Kapanen excited to prove himself with Blues

Kasperi Kapanen feels like he has a lot to prove.
The 26-year-old forward has posted just seven goals and 13 assists this season for the Pittsburgh Penguins - almost certainly below his own personal expectations for himself.
On Saturday, the Blues were successful in placing a waiver claim on the 6-foot-1 Finnish forward, giving him the change of scenery he said he was looking for.

"This year hasn't been up to my expectations, but I know what I'm capable of bringing to a team when I'm at my best," Kapanen added. "I haven't been doing that as of late, and I think a fresh start is exactly what I need to kind of prove myself and show I'm a good hockey player and hopefully I can just help the team out."
Hockey runs in Kapanen's blood. His dad, Sami, had a 12-year NHL career from 1995 to 2008. Kasperi was a first-round pick (No. 22 overall) in 2014 by Pittsburgh, but was traded to the Maple Leafs in a deal that brought Phil Kessel to the Penguins.
He played parts of five seasons and 202 games for the Maple Leafs before a 2020 trade that sent him back to the Penguins, where he remained until being claimed by the Blues on Saturday.

"We're getting a player in here at his age that has a lot to prove and is under contract next year for us," Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong said. "We (can) get a good look at him, he gets a chance to get more ice time and prove what he is as a player, and if it works out, we have a chance to sign him a year from now still at a young age… I don't see a lot of risk in it, and I hope (there's) a lot of upside for him and for us."
Kapanen posted carer highs in goals (20), assists (24) and points (44) in the 2018-19 season with the Maple Leafs. In 364 games overall, he has 70 goals and 102 assists (172 points).
"When people talk about me, I think speed is the first thing that comes to mind, whether that's with the puck, bringing it into the zone or on the forecheck," Kapanen said. "This is a heavy forecheck team, and I think I can add onto that, just be physical, try and shoot the puck more."
Kappy - as he likes to be called - appears to be sliding into a Top-6 role for now. On Monday, he was practicing on a line with Pavel Buchnevich and Robert Thomas, an exciting opportunity for a player looking to find his footing.
"I've been in trade rumors for the last six years of my career, so it's something I'm pretty used to," he said. "Coming into this year, I thought it was going to happen… It happened, now I'm here and I couldn't be happier."