Oliver Kapanen: between $5 million and $7 million per year on his next contract, according to Pierre McGuire

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Oliver Kapanen: between $5 million and $7 million per year on his next contract, according to Pierre McGuire
Credit: Getty Images

Oliver Kapanen is really enjoying his rookie season with the Habs. The Finn, who found himself at the center of the second line somewhat by default, leads all NHL rookies with his 16 goals this season.

And his 27 points in 46 games give him a fine offensive harvest overall.

In fact, there's reason to believe that Kapanen is benefiting quite a bit from playing with Ivan Demidov (and, for the past few weeks, with Juraj Slafkovský). That said, he's still a talented guy who, above all, knows where to place himself on the ice and is opportunistic.

It's worth remembering that Kapanen, like Demidov, will be eligible to sign a contract extension this summer. And on Tony Marinaro's Sick Podcast, Pierre McGuire was asked to predict Kapanen's annual salary on his next contract.

And according to him, we're talking about a contract that will pay him “between $5 and $7 million” per year.

We know Kapanen's a guy who's found a way to make himself useful (and not just offensively this season), but there's still some data to suggest he's playing a little over his head at the moment. And in fact, such a contract would mean that the Habs believe he's capable of maintaining that level of play over the long term.

In an NHL with a skyrocketing salary cap, that's a more digestible annual salary. But in reality, it would be a lot of money for a guy who could very well be just a third center when the Habs come of age.

That said, it's important to remember that the Habs don't have to offer Kapanen a new contract this summer. Alternatively, they may decide to let him play out the final year of his entry-level contract to see if he can maintain this caliber over the longer term.

Should the Habs acquire a second center in the meantime (and Michael Hage eventually join that group), patience may be the Habs' strategy. But clearly, this will be an interesting issue to watch this summer.


In Overtime

– Injury: Brayden Point avoided the worst, but he's not guaranteed to be back in time for the Olympics.

– Well done.

– Listen now.

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