Kapanen's Position on Waivers

In a surprising turn of events, the St. Louis Blues have placed winger Kasperi Kapanen on waivers with the intention of assigning him to AHL Springfield, according to Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet. This decision comes after a challenging start to the season for the 28-year-old forward.

Struggles on the Ice

Kapanen has struggled to find his footing on the ice due to an upper-body injury and a series of healthy scratches, limiting him to just 10 games this season. His statistics paint a grim picture: only one goal and a disappointing -6 rating, with a CF% of 45.9. His offensive contributions have been minimal, yielding merely 11 shots on goal.

Coaching Decisions and Team Needs

The management's frustrations have been compounded by head coach Drew Bannister reducing Kapanen's ice time to 11:19 per game—his lowest since his rookie year with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017-18. With Kapanen not playing for consecutive games and the Blues needing roster flexibility to activate Robert Thomas from injured reserve, it became apparent that Kapanen was no longer a fit for the team’s current strategy.

Past Performance and Contract Situation

After a lackluster previous season where he posted only six goals and a total of 22 points across 73 games—his worst points-per-game rate as a full-time NHL player—the Blues could have opted to move on from Kapanen during the offseason. Instead, they re-signed him to a one-year, $1MM contract shortly after the free agent market opened on July 1. This agreement is a one-way deal, meaning if he clears waivers, he won’t impact the Blues' cap situation should he report to Springfield.

Acquisition and Performance History

Originally acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in February 2023, Kapanen was drafted in the first round back in 2014 by the same franchise. While he initially showed promise in his new environment with 14 points in just 23 games after joining the Blues, consistency eluded him. He struggled with an abysmal shooting rate of just 6.1% this season, further exacerbating his decline down the team’s depth chart.

Future Prospects

Despite his current struggles, Kapanen's history as a former 20-goal scorer and five-time 30-point producer could draw interest from other teams in need of forward depth. The opportunity for a fresh start may lie ahead for him if he can find a new home. If not, he may face the prospect of his first stint in the minors since the 2017-18 season, a stark reality for a player once regarded as a potential star.

Conclusion

What does the future hold for Kasperi Kapanen? As teams analyze their roster needs, it’s critical to keep an eye on the waivers; Kapanen might just be the hidden gem looking for a chance to revive his career. Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds!