SHL success could help Oliver Kapanen boost Canadiens’ secondary scoring

BROSSARD, Que. — I was sitting with Emil Heineman a little over a week ago, asking him to put Oliver Kapanen’s exploits in the Swedish Hockey League in proper context because he was the perfect person to do it ahead of Kapanen’s imminent return to North America.

That wasn’t just because Heineman spent three formative years of his career playing in that league for Leksands. It was also because he played for parts of two seasons in the American Hockey League and could use both experiences to paint a clearer picture what Kapanen actually accomplished in the SHL this season and how that might have prepared him just as well as some AHL experience for this go around in the world’s best hockey league.

“I think he’s going to look pretty different coming back,” Heineman said about the 21-year-old who, prior to debuting with the Montreal Canadiens in October, had only played professional hockey in the Finnish Liiga.

“I was really impressed to see him produce a point per game in the SHL,” Heineman continued. “That’s a big deal over there. It’s different than the AHL in that there are a lot of veterans but also a lot of teenagers, so the gap in talent and experience is wider. But it’s the most defensive league there is and you have to be really good to produce that much there — especially at 21.”

At 21, Heineman was pretty good there. 

But he still only produced eight goals and 15 points in 35 games with Leksands before joining the Laval Rocket and posting seven goals and nine points in his first 11 AHL games. 

Even if that experience was unique to Heineman, the difference in production within the same season at least partially supported his assertion about the defensive difference between both leagues. 

Kapanen has never played in the AHL, but he put up 15 goals and 35 points in 36 games for Timra, making him the highest-scoring 21-year-old in the uber-defensive SHL this season. 

There were only 23 players who produced more points in the league than he did, but all of them played between 47 and 52 games and only three of those 23 produced at a higher point-per-game clip. And none of those three players were younger than 24 years old.

So it’s certainly understandable that Heineman was so impressed with what Kapanen did. 

Kapanen’s performance also lends credence to Heineman’s belief that it sets him up to “look pretty different” than he did through his first 12 NHL games.

“Just knowing what to expect will also help,” said Heineman, who got his first taste of what the NHL might be like at 2023 training camp before arriving at 2024 camp much more prepared to take the step.

We won’t have to wait long to see if Kapanen is ready.

After producing two goals and three points in six playoff games before Timra’s elimination, he was summoned back to Montreal to presumably help the Canadiens’ playoff push. 

It doesn’t guarantee he’ll play against the Boston Bruins Thursday, but there’s hope that, whenever he does get in, he’ll provide an offensive boost to a line that needs one.

In addition to helping Jake Evans and Joel Armia produce at five-on-five, he could also potentially help the Canadiens’ second power-play unit, which has produced just six of the 22 power-play goals the team has scored since Jan. 1.

Kapanen is likely going to get that chance, and we’ll see what he does with it.

Michael Pezzetta rolling with the punches

The timing of Kapanen’s arrival is tough for Pezzetta, who may have been used very sparingly but still made good use of his time in the Canadiens’ two biggest wins of the season.

His touches against the Florida Panthers were good, and he helped the fourth line sustain some offensive pressure despite not starting a single shift in the offensive zone.

Considering Pezzetta was doing that mostly against Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and a mix of Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samskevich, that was important.

“It’s crunch time and we’re pushing for a playoff spot,” Pezzetta said, “So I’m just keeping things simple, playing hard and being reliable.”

It’s not an easy thing to do when playing only nine shifts and less than six minutes, but Pezzetta has at least found a way to be relatively effective under those circumstances.

Nothing has been easy for him this season. The 27-year-old, who came into it with 15 goals and 23 assists in 175 NHL games, was a healthy scratch from Oct. 28-Jan. 2. He’s been in and out of the lineup since, appearing in just 16 of the 37 games the Canadiens have played, and it’s been a heavy mental challenge — as it would be for any player in his situation — to avoid trying to do too much with the limited opportunity he’s had.

Pezzetta fell into that trap early, taking penalties in three straight games in January. 

But he’s kept out of the box since and provided energy when called upon.

“It’s been a grind,” the Toronto native said. “But I’ve just tried to check all my boxes every day and remain ready. With the way things were going, I wasn’t expecting to be playing now, but I was ready to help when given the chance. Been in the lineup for these two games with the team playing well, so just hope to stay in the lineup.”

Pezzetta brings a different dimension than Kapanen does. He is far more limited in terms of what he can provide offensively, but he’s also a more direct player who can be more effective on the forecheck.

Ultimately, neither of them is going to see a lot of ice time, and both have to show they can still be effective under those circumstances.

Pezzetta hasn’t gotten credit for that, but he deserves some for how he played against the Panthers.

And the positive attitude he’s maintained all season should keep him ready to help if Kapanen falters in his place.

It’s an attitude Pezzetta’s teammates have appreciated.

“I’ve never seen him complain,” said Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault. “He’s been awesome. He always comes to the rink with a smile on his face, always encourages everyone after games, always talking to everybody on the plane, always working hard. When he’s not playing, he’s always in the gym and keeping himself in really good shape, and he’s just been a really good pro for us.”

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