Kapanen shuts down Gene Principe's Oilers PP question

Kasperi Kapanen got asked Saturday if he likes playing on the Oilers' first power-play unit, and he wasn't shy about the answer.

Gene Principe put the question to him on television. Kapanen told Principe it was probably the dumbest question he's ever been asked by him.

His reasoning was simple. Everybody would want a spot on the power play next to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and that should be obvious.

It was delivered as a joke, but there's truth underneath it. Saying it on live TV on a Saturday, in front of everyone, took some nerve.

And honestly, he's right. The question was a softball, and Kapanen treated it like one.

Look at who he's lining up with. McDavid has 13 power-play assists through 14 games, and Draisaitl has 6 power-play goals.

Kapanen has done his part when he's been out there. He has 2 power-play goals and 2 power-play assists this season, in a spot that has rarely been his.

Why the first unit is a big opportunity for Kapanen

Over his NHL career, Kapanen has 7 power-play goals and 18 power-play assists in 582 games. Those totals show how rarely he has had a seat like this one.

His overall line is 4 goals and 3 assists for 7 points through 14 games, with a -4 rating. The power play is where he can change that quickly.

One of those goals is a short-handed one, so he's already contributing on special teams at both ends. That helps a winger who needs to keep his spot.

For the Oilers, the setup makes sense. McDavid has 37 points in 14 games, and Draisaitl has 26. Whoever stands next to them gets the best looks in the league.

Our Connor McDavid's 13-game assist streak coverage shows how much of that production already flows through the captain.

Nothing says the spot is permanent. The next few Oilers lineups will show whether Kapanen keeps the job.

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