Even though most players in the Montreal Canadiens organization are now free to enjoy a few weeks of rest and relaxation, there are still key prospects involved in playoff hockey in their various junior leagues, not to mention players who recently put an end to their playoff runs.
When we talk about a prospect who could sign a contract soon with the Canadiens, we’re talking about Lane Hutson. Or maybe Luke Tuch or Adam Engstrom. But Oliver Kapanen?
More and more, we’re hearing about Oliver Kapanen among the Montreal Canadiens’ prospects. First, he finished the regular season on a high. Then, he started the playoffs in Finland’s top division (SM-Liiga) like a lion.
Montreal Canadiens fans don’t get a lot of breaking news in the month of August so here at A Winning Habit, we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 31 prospects currently in the Habs organization.
Now that the Montreal Canadiens have revamped their development team, or rather, put a legitimate development team in place, we’re starting to get a better idea of which prospects have the potential to one day make an impact in the NHL.
The Montreal Canadiens’ second-round pick at the 2021 NHL Draft has flown under the radar amongst Habs’ fans. Although Oliver Kapanen has been brilliant on the international stage and has been developing in the Finnish Liiga, names like Owen Beck and Filip Mesar have garnered the most hype.
The Montreal Canadiens have six prospects playing in this year’s World Junior Championship (WJC), the most of any NHL team. These prospects are spread out between six different countries, and four play on teams that are expected to medal or come close to winning one.
Oliver Kapanen and Joakim Kemell each had a goal and an assist as Finland beat Slovakia 5-2 on Tuesday at the world junior hockey championship.
The Canadiens prospect will play in his second full tournament. After an injury scare in one of his last games, Oliver Kapanen was named to Finland’s World Juniors roster for the tournament starting on December 26.
We look at the deployment of the two Finnish prospects, and highlight Adam Engström’s quick rise to the SHL. Oliver Kapanen, KalPa, Liiga Finland The Finnish centre has one eye on the World Junior Championship that starts in less than a month.
10 players who shined in recent international events.
The forward adds to his point total, while Frederik Dichow is hung out to dry by his team. Oliver Kapanen, KalPa, Liiga, Finland Another week and another couple of points from Oliver Kapanen, who had two assists in the game against Kärpät on Saturday.
The Canadiens prospect gets represent his country again. After a stellar start to the season, it comes as no surprise that Montreal Canadiens prospect Oliver Kapanen has been named to Finland’s U20 team that will go to Ostrava, Czechia to play Sweden and Czechia.
Frederik Dichow finally gets a start, and Oliver Kapanen’s rebound season continues. Petteri Nurmi, HPK, Liiga, Finland The Finland focus for me this week was on Petteri Nurmi, who had a couple of really good games where he played solid two-way hockey for all six periods.
The defenceman showed off his speed in his professional debut, while Engström and Kapanen continue to progress. Miguël Tourigny, Dukla Trencin, Tipos Extraliga, Slovakia The seventh round pick from the 2022 NHL Draft made his professional debut in Bratislava against Slovan on Friday night, and I have to say I was impressed with his speed.
Kapanen debuted at #16 a year ago, but a lack of progression sees him drop down the list. It was an up-and-down 2021-22 season for Oliver Kapanen. The Finnish centre played in a few different leagues, with varying degrees of success.
The Montreal Canadiens have several high profile prospects who will elect not to play in the upcoming summer World Junior tournament. The event is always played around the holidays, but the 2022 tournament was postponed due to Covid outbreaks.
Montreal Canadiens prospects Oliver Kapanen, Jan Mysak and Kaiden Guhle were supposed to partake in the 2022 World Juniors tournament back in December and January.
Frederik Dichow responds well to a four-goal game, while Norlinder still isn’t back after a head injury. Oliver Kapanen, KalPa, Liiga, Finland. The Finnish centre was used sparingly in his return to the top league in Finland after the World Junior Hockey Championship.
The Montreal Canadiens have three players in action at the World Juniors this year. All three players were supposed to play today but a last minute Covid positive test result has forced the forfeiture of one of those games.
Oliver Kapanen is the lone overseas Habs prospect with a shot at a WJC roster spot, but an injury recovery may impact his selection. Frederik Dichow, Kristianstad, HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden It was a tough week not only for Dichow but for the whole of the Kristianstad team, which suffered from a winter cold outbreak.
Kapanen has his focus set on the upcoming World Junior Championship. Finland just won their game against Sweden in the 4-Nations U20 tournament, the last tournament before the World Junior Championships in Edmonton.
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