The Pittsburgh Penguins used the 22nd pick in the 2014 Draft to select forward Kasperi Kapanen out of KalPa of the SM-liiga in Finland, and general manager Jim Rutherford suggests the soon-to-be 18-year-old could be on the NHL roster as early as October.
"We have to keep in mind that Kapanen could come in and make this team," he told the Post-Gazette. "He's played with men for two years. He's a good player."
Kapenen, who turns 18 on July 23, recorded seven goals and seven assists for last-place KalPa in 2013-14.
He was the top-rated European skater heading into the draft, and possesses the ability to play center or on the wing, a versatility that may serve him as well as he attempts to follow in father Sami's footsteps making the jump to the NHL.
