Oliver Kapanen shines in the NHL - got a big boost from the SHL: "That's probably the difference"

Montreal Canadiens’ Oliver Kapanen is one of the Finnish bright spots in the NHL’s early season.

The 22-year-old Finnish center has tallied 14 points (9+5) in 29 games and is currently second in the rookie goal scoring race. Kapanen, who tried his wings in the NHL for 18 games last season, was sent to Sweden and the SHL for the remainder of the season, where the young player scored an impressive 15+20=35 in 36 regular-season games for Timrå.

A year in Sweden was beneficial for his development and was the right decision according to Kapanen.

– My overall game has definitely progressed. Sweden has a very demanding league; you had to take care of all the other aspects very well before you could get to scoring opportunities. That has transferred here as well. We try to take care of everything else well first. That’s probably the difference I’ve been able to bring here, Kapanen said during a press conference organized for Finnish media on Wednesday.

Kapanen represented three different teams last season, as in addition to the Canadiens and Timrå, he also accumulated playing time in the AHL playoffs with Laval Rocket in the spring. Additionally, the player from Kuopio also played for the Lions throughout the season. The long and demanding season provided a lot of important lessons for this season.

– You got to see a lot and play a lot. The season was long; I left for Sweden at the end of July, and the AHL playoffs probably ended in early June. It taught a lot, saw different cultures, and was able to adapt very well. It made this season much easier, Kapanen recalls last season.

The significance of longtime Canadiens captain Saku Koivu among fans is still great. Kapanen has experienced this as a Finn.

– Yes, it shows. There are many pictures and plaques of Saku on the walls here. You can feel how big of a player and captain he was here. Especially if you go somewhere and say you are from Finland, they ask if I know Saku and how he is doing.

Kapanen is considered one of the dark horses for the Lions’ tough Olympic team. Based on his current performances, the young Finn has every chance to secure a spot on Finland’s fourth line in the Milano-Cortina games.