Kapanen's game has really grown in the AHL -- he delivered at a point-per-game pace in 43 contests for the AHL Toronto Marlies in 2016-17. There, he developed a much stronger two-way game and even earned time on the penalty kill. Kapanen's future with the Leafs is somewhat cloudy, though. He profiles as an excellent two-way right winger in the bottom six, but the Leafs are flush with right wingers. Couple that with his flexibility -- he can go back and forth between the AHL and NHL without passing through waivers -- and that means he'll likely break camp with the Marlies. Kapanen will be an injury recall for the Leafs, but that isn't enough to roster him this season.

Kapanen was the centerpiece of the Phil Kessel trade, but does that make him a future stud? Scouts are torn. Some see him as a smooth-skating, high-skill winger with strong hockey sense who scores goals at will. Others wonder if his size (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) will prevent him from truly exceling and that his ultimate upside is in the top-nine of a strong team. His defensive game needs help, but that’s nothing new for many teenage players. And he needs time to thicken his body before we truly see where he’ll fit into the Leafs’ overall structure. Leafs fans love him, but we’re more realistic. We like him and hope he can become the scorer he was projected to be when the Pens drafted him in the first round. He’ll grow his game in the minors this season, and we’ll reassess next year.

Kapanen makes for a strong pickup in keeper leagues. The Penguins have stated that the son of former NHLer Sami Kapanen will get a long look at training camp to make the team. He certainly impressed scouts during this summer’s rookie camp with his combination of vision and speed. Still, it's unlikely the 18-year-old makes much of a fantasy impact in 2014-15. He suited up against older players -- including his father -- for KalPa in Finland last season and scored seven goals and 14 points in 47 games. Taken 22nd overall by Pittsburgh as one of the best European prospects on the board, Kapanen will have to really impress management to crack the squad this season. Even if he doesn't, however, his future as one of Pittsburgh's few elite forward prospects is bright.