Oliver Kapanen’s Breakout Season: From Fringe Prospect to Montreal’s Second-Line Sparkplug
The Montreal Canadiens entered the 2025-26 season riding high after a dramatic second-half surge the previous year that pushed them into the playoffs for the first time since 2021. That run, fueled by a post-4 Nations Face-Off turnaround, gave management a reason to double down. They went out and made big moves-trading for defenseman Noah Dobson and forward Zachary Bolduc-signaling their intent to shift from playoff hopefuls to legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
Still, even with those upgrades, one major question loomed as the puck dropped on the new season: Who’s going to center the Canadiens’ second line?
There was plenty of speculation-Sidney Crosby’s name even popped up in the rumor mill. Nazem Kadri and Robert Thomas were also floated as potential trade targets.
But as it turns out, the answer wasn’t outside the organization. It was Oliver Kapanen, a player who, not long ago, looked like he might not be part of the picture at all.
A Rocky Start, Then a Swedish Reset
Kapanen’s path to becoming a key piece in Montreal’s lineup wasn’t exactly smooth. After making the team out of training camp in 2024-25, the 2021 second-round pick struggled to find his footing.
In 12 games, he failed to make much of an impact and was loaned to Timrå IK in the SHL. That move turned out to be the reset he needed.
In Sweden, Kapanen rediscovered his game, racking up 15 goals and 35 points in just 36 games. He looked confident, composed, and like a player who had taken a real step forward. When his SHL season ended, he returned to Montreal for a late-season stint, but the production still didn’t follow-just two points in 18 NHL games to close out the year.
So when training camp rolled around ahead of this season, Kapanen wasn’t a lock. He was in a battle with the likes of Florian Xhekaj, Owen Beck, and Joshua Roy for one of the final forward spots.
But something clicked. Kapanen’s playmaking, awareness, and poise stood out.
He didn’t just earn a spot-he started turning heads.
From Long Shot to Line Driver
Kapanen wasted no time making an impact this season. He scored his first career NHL goal on opening night and followed it up with another the very next game.
Suddenly, the conversation shifted. This wasn’t just a player filling a roster spot-this was someone who might be able to anchor a key line.
He’s been skating alongside Ivan Demidov all season, and when Juraj Slafkovsky was added to that line, things really started to take off. The trio quickly became Montreal’s most consistent unit, bringing a balance of skill, size, and smarts that has made them a handful for opposing defenses.
Demidov, with his elite puck skills and offensive flair, has drawn most of the spotlight-and rightfully so. He’s a Calder Trophy frontrunner.
Slafkovsky, meanwhile, has taken a major leap, using his size and strength to dominate shifts and create space. But Kapanen has been the glue.
He’s not as flashy as his linemates, but he’s always in the right spot, making the right play. His hockey IQ and ability to read the game have elevated the line from good to great.
A Rookie Season to Remember
Through 57 games this season, Kapanen has 18 goals, tying him for the rookie lead. He’s added 13 assists for 31 points, placing him fourth among all rookies in scoring. Those numbers are impressive enough on their own, but when you consider where he was just a year ago-loaned out, struggling to produce, fighting for a roster spot-they become even more remarkable.
His rise hasn’t just caught the Canadiens’ attention. Kapanen also earned a spot on Team Finland’s roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
That’s no small feat for a player who entered the season with just 18 NHL games under his belt. It’s a testament to how far he’s come and how impactful he’s been.
Looking Ahead
There’s still a lot of hockey to be played, but Kapanen has already rewritten his story in Montreal. What started as a season full of uncertainty has turned into a breakout campaign that’s helping power the Canadiens’ playoff push. He’s gone from question mark to cornerstone-and he’s doing it with the kind of quiet confidence that every successful team needs down the middle.
If he keeps this up, the Canadiens may have found their second-line center of the future. And they didn’t need to make a blockbuster deal to get him.