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Just do it: Stars' Kapanen making move
Jere Lehtinen recited the important ways that Niko Kapanen has changed from training camp last season.
Kapanen is a year older now, Lehtinen said. He has more confidence in his second Stars training camp after arriving from Finland. The system, American culture and his teammates are no longer mysteries waiting to be deciphered.
A little later, Lehtinen summed up all the differences into one description.
"He's just playing now instead of having to think," Lehtinen said.
Even though Kapanen made the Stars last season and played nine games before being sent down to Utah, he wasn't greeted in training camp with the hype reserved for other prospects.
All he's done since is lead the Stars in scoring during the preseason with a goal and six points in five games. He's pushing to make the roster again. And Kapanen has caught the attention of coach Dave Tippett.
If fellow prospect Steve Ott brings energy and attitude, Kapanen provides skill and speed that has gained importance with the league's obstruction crackdown.
"He's come in with something to prove," Tippett said. "I think he feels more comfortable here this year, the whole surroundings and language and just knowing everybody coming in is a good thing. Early on, there's an onus on skill in the game and he certainly brings that element. He's not a big guy but he plays very smart."
While most young players might have viewed a demotion to the minors as a setback, Kapanen says the Stars' decision last season was the best thing that could have happened.
"I really didn't know how I was supposed to play the system here," Kapanen said. "I think it was pretty good they sent me down. I learned the game. I think I'm more ready to play in the NHL."
Despite an impressive training camp, he was still adjusting to the smaller North American ice and to culture shock.
Because the Stars had three other Finns in Lehtinen, Sami Helenius and Jyrki Lumme, Kapanen relied on speaking Finnish much of the time.
"When they were sent me to Salt Lake City and there were no Finnish players, I learned a lot of English," Kapanen said. "I came here this year and I knew almost everything, what I have do and how I have to play."
Now, when he's out with Helenius and Lehtinen in a restaurant, the two veterans make Kapanen answer all the questions – in English.
Instead of playing five to 10 minutes in Dallas, he played close to 20 minutes in Utah, registering 13 goals and 41 points in 59 games.
With the Stars this season, Kapanen's confidence has translated into a dangerous forward presence. He scored the tying goal in an eventual 4-3 overtime win over Washington.
While 5-9 and 180 pounds, Kapanen has used his quickness to avoid larger defenders and make plays. The Stars wonder if he can play center on a fourth line, with Manny Malhotra on the left wing.
"Size can be overrated at times but if you use your size smartly, it's not a deficiency," Tippett said. "Right now he's doing that."
By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News
10/02/2002