Connor McDavid won a lot of hardware at the NHL Awards, but the Stanley Cup continues to elude him. When the Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Kasperi Kapanen 22nd overall in the 2014 NHL Draft, there was high hopes he’d be able to blossom into a solid offensive talent. Kapanen’s first tenure with the Penguins didn’t last long as they traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs just over a year later, but he eventually made his way back to Pittsburgh. Things continued to look promising in the 2020-21 season when Kapanen put up 30 points (11G-19A) in 40 games played. The two seasons that followed, however, were not only a struggle on the ice for Kapanen, but a struggle mentally. After a disappointing 2021-22 season and even more disappointing start to the 2022-23 campaign, the Penguins dropped Kapanen on waivers. The St. Louis Blues claimed him and may have reignited something in the second generation NHLer. In a player feature done by the NHLPA, [https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-22513/kasperi-kapanen-reignites-his-passion-for-the-game-in-st-louis] Kapanen said joining the Blues made him find his passion for the game again. “I think I just caught that passion for hockey. Last year, it was a bit of a struggle before coming to St. Louis. Mentally, I think it was a struggle. Once I got to St. Louis, I caught that fire again, the passion for playing.” During his time in St. Louis, Kapanen has risen to the occasion and will likely play a huge role in the Blues’ 2023-24 season. In his final 23 games of the 2022-23 season, he scored 14 points (8G-6A); but more importantly he feels like the Blues are a perfect fit for him. Kapanen has already been given more opportunity with the Blues and has the chance to be an important piece in their process back to the postseason. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Drew O'Connor Arbitration Opens New Buyout Window for Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/drew-oconnor-arbitration-opens-buyout-window-pittsburgh-penguins] Penguins' Drew O'Connor Files for Salary Arbitration [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-drew-oconnor-salary-arbitration] Who Is Safe on the Penguins Defense? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/who-safe-pittsburgh-penguins-defense] Can the Penguins Afford Erik Karlsson? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/can-pittsburgh-penguins-afford-erik-karlsson] What Remains on the Penguins Offseason Checklist? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/remains-pittsburgh-penguins-offseason-checklist] * undefined * undefined
