Pens trying to bring Kapanen to farm team

The Penguins are in the process of trying to bring top prospect Kasperi Kapanen to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton by the end of the week, General Manager Jim Rutherford said today.

Kapanen’s team in Finland finished it’s playoff run on Monday night. He scored 11 goals, 10 assists this year and added five more assists in the playoffs. 

“We followed him really close,” said Rutherford, who said the team is working with Kapanen’s agent. “His season has been very good and even got stronger during the playoffs.”

Rutherford declined to discuss where the Penguins ultimately see him fitting in with the NHL club, and if he is an option for the Penguins playoff roster.

For now it’s about getting him comfortable with the North American game. 

“That’s the first step,” said Rutherford. “We don’t know until we get him here. There’s a difference between playing there and in North America.”