The Montreal Canadiens have made a daring move this season, placing their trust in a young center who, until recently, was a relative unknown to most fans. While some skeptics questioned the decision to slot Oliver Kapanen alongside Ivan Demidov on the second line, early results have left critics speechless and supporters buzzing with excitement. Kapanen’s performance has not only silenced doubters but also caught the attention of former Canadiens players, sparking comparisons that could redefine his future in the NHL.

In a recent episode of a popular hockey podcast, a respected voice from Montreal’s past made a bold claim that has fans and analysts alike scrambling for more details. Could Kapanen be the answer to a lingering void left by one of the team’s most beloved centers? Is the young Finn truly on the path to becoming the next Phillip Danault, a player whose intelligence and two-way game have been sorely missed since his departure?

As praise pours in from all corners, questions about Kapanen’s ceiling and his impact on the Canadiens’ season grow louder. What makes him so special, and how might his unique skill set change the trajectory of this storied franchise? The answers promise to surprise and inspire.

Photo of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton

Photo credit: Habsfanatics/NHL

Many hockey fans weren’t too thrilled about the idea of seeing Oliver Kapanen start the season as the second-line center with Ivan Demidov.

We can say that this bold bet by Martin St-Louis is paying dividends for the Montreal Canadiens, as the Swedish forward already has three goals on the board and has managed to impress a former player of the Tricolore.

During a recent episode of the La Poche Bleue podcast, Maxim Lapierre mentioned that he really liked what he was seeing from Oliver Kapanen and even compared him to a solid center for the Los Angeles Kings.

“Oliver Kapanen is going to replace Phillip Danault.”

– Maxim Lapierre

Lapierre, who was joined by Pascal Leclaire for the recording of this episode, explained that it’s the first time a center of Danault’s caliber has played for the Canadiens since his departure in the summer of 2021, as reported by the site DansLesCoulisses.

The addition of young Oliver Kapanen to the Montreal Canadiens lineup is a successful one, and he will be a Phillip Danault, according to Max Lapierre

We love to hear that!

“Just like Danault, Kapanen is a very intelligent player in both directions on the ice, who executes all the small details brilliantly, in addition to being able to contribute offensively thanks to his very good vision of the game.

The Finnish center even seems to have a little more offensive talent than the Quebecer, which could make him even more important to the team.”

– Via DansLesCoulisses

We can’t wait to follow him throughout the season!