What kind of numbers are you projecting for Kapanen this season?

Curious what you guys think he'll do this year.

[FearTheFlyers]

25-35-60

[The Seeker 25]

Originally Posted by Unthinkable

Curious what you guys think he'll do this year.

20-25-45

[fararden]

For Kapanen, a lot will depend on his linemates... Will he skate with Primeau and Brashear, or will he move up to top line with JR and Amonte... Either way he should see some PP time...

my guess is 23G / 27A = 50pts

[sinisalo]

12-20-32

[SouthFlyer82]

18 Goals and 60 points

[MojoJojo]

Originally Posted by SouthFlyer82

18 Goals and 60 points

I think 60 points is a huge stretch, even with PP time and playing with Amonte and Roenick (which he probably won't do the entire season). 50 is do-able if he has a good year, though this is probably still not realistic. I say 44 points with around 18-22 goals. He's a solid player, but I would put him in the same class as Williams and Somik; a potential 20 goal scoring winger with speed and is good defensively. Basically nothing special. His biggest contribution will be in helping Pitkanen acclimate to the NHL since Joni doesn't speak a word of english.

[Sampe]

Originally Posted by MojoJojo

I think 60 points is a huge stretch, even with PP time and playing with Amonte and Roenick (which he probably won't do the entire season). 50 is do-able if he has a good year, though this is probably still not realistic. I say 44 points with around 18-22 goals. He's a solid player, but I would put him in the same class as Williams and Somik; a potential 20 goal scoring winger with speed and is good defensively. Basically nothing special. His biggest contribution will be in helping Pitkanen acclimate to the NHL since Joni doesn't speak a word of english.

1997-98 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 81 26 37 63
1998-99 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 81 24 35 59
1999-00 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 76 24 24 48
2000-01 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 82 20 37 57
2001-02 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 77 27 42 69

60 points a huge stretch and 50 points still not realistic? Care to elaborate?

[blah]

He had 31 in 71 last year and he was given a lot of IT.

Roenick had 59 points last year leading the team. Hitch said Kap would be on the 3rd line w/ Prims and Brashear.

60 points does look like a reach for Kapanen at this point.

Appreciate all the good insight guys. Thanks.

[Steve L*]

Originally Posted by Sampe

1997-98 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 81 26 37 63
1998-99 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 81 24 35 59
1999-00 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 76 24 24 48
2000-01 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 82 20 37 57
2001-02 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 77 27 42 69

60 points a huge stretch and 50 points still not realistic? Care to elaborate?

His linemates are Brashear and Primeau, he will be going up against the top lines all season and Hitch said that line was set in stone. Thats why he will not repeat those numbers.

[Vincent Vega]

Originally Posted by Steve L

His linemates are Brashear and Primeau, he will be going up against the top lines all season and Hitch said that line was set in stone. Thats why he will not repeat those numbers.

So are the other two lines Amonte - Roenick - LeClair and Williams - Handzus - Gagne? If he is on the checking line I think he will put up 40 points.

[crackerzack]

Originally Posted by Steve L

His linemates are Brashear and Primeau, he will be going up against the top lines all season and Hitch said that line was set in stone. Thats why he will not repeat those numbers.

No line is set in stone.

[RoDu]

Originally Posted by crackerzack

No line is set in stone.

exactly, Hitchcock is known for his line juggling, I wish Somik would play with Primeau and Kapanen

[MojoJojo]

Originally Posted by Sampe

60 points a huge stretch and 50 points still not realistic? Care to elaborate?

Well for one thing he has never seemed to get back his scoring touch after wrist surgery. For another, last year he only scored 31, despite averaging almost 19 minutes a game with a lot of time on the top line and the power play.

[Steve L*]

Originally Posted by crackerzack

No line is set in stone.

Hitchcocks exact words were "set in stone"