Kasperi Kapanen Is Giving Oilers Fans Reason for Optimism

The Edmonton Oilers entered training camp with plenty of questions surrounding their forward group, and one of them involved where Kasperi Kapanen would fit into the lineup.

Following the Oilers’ preseason play, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see a scenario where the veteran winger isn’t playing an important role when the regular season begins. Kapanen finished exhibition play on a strong note Saturday night, recording a goal and an assist in Edmonton’s 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames.

Kapanen Finishes Preseason on High Note

Kapanen’s performance against the Flames was exactly what the Oilers would have wanted to see from a player competing for a more prominent role. He was noticeable throughout the game, contributed offensively and showed that he can provide some depth scoring for an Edmonton team that will need production beyond its biggest stars.

The 30-year-old finished the preseason with two points in the two games he dressed, while the Oilers went a perfect 4-0-0 during exhibition play. Preseason numbers obviously don’t carry much weight once the games start counting, but Kapanen has put himself in a very strong position under a new head coach in Mike Babcock to start the 2026-27 season off in a prominent role.

Also boding well for Kapanen was that when healthy, he was a strong contributor in 2025-26. While limited to just 41 regular season games, he chipped in with a steady eight goals and 17 points. He was even better in the playoffs, scoring four goals and six points in six outings. Based on what we saw from him during his limited preseason action, he may be ready to pick up right where he left off.

One of the more interesting aspects of Saturday’s game was Kapanen getting an opportunity alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman. Playing with two established NHL forwards gave him a chance to show what he can do in a more prominent role, and he took advantage of the opportunity.

Oilers Need More from Their Depth

The Oilers don’t need to be reminded how important their depth can be. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will continue to drive Edmonton’s offence, but the team cannot expect its stars to carry the entire offensive load every night.

That makes players like Kapanen particularly important. If he can provide consistent offence while remaining responsible away from the puck, he gives Babcock another option when putting together his forward lines and could potentially allow Edmonton to spread its scoring throughout the lineup.

Kapanen’s ability to play up and down the lineup could also make him valuable over the course of an 82-game season. Injuries and slumps are inevitable, and having a player capable of moving into a bigger role without completely changing the team’s identity is something every contender needs.

Positive End to Training Camp

Kapanen wasn’t the only reason for optimism coming out of Saturday’s game, as Edmonton allowed just one goal and finished the preseason with only five goals against in four games. While preseason results should never be taken as proof that a team’s problems have suddenly disappeared, the defensive performance was still an encouraging way for the Oilers to close out camp.

Kapanen’s performance fits nicely into that larger picture because he wasn’t simply producing offensively. He was part of an Edmonton lineup that looked increasingly comfortable as the preseason progressed, and he gave the coaching staff another reason to consider him for a larger role.

The regular season will obviously be a different challenge, and Kapanen will need to prove that he can translate his preseason success into meaningful production when the games count. Still, he has done everything he could have asked for during training camp.

Kapenen Could Be Massive Piece for Oilers

The biggest question now is how much responsibility Babcock is willing to give him when the Oilers open the regular season. Kapanen may not begin the year in a top-six role, but his preseason performance has made it harder to overlook him when considering Edmonton’s options throughout the lineup.

For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, having another forward capable of stepping into a bigger role is a positive development. Kapanen has put himself in that conversation, and if he can carry his preseason momentum into the regular season, he could wind up playing a much bigger role for this team than any would have imagined.