There have been few greater player stories around the Edmonton Oilers in recent years than that of Kasperi Kapanen.

Cast aside and thrown to the curb by the St. Louis Blues in Nov. 2024, the Oilers scooped him up on waivers, and it didn’t take long for him to prove his worth.

That didn’t happen in the regular season, however, as in the 2024-25 season, he had just five goals and 13 points in 57 games for the Oilers. But come the playoffs, Kapanen came up clutch with three goals and six points in 13 games, including a series-ending overtime goal against the Vegas Golden Knights.

It was a bit of a different story last year, but even though Kapanen scored eight goals and 17 points, he did so in just 41 games due to injury. That was a tough pill to swallow, as the winger dealt with two injuries, keeping him out for half the regular season. But just like in his first year, he showed up when the games mattered most. In Edmonton’s first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks, he led the team in goals, scoring four times, while finishing tied for third with six points, including a Game 1, game-winning goal. Don’t forget his series-clinching goal against the Vegas Golden Knights, either.

While the offensive production has been solid, so too has been his all-around play. He has speed to burn, doesn’t shy away from the physical side of the game, and most interestingly, his success with Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin. The latter is Kapanen’s most common linemate, with whom he’s played 459 minutes over the last two seasons, while Draisaitl is the second with 298 minutes. When healthy, the trio has been one of the Oilers’ best lines.

In 226 five-on-five minutes over the last two regular seasons, they’ve outscored the opposition 15-6 for a 71.4 per cent goal share, while controlling 54.5 per cent of the expected goal share, 52.7 per cent of the shot attempt share, and 56.3 per cent of the scoring chance share. There’s an element of luck playing in their favour, boosting the goal share, thanks to an 11.3 per cent shooting percentage and a .939 save percentage when on the ice together, but the underlying numbers suggest there’s legitimate upside, as HockeyViz pegs their ability to drive offence at a four per cent rate above league average, and their ability to drive defence at an 18 per cent rate above league average.

Come the playoffs, those numbers have gotten even better. In 88 five-on-five minutes, they’ve outscored the opposition 7-0, controlling 55.6 per cent of the shot attempt share, 61.3 per cent of the expected goal share, and 50.6 per cent of the scoring chance share.

The best ability is availability, and for Kapanen, his biggest knock last year was his injury. But given his track record of success, it makes sense for him to remain in the Oilers’ top six alongside Podkolzin and Draisaitl.

There will be competition, though. Isaac Howard is projected to make the roster, but doesn’t have a firm spot, while things could always change if Oilers head coach Mike Babcock decides to load up Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the top line.

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor and The Nation Network’s news director. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.