Edmonton Oilers bust a move, bring in speedy veteran winger from ...

This in, news from the team that the Edmonton Oilers have claimed St. Louis Blues forward Kaspari Kapanen on waivers: “The Oilers have claimed forward Kasperi Kapanen via waivers from the St. Louis Blues. The right-winger has recorded 85 goals & 124 assists in 470 career NHL games.”

Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now reports: “Kapanen has some pace to his game and has seen PK minutes in Toronto and St. Louis.”

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And Mark Spector of Sportsnet: This is an admission EDM needs some speed off the wing, and likely a chance to NOT play Corey Perry every night. I like Perry, but not when he’s tired. As for Kapanen, he’s a wildcard. Not a fan fave – or very productive – in last few stops. A bit of a reach, IMO.”

1. Kapanen, 28, a right shot, right winger is on a one year deal that pays him $1 million, so there’s no major cap considerations here, at least if the Oilers are no longer bent on building up cap space and/or are willing to send down a forward, likely Corey Perry or Derek Ryan, to the AHL.

2. Will this help the Oilers? In terms of two-way play (as measured by the contributions to Grade A shots at even strength compared to their mistakes on Grade A shots against at even strength), the weakest Oilers forwards this year have been Ryan, Perry and Jeff Skinner.

Skinner is paid $3 million per year and is still finding a home, but he’s not going anywhere. Ryan and Perry are the two eldest Oilers forwards and they’re no longer getting the job done as they once did. Adding Kapanen to replace one of Edmonton’s Top 9 forwards is a reach, but it’s not a reach to think he can bring more speed and aggression than either Perry or Ryan. It’s time for a change.

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3. Drake Caggiula and Noah Philp are both playing well in the American Hockey League from all reports. If Kapanen replaces Perry just now, it would make sense to call up Philp to replace Ryan, and to bring up Caggiula as the 12 forward. Edmonton could use a massive infusion of energy just now. Kapanen, Philp and Cagguila will provide it.

P.S. Oilers fans are also weighing in on the signing:

Paul Raimundo ???????? @paulraimundo This also sends a message to some existing players in the lineup that we are not going to stand still. We will find a replacement for you if you won’t do your job.

????ESSE (The????Drop) @97OrangeCrush29 If Kapanen ain’t on McDavids wing… I give up. Skill meet skill. One thing Kapanen will do is shoot with Elite Center…. He’s got speed for McDavid as well. Finally RNH can play with Drai ????? ????

JohnnyJapan???? @japan_johnny Terrible acquisition. He’s failed on three teams.

Edmonton Oilerlytics @EdmOilerlytics Who’s going down when Arvidsson and Nurse are back? I assume the plan is to still accrue

Soups on Hockey @tjsoups I’m all for Oilers outrage…when it makes sense. Never forget how nuts ppl went when they re-signed Devin Shore. It wasn’t a good move, but there was zero risk involved with it and didn’t prevent anything from happening. Kapanen is that same move. Zero risk involved. Chill

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Jeffery Ade @Ade780 Ha, payback for that Holloway and Broberg offer sheet!????

Kam D. @G0tta_be_KD Hope you told Kap that you expect him to start in goal next game, since Skinner isn’t getting it done.

Mark ???? @TheLineBlender I rolled my eyes when I heard the Kapanen claim. But I actually think Pod-Drai-Kapanen can be better than Perry was on line 2. Ample speed and a few skills on the wings. That said – management sacrificed EVERYTHING for their cap space, and just used a chunk for revenge.

Trent Wilhauk @TheMrWilhauk Ok I’ll say it… IMO…. Jeff Jackson made way too many mistakes July 1 to be a General Manager in the NHL. Those mistakes cost the Oilers youth, speed & most importantly defensive depth. Bowman has a mess to clean up and it might cost the Oilers this season to do it. Always fun times in Oil Country.

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