While there’s no doubt Ivan Demidov is a leading candidate to win the Calder Trophy this season as the NHL’s outstanding rookie, Oliver Kapanen is making a strong case that he could deserve consideration as well.
“I don’t want to think about that one too much,” Kapanen said after Tuesday’s practice. But then he quickly added: “I mean, why not? It would mean a lot.”
Why not indeed?
Seven games into the season, the Canadiens’ rookie centre has four goals, including the opening score in Monday’s 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre. Only Cole Caufield, with five, has scored more for Montreal. No NHL rookie has more goals.
While there’s no doubt Demidov, the right-winger on the line, has more natural talent, Kapanen has impressed with his effective two-way game. The early-season goal production has been an added bonus on a team that had only four players score at least 20 last season.
Kapanen, 22, had his most productive season in 2024-25, with 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games for Timra IK of the Swedish Hockey League. He began last season with the Canadiens, playing 12 games before venturing overseas. When the Swedish season ended, he returned to Montreal in early April.
In 18 games, Kapanen had two assists. He picked up another point in three playoff games against Washington before concluding his season with Laval. In 11 AHL playoff games, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder had three goals and six points.
“Of course, when I get a chance, I put the puck in the net,” Kapanen said. “I know I can score. When I scored the first one in the first game (at Toronto), that opened the locks and it got my confidence high. I’m not that surprised (with) the way I’m scoring now.”
Neither is Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis.
“You can see Kapanen’s potential,” he said. “Demidov has a little more flashiness to his game, but Kapanen plays a very mature game and finds himself in really good spots. I think they balance each other very well on the ice.
“I don’t think you go into the season and put a number of goals a kid’s going to get. I’m not surprised that he does (score goals) because he goes to the right spots.”
Kapanen believes the brief time he spent last season in North America made the transition easier when he returned from summer training in Finland. Playing on a line with the talented Demidov, who has a goal and five points, hasn’t hurt, either. Demidov is tied for the NHL rookie lead in points.
“I’m a lot more comfortable and more confident,” Kapanen said. “Last year gave me lots of things to analyze in my head. How to practise in the summer and get ready for the season. It was way easier to come here now.
“We know (Demidov’s) skilled with the puck. He has playmaking skills. I try to keep my stick ready wherever I am.”
Montreal Canadiens centre Oliver Kapanen celebrates his goal past Buffalo Sabres’ Alex Lyon during first period at the Bell Centre on Monday.
Alex Newhook, who is 24 but already in his sixth NHL season, completes the line on left wing. Newhook is killing penalties this season — along with Kapanen — while being tasked with becoming a more complete defensive player. But he still has a goal and four points in seven games. Newhook had two assists against the Sabres.
All three players possess superb skating skills and attack with pace in the offensive zone, while Kapanen and Newhook can play centre or on a wing.
“He (Kapanen) is playing well,” Newhook said. “He’s doing a good job slotting into the lineup right off the bat here. He’s a smart player. He’s easy to play with. He reads the play really well and is good defensively. It has been a good start. He’s getting to the right areas and scoring goals in front of the net. That’s where a lot of the goals come from in this league. The guys in here know what he’s capable of. I think he’s capable of scoring a lot.”
The Canadiens (5-2) begin a four-game road trip Wednesday at Calgary (8:30 p.m., SN, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) before continuing on to Edmonton on Thursday, Vancouver on Saturday and Seattle next Tuesday.
St. Louis declined to name his starting goaltender against the Flames, but with games on consecutive nights, Sam Montembeault and Jakub Dobes are expected to play. Injured centre Kirby Dach will make the trip and play at some point, but fellow forward Patrik Laine remains sidelined and won’t travel, St. Louis said.
Meanwhile, forward Joshua Roy and defenceman Marc Del Gaizo have been recalled from Laval, while Owen Beck has returned to the Rocket.
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