Oliver Kapanen: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Martin St-Louis has decided to shake things up. At today's team practice, the Canadiens had a new top line on offense. Oliver Kapanen lost his spot at center on the top line… and Alex Newhook took his place in practice.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 26

We need to talk about Oliver Kapanen’s (very) nasty play

Last night in Winnipeg, Oliver Kapanen was the center Martin St-Louis used the least. Again. It's kind of ironic, isn't it? The guy who plays center on

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Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 26

Oliver Kapanen: (once again) the least-used center last night

For the past two games, Nick Suzuki's absence hasn't been too noticeable. After all, the Canadiens have won twice. We all know this isn't sustainable in the long run, but the Habs can't do anything about it.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The biggest draft bust for every NHL team

People love a good mid-round draft pick that pans out, and in the NHL you used to see those fairly often, but that’s obviously partially luck. If the Red Wings thought Nicklas Lidstrom was going to become a top-five defenseman in history, they wouldn’t have waited until the 53rd pick to take him.

Montreal Canadiens News / NHL Trade Talk / October 23

Nick Suzuki’s Injury Opens the Door for Oliver Kapanen to Take Over

The Montreal Canadiens are off to an interesting start. Viewed by many as a trendy playoff pick and even a dark horse contender in the Atlantic Division, Montreal has stumbled out of the gate.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 22

Noah Dobson and Oliver Kapanen on the first power play during practice

Without Nick Suzuki, it's clear there's a hole in the lineup. For now, Oliver Kapanen is filling in for him on the first line. He's gone from the bench during the playoffs to the first line in just a few months.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 22

Oliver Kapanen replaces Nick Suzuki on the first line

Nick Suzuki will miss several weeks of action. That's THE big news of the day in Montreal. Naturally, we're wondering how the Canadiens will replace him.

NHL News / Dose.ca / October 17

The Explanation for Kapanen; McKenna Defends Hiller and Fowler’s Workload

Oliver Kapanen will play his first game of the 2026-27 season tonight. The Finnish player, who was expected to be the club's second-line center heading into the season, has not yet been able to play.

Montreal Canadiens News / Pro Hockey Rumors / October 17

Canadiens Activate Oliver Kapanen, Place Florian Xhekaj On IR

The Canadiens have made a pair of roster moves in advance of their game tonight against Buffalo. The team announced that center Oliver Kapanen will make his season debut, meaning he has been activated off injured reserve. To make room for him on the roster, winger Florian Xhekaj has been placed on IR.

Montreal Canadiens News / Daily Faceoff / October 17

Canadiens’ Oliver Kapanen to make season debut against Sabres

The Montreal Canadiens will get a boost to their lineup. The team announced on social media that forward Oliver Kapanen and defenseman David Reinbacher will make their 2026-27 regular-season debuts Saturday night when they host the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 17

David Reinbacher, Jacob Fowler, and Oliver Kapanen will play tonight

The Montreal Canadiens practiced this morning in preparation for their Saturday night game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Bell Centre. This practice gave us some important insights into tonight's lineup.

Montreal Canadiens News / A Winning Habit / October 17

Canadiens face tough lineup decisions with Kapanen and Demidov nearing return

The Montreal Canadiens have not had their full forward group on the ice in a single game this season. Oliver Kapanen has yet to play after suffering an injury during the preseason, while Ivan Demidov played just two games before going down with a lower-body injury.

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Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 16

Practice: Here’s the lineup with David Reinbacher and Oliver Kapanen

As you may know, Juraj Slafkovsky was absent from today’s practice. Oliver Kapanen, on the other hand, was there. After a few days of skating on his own (following a stretch where we never knew if he was going to skate or not), that was a good sign.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 15

Oliver Kapanen has a good chance of playing on Saturday

Oliver Kapanen’s situation is a mystery. The player, who has been on a day-to-day basis for the past few weeks, hasn't played yet this season. Sometimes he skates, but other times he can't get on the ice.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 13

Oliver Kapanen Still Absent from Practice

As long as the Canadiens don't give us any details about Oliver Kapanen, the situation will continue to be strange and keep people talking. That's to be expected.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 9

Oliver Kapanen is back on the ice

This morning, following yesterday's game, the Canadiens held a practice. It's worth noting, however, that this was an optional practice, just like yesterday's.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 8

Medical Updates on Samuel Montembeault and Oliver Kapanen

Currently, the Canadiens have four regulars on the injured list. Ivan Demidov, as you know, didn't play in yesterday's game, and the Habs have announced he'll be out for two to four weeks.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / October 7

Samuel Montembeault Leaves Canadiens Practice Early; Kapanen Absent Again

An apparent lower-body injury forced Montreal Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault to leave practice early and not return on Wednesday morning. Montembeault went down attempting to make a save early in his team’s practice session in Brossard and struggled to get up.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 7

Oliver Kapanen is absent from practice

This morning, the Canadiens practiced following their tough loss to the Hurricanes. Obviously, since we know Ivan Demidov is out with an injury for a few weeks, he wasn't one to watch during this morning's practice.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 6

The Strange Situation of Oliver Kapanen

Who is the Canadiens' second-line center? It's a question that keeps coming up. For now, it's Alex Newhook. He's been playing alongside Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov ever since Oliver Kapanen got injured before Game 1 of the season.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 3

Oliver Kapanen and Florian Xhekaj are (once again) out of the lineup tonight

Tonight, the Canadiens will face the Penguins in Pittsburgh. This will be the final road game for Martin St-Louis's team, who will head home in preparation for their game next Tuesday.

Montreal Canadiens News / The Sick Podcast / October 2

Status Of Oliver Kapanen Still Uncertain For Saturday vs Penguins

The Montreal Canadiens remain uncertain about the status of Oliver Kapanen for Saturday night’s matchup in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. When asked by the media on Friday about Kapanen’s availability for Saturday’s game, head coach Martin St.

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / October 2

Practice: Oliver Kapanen did not practice with the top six

This morning, the Canadiens practiced in Pittsburgh. Naturally, we were keeping an eye on the line combinations. Was Martin St-Louis going to make any changes from what we saw in yesterday's practice?

NHL News / NHL Rumors / September 11

NHL Rumors: Simon Edvinsson still waiting for the Detroit Red Wings to hire a GM

The Sick Podcast with Tony Marino: Marco D’Amico, on the Montreal Canadiens, on how it’s possible that center Oliver Kapanen could become a trade asset.

Montreal Canadiens News / Daily Faceoff / October 20, 2025

Oliver Kapanen has been a gem for Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens entered this season with high expectations after the young club qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a surprisingly excellent season a year ago.

Montreal Canadiens News / Montreal Hockey Now / February 14, 2025

Canadiens Prospect Report: Oliver Kapanen’s Potential Impact

Much was made of Montreal Canadiens prospect Oliver Kapanen’s performance at the 2024-25 training camp. And while the stats during his time in the NHL don’t quite correlate to the perception from most fans, the decision to loan him to Timra IK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) has paid dividends for the Habs.