PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There are players who have far more experience. Players who have a bigger role or have more pressure on them this season. As the Pens look for a spark without Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel to start the season. They don't have anyone on this roster right now as dynamic as forward Kasperi Kapanen.
The 25-year-old Pens first round pick in 2014, Kapanen looks like a different player on the ice in training camp. Head coach Mike Sullivan said he is a different player, thanks to a dedication to improving his fitness and overall his game.
"I think Kappy deserves so much credit for how hard he's worked to get himself into the condition he's put himself in," Sullivan said. "He's really put the work in during the course of training camp and during the off-season to position himself to have success. That's a conversation that him and I had over the last six months or so. Kappy's taken that to heart."
"This is probably the best shape I've ever been in," Kapanen said. "I feel great out there. I feel like I've had a good camp."
"It's a way of life," Sullivan said. "I think Kappy has really embraced that. We are encouraged about Kappy's commitment and his willingness and discipline to do everything in his power to set himself up for success."
Sullivan, Pens management and teammates believe there is more to the right-winger than the 11 goals and 19 assists in 40 games played. The 6'1" Finnish native says he is trying to unlock better play after calling last season 'a good year'.
"He's a really confident player," said Pens defenseman Kris Letang. "He makes a lot of plays. His speed is really tough to handle. Even in practice when you play against him. He's really tough to handle."
"He's so fast, shifty. He causes problem for the opposition. It creates so much room for his teammates. I think there is so much more potential that he can reach."
"He's still a young player. He's a really good one. Since last year, I'm still surprised how much he grew as a player already."
"What I've grown to admire about Kap is how much he loves the game," Sullivan said. "I couldn't be more happy for him for how hard he's worked. We are really excited about the potential moving forward."
Kapanen joins the PM Team with Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller at 2:25p Tuesday afternoon to preview the season.
