What's Happenin' with Kapanen?

Hopefully the Penguins can start this new year and season off right by kicking the Flyers teeth in, but we'll get to that in a moment. The previous photo also depicts the set in stone divisional set up. 

So we have a start date, we have divisions ready, and we have the total number of games - what else do we need to know? Well, the NHL has been so kind as to lay it all out for yinz.

I may actually agree with Commissioner Gary Bettman for once, as this looks like the optimal layout to return to some semblance of normalcy in the future. If there is a way to start the 21/22 season on time and with fans filling the arenas, this critical dates calendar formula looks like the best way to accomplish that.

Back in September, Bettman told reporters "If there's an option to consider, believe me, we're considering it. It's conceivable that we start without fans, that we move to socially distant fans at some point and by some point in time maybe our buildings are open."

Great news! Well, Kind of.

I mean what more can you ask for in a pandemic, right? Bettman seems to have his head on straight for once and is thinking about what is best for the NHL's future. This is all good news!

Well, that depends on your fandom. 

As I've previously mentioned, this isn't just a Penguins problem - there are a lot of teams that are going to be negatively affected by this season. But here's why the Penguins are getting the short end of the hockey stick.

Kasperi Kapanen was the highlight acquisition for the Pens this offseason, returning to the Burgh' in a six player trade that also cost the team their first round pick in 2020. Kapanen was supposed to start this season skating alongside Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel on the Pens top line. However, unfortunate immigration issues stemming from Covid-19 are making things quite difficult. 

Hopefully Kapanen will only miss training camp and the opener against Philly. But at this point - that's the best case scenario. And even that is a tough pill to swallow for both parties.

A 56 game, four month season already means every team needs to be fighting for a playoff spot starting day one. Having your new first line winger stuck in his native home of Finland until his Visa gets worked out, and then having him quarantine for 7 days per NHL rule once he gets to the states, is not a great way to start the season.

Not only does Kapanen miss the short window to get in some time to gel with Sid and Jake during training camp, but the Pens will also need to throw a filler into the top line mix in the interim, likely disrupting additional lines. Right now, the best options look like either Brandon Tanev or Bryan Rust, consequently removing them from either the second or third line. 

Anyway you slice it, it leaves the Penguins starting this already uncertain season with just more of that: uncertainty. And that uncertainty will surely cost them in the long run.

We all know how GM Jim Rutherford likes to shake things up before the trade deadline, and he typically finds a way to acquire the missing pieces needed to propel the team into the playoffs. Now he only has three months of hockey before the trade deadline. Which is not a lot of time to see how well your new lines are flourishing - especially if Kapanen gets moved around like Phil Kessel did multiple times in his first season with the club.

Given how the Penguins usually start their season, the uncertainty with the first line, and the shake-up it could have within the other lines, this season may already seem like a wash. Again, you never know what will happen in the wide world of sports. The Browns made the playoffs, so 2021 is already starting off upside down. But with so many moving parts it's hard to imagine this team bringing home the Cup.

As previously mentioned I think low expectations are best for a Penguins fan this year. I will be cheering from my couch with an Iron City like always, but I won't be as critical given some of these challenging factors that are simply out there control.

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Luke Ranalli