Toronto Maple Leafs: 4 questions to answer coming out of All-Star Break
By Austin Owens
3) Where does Kasperi Kapanen fit in?
Boy, can Kasperi Kapanen skate. He’s the best skater on the Toronto Maple Leafs, bar none. He’s also got a heap of skill and a great mind for the game. So why can’t he find a steady spot in the Leafs lineup?
It would all work out perfectly if not for the logjam that exists with the Leafs on the wing.
Yes, Kapanen did play on the fourth line alongside Matt Martin and Brian Boyle at the tail end of the 2017 season and into the playoffs.
He scored the overtime-winner in overtime of game two off a setup from Boyle.
He’s assumed that role again over the last two games with the Leafs. It’s come at the cost of scratching Martin, something you know Babcock isn’t fully on-board with.
Martin will find his way back into the lineup, and Kapanen will likely go back to the Marlies, where he’s played his way into the AHL All-Star Game, again. (Andreas Johnsson has replaced him due to the call-up)
Kapanen was sent down on Saturday. It’s unclear whether this was to give him ice time during the weekend, or if he is staying down for the next little bit. Regardless, Kapanen featured in the Marlies lineup on Sunday and registered two assists in the Marlies’ 4-2 win over the Syracuse Crunch.
Sheldon Keefe has also given Kapanen ample time on the penalty-kill with the Marlies, which adds to his value at the next level.
Will Kapanen play full-time with the Leafs this season? Not likely. Now, this is assuming the Leafs keep both James van Riemsdyk and Leo Komarov for the playoff stretch.
If either of those two moves, Kapanen will be the first name Babcock should have on his list to plug in as a replacement.
If they stay, however, Kapanen will likely have to wait his turn. He will almost certainly make the team out of camp next season. So he’s not far off from being a staple in the Leafs lineup.