Kapanen was scratched for Finland's tournament opener, but he'll replace Joel Kiviranta as the 13th forward vs. Sweden. Kapanen is having a great season with Montreal, scoring 18 goals with 13 assists (31 points) through 57 games, but he likely won't see many minutes on Friday.
Kapanen will slot in for Patrik Laine, who was a surprise scratch due to an upper-body injury. Kapanen will skate with Joel Armia and Emil Heineman on the Habs' fourth line.
With Emil Heineman returning from an upper-body injury, Kapanen will be a healthy scratch vs. Carolina. Kapanen appeared in six straight games, failing to record a point with just three SOG and a minus-1 rating.
Kapanen played 12 games with the Canadiens earlier this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A), before being loaned to Timra IK (SHL). The 21-year-old was impressive with Timra IK, scoring 35 points (15G / 20A) in 36 games.
Kapanen was the 64th overall pick of the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Kapanen made his NHL debut this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in 12 games with the Canadiens.
Emil Heineman will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Kapanen to make his NHL debut. Kapanen was the second-round pick (64 overall) of the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old spent last season with KalPa Kuopio (SM-liiga), where he scored 34 points (14G / 20A) in 51 games.
Kapanen is Montreal's 2021 second-round pick (64th overall) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on Saturday with the Canadiens. The 20-year-old Finish centre spent 2023-24 with KalPa (Liiga) and had 14 goals, and 34 points in 51 games played.
