for goal-scoring star in the six-player trade, who may yet end up being compared to Kessel.
“I don’t know how many times I have to answer that question,” said Kapanen. “I’m me. I’m Kasperi Kapanen. I was in the trade. There were other people in the trade. I don’t think you need to compare us. If you want to, that’s fine.
“I’m here to be me and play my style of game.”
It’s probably a bit unfair, but Kapanen’s career, more than that of rookie defenceman Scott Harrington, veteran forward Nick Spaling or whatever first-round pick the Leafs get in 2016, could well determine whether the Leafs got good value from Pittsburgh for Kessel, Biggs and defenceman Tim Erixon.
Biggs, in London with Pittsburgh’s rookies, understands better than most what Kapanen may be exposed to. He says he went through the wringer in Toronto, all eyes on him.
“I can say that comfortably now, I think a lot of guys carry the weight of just playing in Toronto,” said Biggs.
Biggs and Kapanen were both 22nd picks overall, Biggs in 2011 when then-GM Brian Burke traded up to get him; Kapanen in 2014 by Pittsburgh. But the narrative of their young careers go in opposite directions.
Biggs was deemed in some corners to be a throw-in on the trade to balance out roster limits. He was called a first-round bust. “I wouldn’t say anybody gave up on me,” said Biggs. “There were unfortunate situations with the injury. But it was only my second-year pro. I’m only 22 years old. I had an opportunity.
“I have no hard feelings toward them. It’s a business. I’m excited to be getting started again.”
While Biggs has struggled through injuries and consistency, Kapanen almost made the NHL last year, one of the final cuts from Pittsburgh’s training camp.
“I didn’t blame myself,” said Kapanen. “I was 18 and trying to make a spot in the Pittsburgh lineup is not the easiest thing in the world.”
Neither Biggs nor Kapanen played Saturday, and both should be in action — against each other — on Sun- day night in the Toronto-Pittsburgh tournament finale.
Toronto is still looking for its first win here, dropping a 6-4 decision to Montreal on Saturday in front of about 8,000 at Budweiser Gardens. Defenceman Nikolas Brouillard of the Quebec Remparts, invited on a tryout, led the Leafs with two goals.
In Friday’s opener against Ottawa, Kapanen proved himself to be a dominant forward offensively but suspect defensively.
“I’ve got to get better in the defensive zone,” said Kapanen. “A couple of goals, they were my fault. I have to work on that.”
Those were what Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe — behind the bench here — called “coachable” moments.
Keefe will most likely be coaching Kapanen this season.