Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen owned up to the reasoning behind his benching on Saturday night when he met with the media this morning. Kapanen had been a healthy scratch, but head coach Sheldon Keefe declined to provide any details as to why in his post-game media availability. It turns out that Kapanen had specifically asked for the opportunity to speak about the issue. Kapanen told a number of reporters, including Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, that he had overslept on Friday and was late to a team meeting and practice. This was not the first incidence of this, as Kapanen had previously had problems being punctual in the AHL, also under Keefe. He stressed this morning that these were honest mistakes and he does not want his coaches and teammates to think that he does not care about being the best player that he can be. It seems that Kapanen and Keefe are ready to move past this but these locker room issues won’t help to quell the trade rumors surrounding the young winger.
- In an entertaining article that was mostly educated guesses, Pierre LeBrun did manage to drop a few rumor nuggets in his recent trade deadline piece for The Athletic. One such report was that the Carolina Hurricanes – known to be seeking defense – had inquired about the Minnesota Wild’s Mathew Dumba. Not only does this say that the Hurricanes are at least looking into options beyond rentals, with Dumba signed for three more years at $6MM, but it implies that the Wild are at least listening to offers on the young defenseman. New GM Bill Guerin has stated that the team is open for business, but moving Dumba would be a major move for the franchise. The team would have to recoup some highly valueable pieces to warrant trading away one of their few young difference-makers.
- Hurricanes prospect Patrik Puistola is on the move in the Finnish Liiga yet again. Puistola, 19, has struggled while playing for the team that owns his rights, Tappara, with just two points in 24 games. However, in an earlier loan this season to Jukurit, the swift winger posted five points in just seven games. Tappaara will try to loan him out again now, announcing that he has been sent to Kookoo. If Puistola performs with Kookoo as he did with Jukurit or at the World Juniors, where he posted eight points in seven games, then the team will be very happy about this temporary arrangement. Meanwhile, as Puistola’s attachment to Tappara continues to diminih, the odds are improving that he will make the jump to North America next season.
Best opportunity to use Kapanen in trade for back up goaltender!!!!!!!!!!!
G! How’s this for a radical idea, befitting of Kyle D. & Co.: Use Kapanen as the backup goalie! It’ll teach him to be punctual, because if he’s late covering the short side, there will be hell to pay! And, he’ll get extra target practice on game days! They’ll beg to get Sparks back, although word on the street is they just might get Ralphie out of retirement. He could be mic’d up and still do color commentary – a first!
Mac, thanks for comment , if Andersen is hurt and out with any time , don’t see the Leafs doing anything , no disrespect to minor league goalie , Kaskisuo might be better upside than Hutchinson, or if they did bring back Sparks, maybe Felix Potvin(the cat) , bring him out of retirement. or maybe the emergency goalie.
G – makes me wonder about the Marlies’ development methods. Kaskisuo was a good netminder in the NCHC with UM-D. Guys shouldn’t regress if the AHL team is even half-decent when it comes to developing players. We would have to think long and hard about the last backup in the TOR system that developed with the Marlies.
he’s late once in a while? what a shame, better sell low on him. us in Philly would help him take on his humble quest towards punctuality.
@DarkSide830 – that wouldn’t be the Philly two-hander to the back of the knees, would it? I listened to his spiel on interweb radio and visualized him rolling his eyes trying to answer the questions. “I promise not to do it again this week…”
Long as Gritty isn’t in deal, Kapanen to Philly, maybe wear his old man’s Sami old uni icon in Philly for a few years way back when.