Kasperi Kapanen Gets Candid About Playing in Toronto and Handling the Intense Media Pressure
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Edmonton Oilers forward Kasperi Kapanen revealed that playing in a high-pressure environment like Toronto was difficult, but it helped him prepare for the present.
The Edmonton Oilers are fighting for the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row, and a lot of that is due to the play of veteran Kasperi Kapanen, who has come out with five points in nine games, and showing flashes of the brilliance expected of him earlier in his career.
Kasperi Kapanen struggled early on with Toronto media
img
show_image_567658_5
show_image_567658_5
But it was early in his career where he faced the most critique and pressure, given that he was traded to Toronto as part of the Phil Kessel deal. Expected to be a huge part of the team's offense, he never really took off, and was dealt back to Pittsburgh a few years after.
Getting a chance now with Edmonton after being picked up off waivers earlier in the season, it's been a journey for Kapanen, who explained that the initial pressure got to him in Toronto; but it prepared him for what's coming now:
Media presence is big there and not always necessarily the best thing, but it does prepare you for the future. Coming to Edmonton, with it being in Canada, I was used to it. But I think you guys in Toronto, it's still on another level. - Kasperi Kapanen
Another level might be an understatement given that the team is consistently one of the most scrutinized teams in not only pro hockey, but in all of professional sports.
Is it really that bad though?
Toronto media are a cutthroat group; could scare away potential targets
It's nothing personal when it comes to the media in Toronto, even though it might seem that way. But when you're part of the biggest hockey market in the world, and one of the most decorated and successful teams in history; there's a certain expectation.
Whether that comes from the fan pressure on the media to get to the bottom of things, or expecting consistent success and a winning culture; look at the optics. It's been over five decades since the Leafs won the Cup; so many faces have come and gone.
The media can't solely be blamed for that stretch of failure, and while they play a part; they're the voice of the people and when people are frustrated and demand answers, they are thrust to the front lines to try and get the information.
But it does seem to give players pause about coming to Toronto, and while the team has brought in some premium names before; it feels like only a select few are able to weather that storm.
It's even harder to keep names too, as the constant pressure has driven several out of town including Mitch Marner; who might be the biggest loss in a long, long time.
To play in Toronto it takes a thick skin, and while it's not everyone's cup of tea, at least it'll prepare you for anything that comes your way.
That's gotta count for something right?
| POLL | ||
JUIN 7 | 403 ANSWERS Kasperi Kapanen Gets Candid About Playing in Toronto and Handling the Intense Media Pressure Do you think players avoid going to Toronto because of the media pressure? | ||
| Yes | 334 | 82.9 % |
| No | 69 | 17.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
