News/views: Kapanen on the way

Nice

Love this. SPEED & fresh legs for the playoffs.

Can't wait.

Yes!!!!!!!!!!

As a WBS supporter first and PIT supporter second, I am equal parts excited to see what Kapanen can do in the WB for the last few weeks of the season and hesitant to see how his insertion into an already-solid WBS roster affects the dynamic of the team.

I hope this works. Ever since 2005, when the junior ATO tandem of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards powered the Philly Phantoms to the league title, I've been waiting for a similar young talent to supercharge WBS in the same way. Maybe this is the guy. Maybe this is the time.

So if he would play for the big club I assume he takes BB aka milk carton's roster spot.

Thanks, DK. Any word as to whether there are similar plans for Sundqvist?

Although I don't like to comment on hockey, because I know very little about it, I will say I feel this is a mistake.

Besides the contract issue, burning a year, this kid is pretty small. I watched a few highlights and he seems to have speed, but 170 lbs? Not sure what hes gonna do. Think their better of letting this boy put on some muscle before letting him get banged around by the Caps or Rangers.

But, ill defer to those who know more hockey than I.

Must be fast , looks like a NASCAR car.
Still a little room on there DK, squeeze you logo in there some place! lol

Maybe right around ideapark,

The Penguins will have to burn an entire year off his entry level contract. Is that worth it? It would be if the Penguins were more of a favorite to win the Cup, or you were certain he would help immediately. I'm just not so sure he will be able to help immediately - he will have very little time to learn and gel with the team. And even if he does, are the Penguins really close enough that Kapanen puts them over the edge? I'm just not sure the reward is worth the risk.

Hopefully KK works out better than Shawn McEachern did in 92

Is the 10 game junior exemption still in place or will any game played burn his first year? Haven't heard and am too busy.. Ok ok. Too lazy to google.
Either way I think it's a good risk. Fresh young legs is what this team needs. Leave the future to the future.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If you're in "win now" mode, then the least of your worries should be burning a year of an ELC while the rest of your core gets another year older and a compilation of significant injuries. Let's hope the kid provides a spark.

Those jerseys look like billboards. It reminds me of NASCAR.

Love those NASCAR inspired uniforms

Yes, for Pete's sake. Geno needs this kind of winger as much as Sid needs a Hornqvist on his line. Thank goodness...

Young legs...let the kid loose!

It may be worth the gamble to just have the kid on the shelf ready to go.
The way the Pens injury luck has been someone is sure to go down for at least a game or two.
Give him a couple weeks in WB, see how he looks and if it turns out he does have the Olli Maatta maturity.... who knows.

Not to mention, the team could use a little gee-whiz playoff enthusiasm too. What you've got right now is a roster full of guys who are getting too used to getting bounced too early.

Watch the game action video carefully: when Kasperi scores, the players who surround him are the same size as he is. == S-M-A-L-L

Small players and big ice———lots of room for Kapanen.

NHL: Big players and small ice———Kasperi getting CRUSHED!

However, I'm in favor of seeing if he can be a spark. Maybe we have another Jueng Kang——AA caliber wonder——on our hands. Try it and see!

penguins are gearing up... I also geared up. Went Lunatic in prep for the hockey playoffs and baseball season. love your stuff, DK.

Good to see he's already well-versed in wearing the Black & Gold.

I don't think it's a desperate move, but it's a pretty big reach to think this kid's going to be a huge difference in a playoff run. Bottom line, he'll be more valuable than Bennett, and that can't hurt.

So they are just gonna put a kid with zero NHL experience straight into the Stanley Cup Playoffs? I don't see that as a great idea. We have skill players. We don't need more. The officiating in the playoffs completely nullifies any skill you have on the ice. Honestly, we need more guys that are willing to play ugly playoff hockey. This kid isn't ready for that.

Well, the video shows two things: a snappy wrist shot and a nose for the net. What's not to like?

You think Kunitz looks slow now? He can skate, but getting past the stick work and the interference is something he is not ready for. Now if he isn't active does he keep the year of his ELC.

DK - you called this. Nice job

That cat is fast!!!

Smart decision. This isn't about desperation mode or thinking that Kapanen will be the savior to the season. This is about a player with speed and skill who could potentially contribute in the playoffs. Guys like Adams, Lapierre, and Bennett could easily be pushed out of the lineup. . Its not nearly as risky with young forwards as defenseman. I'd like to see them bring Sundqvist over as well

I think this is a fun move. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Regardless, that international ice is jarringly huge. Would be cool to see the NHL game on a similar-sized surface.

Thanks again for sharing great news for Pens Fans, DK. Watching video of Kasperi Kapanen Highlights reminds me of how much I Love the Kid, and how much I HATE ads on Hockey uniforms!

Why not bring Sundqvist too?

KK Just what we need for playoffs, someone fresh with skill and speed!

A desperate decision that can payoff and give a younger player valuable experience. Rutherford is left in a difficult position with Shero's long term contract along with prospects the pens overvalued such as Bennett.

I don't know what they put in the water over there in Scandinavia, but I love it. Maatta and Kapanen have sounded like vets since day 1 and Hornqvist is just absolutely relentless.

I think the kid will have a solid, if not spectacular, career with the Pens. He has good wheels and hands and will be able to deal with the smaller NHL rinks. However, I have to wonder if this timing is right for either the Pens or Kapanen.

My question on photo:

Why is Olli wearing a NASCAR jersey?

I hope he does play in he playoffs. It can't hurt!

i think bennett's confidence and will to play in the NHL left along with Borts...Kappy cant do any worse!!!

Isn't he 18, not 19? Minor detail, yeah. But I remember him turning 18 around prospect camp. Google seems to agree with me.

Wow, he has more sponsors on his sweater than a NASCAR driver!

Great read DK, I am almost embarrassed by some of the comments below....Pens fans have more hockey IQ correct?? Flyers eliminated! lol

Wow...must cost like fifty bucks to get an ad in that league. Ads EVERYWHERE. Watching those yellow unis skate around too long could cause a seizure! That said...why not give the kid a chance to get some playoff experience under his belt? Honestly don't feel this year that we got a team that's gonna go all the way. Sorry..I just don't feel it. He'll be here next year for sure. Throw him out there against playoff teams and see what he can really do. He's fast and has good hands. Other than than the $$ clock...I see no real downside.

Remember what Chris Kreider brought to the Rangers in a similar situation in the playoffs a couple of years ago? The possibility of immediate impact is definitely there.

Wow...now this is interesting.

Is that ZZ Top playing on the video?