The Penguins have signed forward Kasperi Kapanen to a new two-year deal for $6.4 million. The average annual value, $3.2 million, is same he earned on his most recent contract.
Frankly, in the wake of the greatest vanishing act since Houdini, I think it’s a bit of a gamble. Following a solid first season with the Pens in which he tallied a highly respectable 11 goals and 30 points in 40 games (an impressive 60-point pace over a full slate) Kappy literally fell off a cliff in 2021-22. Early season struggles morphed into total offensive stagnation and regression in the second half to the tune of a paltry two goals and six assists over his final 39 regular-season games.