Oliver Kapanen: 2nd liner of the future?

Oliver Kapanen's newfound spark during the 2025-26 season has sparked meaningful discussion among Canadiens fans and analysts about his long-term role in Montreal's lineup.

The 6'2", 194lb, 22-year-old was drafted 64th overall in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft, and has developed well from his role as a promising prospect to a regular NHL contributor. Frequently centering Montreal's second line alongside rising rookie Ivan Demidov and Juraj Slafkovsky, Kapanen is proving to have the talent for the present and the future.

Early season production

Kapanen has made an excellent contribution to the Canadiens' offensive performance. In the 2025-26 season, Kapanen has scored 16 goals and 11 assists (27 points) with a +4. The improvement in his performance has been excellent, with last season seeing him play only 18 games and score 0 goals and 2 assists (2 points), along with a -5 rating.

This strong showing for a second-line centre with limited NHL experience has made him a dependable contributor and a reliable centre to showcase the talents of Slafkovsky and Demidov. Slafkovsky has 17 goals, 21 assists (38 points), and a +8 in 47 games, while Demidov also has 10 goals, 29 assists (39 points), and +9 in 47 games.

Trust from coaching

Montreal's head coach has shown increasing trust in the Slafkovsky-Kapanen-Demidov line, inserting them for big second-line minutes and high-leverage shifts. This productive line has developed highlightable chemistry and role clarity, even after a slow start earlier in the season.

In addition to offensive production, evaluators have noted Kapanen's excellent two-way play and positioning, allowing for Demidov and Slafkovsky to play their game without worry, essential for the pivot tasked with generating points and stabilizing the 5-on-5.

General manager Kent Hughes has publicly expressed confidence in Kapanen's long-term potential. During a mid-season press conference, he stated that he had "no doubt that Kapanen would eventually settle into that role regularly in the NHL," a strong endorsement that reinforces his future value to the Canadiens.

While there are plenty of encouraging performances, Kapanen is making a strong case, with improvements needed for consistency over multiple seasons before the verdict is fully written. With Oliver Kapanen also making Team Finland for the 2026 Olympics in Milano, many eyes look to see how he performs internationally as well. Overall, Kapanen has done enough to be seriously considered a legitimate candidate for the role Montreal envisions moving forward, and as the Canadiens push towards playoff contention in 2026, his evolution and role are pivotal.