Edmonton Oilers winger Kasperi Kapanen is coming at this season with a whole new perspective.

In a recent interview with Finnish outlet Ilta-Sanomat, the 29-year-old opened up about the mental struggles he’s faced through his career and how he’s turned around his life over the last year with a new determination and focus. All quotes are translated from Finnish via Google Translate.

“My life has been in balance recently,” Kapanen said. “That has by no means always been the case.”

Kapanen is in his second year with the Oilers, highlighted so far by an overtime winner against the Golden Knights in last year’s playoffs to send the team to the Conference Finals. But overall, his career has been one of many ups and downs, marked by occasional periods of strong play overshadowed by periods of struggle. The first decade of his career was spent with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues, never finding a solid place. After the Blues waived him last November, he thought that might be it for his NHL career.

In addition to those struggles on the ice, Kapanen was facing other difficulties personally. In the summer of 2023, he received a fine for drunk driving. At the time he shared how alcohol was becoming problematic in his life, using it to deal with pressure, anger, and anxiety he faced on the ice.

Now over the past year, things have begun to turn around for Kapanen. After he was claimed by the Oilers last November, he got married this past summer. Now, he and his wife are expecting their first child in February. It’s all given him perspective on the importance of prioritizing his mental health and life outside hockey, something he didn’t do earlier in his career.

Coming into this season with a new perspective, Kapanen now has a healthier relationship with his hockey career that allows him to play more confidently.

“This fall I’ve felt positive and confident, and it shows right away. I now believe that I can still have a great final career in the NHL,” he said.

Currently sidelined with injury, he’s focused on his recovery to get back to the ice. But ultimately this season he has one major goal: representing his country at the Winter Olympics.

Grateful for the opportunity to challenge for a spot playing in Edmonton this season, he speaks highly of the city where he’s found peace for the first time in his career. And while his deal expires at the end of the season, he shared that he hopes to make his mark on the team so he can continue playing with the Oilers for years to come.