…and they spell disaster for Kasperi Kapanen.
The Penguins’ winger has no points, only 18 shots and is minus-5 in his last 11 games.
Kapanen has just one goal in his last 18 games.
His meager total of eight penalty minutes reinforces what we see, namely a dedication to playing on the perimeter, staying away from traffic, and avoiding contact. Kapanen doesn’t engage.
GM Ron Hextall would doubtless love to trade Kapanen. But who would want him? (Maybe ex-Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, now president of hockey ops in Vancouver. Make the call. Rutherford drafted Kapanen in Pittsburgh, then traded to get him back from Toronto.)
Kapanen has betrayed his pedigree as a first-round pick, and his bloodline as the son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen.
Kasperi Kapanen is 25 and has scored more than 13 goals in a season just once.
He hasn’t replicated his past chemistry with Evgeni Malkin.
He frequently gets dropped to the bottom six. What’s next, a healthy scratch?
He is, by far, the Penguins’ biggest disappointment this season.
Kasperi Kapanen is an empty jersey.
Photo: Getty Images