Oliver Kapanen, 22, played 18 games in the NHL last season, where he recorded a total of two assists.

The majority of the season was spent in Sweden with Timrå. This season, Kapanen has made his breakthrough in the NHL, with 8+6 points in 26 games.

Head coach Martin St. Louis has noticed Kapanen’s good performances with the Montreal Canadiens.

– It’s an ideal situation for a coach when you have a player who is almost ready, St. Louis praised on NHL’s website.

– He doesn’t play like a rookie; he shows maturity. He has a strong toolbox and a clear desire to do things right, St. Louis continued.

The head coach praised the chemistry of Kapanen’s line. The Finn has played with Ivan Demidov, and in recent games, Alexandre Texier has also joined them.

– Kapanen understands the offensive game and recognizes the importance of defensive play. Demidov’s offensive skills are known, but he has shown he can also defend well.

St. Louis promised more playing time if the performances continue to be good. Kapanen has a good chance to showcase more of his skills when the Toronto Maple Leafs face off next night.

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