Maple Leafs' Kapanen on Phil Kessel: 'We're two different players and you really can't compare us'

He may be just 18 years old, but Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen is already expected to fill the void of two-time All-Star Phil Kessel.

Despite the pressure placed on the youngster's shoulders since he was acquired in the trade for Kessel, Kapanen insists that he and the former Leaf have varying styles of play.

"Phil Kessel is Phil Kessel and Kasperi Kapanen is Kasperi Kapanen," Kapanen told reporters Tuesday. "I'm gonna be as good as I can be and we'll see what happens after that. I think we're two different players and you really can't compare us."

Many of the expectations for Kapanen have come after Maple Leafs assistant general manager Kyle Dubas said that if Kapanen wasn't involved in the trade, it likely wouldn't have happened.

Dubas reiterated to reporters Tuesday that prospects won't be plugged into the lineup until the team feels confident they can remain with the club and contribute.

So it seems, at least for the time being, Kapanen doesn't need to try and pick up Phil Kessel's slack.