Penguin sent center Evan Rodrigues, defenseman David Warsofsky, forward Phillip Hollander and his 2020 first-round draft pick (15th overall) to the Cape’s for Toronto, empowered KLL for Pontesburg and forward Jasper Lindgren.
Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutford said, “Casper is a good young player who accelerates our lineup and plays the way we want to play. We know him as a player and feel that he Could improve our top six. ” .
The Penguins picked Kapanen with the 22nd overall pick in 2014, before being traded to the July 2015 blockbuster Phil Kessel with the Leafs. Rutherford drafted Kapen’s father, Sami, in 1995 as the general manager of Harten Whalers.
“Super is obviously excited about it,” Keppen said. “This is where it all started for me, which is great.”
In four years with the Maple Leafs, Kapanan had 41 goals and 49 assists in 202 games. He hit the 20-goal mark for the first time in 2018-19. But he struggled in the NHL restart, as the Maple Leafs lost the qualifying-round series to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had just two assists in a five-match series.
“Puck wasn’t going for me,” Keppen said. “Overall, my game was iffy.”
The business gives Toronto some salary-cap flexibility. Rodrigues is a restricted free agent. Hollander is on his rookie deal through 2022, and Warsofsky is on a rookie deal through 2021. Kapanen makes $ 3.2 million against the salary cap through 2022.
The Penguins, who lost in the qualifying round, called for change after a disastrous elimination for the Montreal Canadiens. With Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin and Chris Letang all having a core of at least 33, the arrival of the Kepen gives the Penguins some new legs to work on as they try to keep the championship window open.
Called “a clear honor” to play alongside Krapen and Malkin, Kapen considers himself a two-way player who can help the Penguins on either end of the ice.
“Obviously, I like goal scoring a lot, which doesn’t,” Capen said. “I like to play and play with the puck, but at the same time I want to forecheck and get physical and get that guy in my face a little bit and knock you out of my game.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
.