Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images Once viewed as a fading former first-rounder, Kasperi Kapanen is rewriting his NHL story — just in time. After bouncing from Toronto to Pittsburgh to St. Louis, the 28-year-old Finnish winger has emerged as one of Edmonton’s most unexpected postseason heroes. From getting waived twice to logging top-line minutes in the Stanley Cup Final, Kapanen’s resurgence is more than just a feel-good tale — it’s proof that desperation and opportunity can sometimes collide at just the right moment.
“Might be my last chance”: Waived winger Kasperi Kapanen comes alive in Edmonton Oilers’ playoff run
Kasperi Kapanen’s career has always teased potential. But even after scoring a world junior gold medal-winning goal that ended up on a Finnish postage stamp, he often flew under the radar. “I don’t think teams really know what I’m capable of,” Kapanen once said early in his NHL career. “That’s why I try to use my speed and surprise them.”Seven years later, he’s still doing just that — now on hockey’s biggest stage.Inserted into the Edmonton Oilers’ lineup during the second round, Kapanen has since posted five points in eight playoff games and been trusted with penalty kill duties and top-six minutes. In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, he notched two assists, delivered five hits, and nearly scored a dazzling solo goal that left even Connor McDavid impressed.“Looked like Davo,” said goalie Stuart Skinner. “A beautiful rush,” added McDavid. “That would have been a pretty special goal for Kap.”Kapanen’s journey hasn’t been smooth. He admits, “There’s no point in getting into the why it wasn’t working out… but I knew that potentially this might be my last chance.”Criticized in Toronto for lacking focus, waived in Pittsburgh, and underwhelming in St. Louis, Kapanen is now finally delivering what Edmonton hoped for when they tracked him in free agency.“He’s been doing everything,” said coach Kris Knoblauch. “He’s got all the tools.”Now outscoring opponents 7-2 when he’s on the ice, Kapanen is proving himself when it matters most. “These are the best days of my life,” he said. “Playoff hockey is the best… I’m cherishing every moment.” And for a player once left behind, those moments couldn’t be more timely.Also Read: Florida Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov sets NHL record by winning Selke, King Clancy in the same year