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The Habs Top 10 Prospects: #9 Oliver Kapanen

Originally posted on The Sick Podcast | By Nick Lariviere | Last updated Aug 8, 2025 12:10 PM ET

For the 9th-best prospect in the Habs organization, we have Oliver Kapanen. Of all the prospects in the top 10, Kapanen currently has the most NHL experience thus far, but he lands at #9 because his potential is lower than everyone else above him. Not to mention, nobody had a crazier year than Kapanen within the organization.

Kapanen was given NHL experience right out of the gate rather than head to the SHL to start the 2024-25 season. Despite starting in the NHL, I believe they always had the plan to send him back to Europe for the season. However, it became clear quickly that he wasn’t ready for the NHL. It wasn’t that he struggled immensely, but Kapanen always seemed a step behind most NHLers. It could be a factor of not being used to the North American ice. The good news is that when the Habs finally sent him back to Timra of the SHL, it gave him tons of confidence to have a breakout year. He put up 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games. Then he scored 2 goals and 3 points in 6 playoff games for Timra, which tied for the most on the team.

His strong season in the SHL gave him a call-up to finish the season back in Montreal. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get his game up to par before being thrust into the NHL playoffs. In the playoffs, it was clear that he was too raw and not ready for NHL playoff hockey. Nonetheless, it was a good experience for him to grow as a player. He managed to collect an assist in 3 playoff games.

Once the Habs were eliminated, he was sent to the AHL to play playoff hockey in a third league during the 2024-25 season. Kapanen had an easier time in the AHL by putting up 3 goals and 6 points in 11 playoff games for the Rocket, who went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Some people criticized Kapanen for not being dominant in the AHL playoffs, but the reality is that playing your first games with a team in the playoffs makes it hard to gain chemistry with your teammates. Therefore, his performance was still good for what he was brought in to do.

He is expected to play in Laval to start the 2025-26 season, which should be beneficial for his development, as he needs to become more accustomed to the North American game before earning some NHL time again. The Habs also have much better forward depth heading into this season, so barring any injuries, Kapanen should be able to round out his game in Laval.

Another reason Kapanen is here on my list rather than higher up is that I think his entire fate in the Canadiens organization depends on him eventually beating out Owen Beck for a spot as a bottom-six centre. Currently, I see Beck ahead of Kapanen due to his elite faceoff skills and hockey brain. Beck seems to also have more of a middle-six centre potential who can play up and down the lineup, whereas Kapanen seems like he’d be slotted on in as a bottom-six centre.

This upcoming season will be very key for Kapanen’s future with the Canadiens, as he and Beck will likely battle it out on who is the prospect they should keep long-term. Now, this doesn’t mean I don’t see Kapanen playing in the NHL, because I truly think he’ll be an everyday NHLer somewhere, but it may not be in Montreal.

Kapanen’s strong 2-way game and heavy shot make him a very good candidate to be an NHLer, just look at what former Hab Emil Heineman did after having one full season in the AHL, at last year’s training camp. Kapanen could surprise us all and make the team over guys like Sammy Blais or Joe Veleno when it’s all set and done. However, his potential is limited to a bottom-six role. Check out yesterday’s #10 prospect by clicking here.

This article first appeared on The Sick Podcast and was syndicated with permission.

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