It’s catchy and could catch on quickly for the Montreal Canadiens, putting the three 90s together on the second line.
Oliver Kapanen flanked by Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov, I think Kappy has some big game skill in him.
Ivan Demidov is in the building watching his Habs in person for the first time 👀 pic.twitter.com/kvfmRQiNG4
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 12, 2025
Surely pairing him with the Finns could be a potion to a magic spell that lifts the Habs past the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.
Montreal needs a centre to help now, and while he is young, he is a professional hockey player, with 173 games of experience (Mestis, SHL and Liiga) under his belt. Along with appearances internationally, he competed for the Spengler Cup, playing games for ( ), and the World Championships for Finland, playing 8 games, en route to a ( )
Kapanen, 21, is at the perfect age to pop off, and the sooner he gets Alex Newhook’s role, the better the Habs will be. It feels like the right move.
I'm happy to see Oliver Kapanen back in the NHL after his very successful SHL campaign.
— Nick (@nickthehabsfan) April 12, 2025
He projects as a solid middle six player if he makes the NHL, a perfect fit for Montreal for the next decade or so.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/wwNiCYBiIe pic.twitter.com/wA1G7r5LSZ
Newhook would fit much better in the bottom six, his speed, tenacity and quick release work best on the rush, and especially off the cycle.
Montreal would kill two birds with one, add Demidov, and Kapanen swaps Newhook down to the third line. Newhook is a winger, and that is why Colorado traded him.
Jonathan Drouin is doing for Colorado, what Newhook does for the Habs. But he isn't Kapanen, and a move to the third line would help with the Habs' depth, and hopefully spark a flame for the Habs offense, that has sputtered against the Senators and Leafs.
Kapanen would have two elite wingers, and that would be quite the fun experience for the 21-year-old, who could have his coming out party in the Stanley Cup playoffs, once they find their way, hopefully into the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Having that balance will be tremendous, and anything that can get the offense striking is something very necessary for the CH.
That, and better deployment in overtime by Martin St. Louis who kept Lane Hutson on the bench during the Habs overtime loss on Saturday night. This, of course sets up for a big Monday night against Chicago.
Demidov's debut could be the perfect chance for the kid to help the Habs clinch a playoff berth, and help them into a very underdog playoff spot. A spot I don't think they mind, as it worked well in 2021.
Just get in, and let Patty and Ivan put all of Kappy's smart plays into positions for high-danger scoring chances. It will work, and I'm confident of that, very confident.