Story Summary
Kasperi Kapanen has produced the fastest maximum skating speed recorded by an NHL forward this season, reaching 24.05 mph in Edmonton’s 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on 10 October. The Oilers right wing’s mark is second among all NHL skaters this season, behind only St. Louis Blues defenceman Philip Broberg’s 24.26 mph burst.
Kapanen’s pace has been a prominent feature of Edmonton’s 8-2-2 start. He has nine bursts above 22 mph, tied for fourth in the League with New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer. Only Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Roslovic have recorded more.
The 30-year-old has five points, including three goals, in 12 games. His speed is not merely a tracking-stat curiosity: teammates see it as a difficult element for defenders to manage because he can accelerate quickly, chase loose pucks and maintain enough strength to stay involved once he reaches them.
Key Facts
- Kasperi Kapanen reached 24.05 mph in Edmonton’s 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on 10 October, the fastest maximum skating speed by an NHL forward this season.
- Only St. Louis Blues defenceman Philip Broberg has recorded a faster top burst this season, reaching 24.26 mph in a 5-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on 17 October.
- Kapanen’s 24.05 mph mark is the fastest by an NHL forward since Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon reached 24.78 mph in a 3-2 loss to the Blues on 5 April last season.
- Kapanen has nine skating bursts over 22 mph this season, tying New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer for fourth in the NHL.
- Connor McDavid leads the NHL with 26 bursts over 22 mph, followed by Nathan MacKinnon with 24 and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Jack Roslovic with 10.
- Kapanen has recorded three goals and two assists in 12 games for Edmonton this season.
- Kapanen had 17 points in 41 games last season after a lower-body injury affected his skating, then added six points in six Stanley Cup Playoff games.
- The Oilers are 8-2-2 this season and are scheduled to host the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place on Wednesday.
IHM Discussion
The standout number places Kapanen in unusual company, but the more meaningful part of the story is how that speed appears on the ice. He has recorded most of his fastest bursts up the right wing, where the threat of an outside drive forces a defenceman to make an early decision. Give Kapanen room and he can reach the puck first; step too aggressively towards him and the defender has less margin for error once the race begins.
Jason Dickinson’s description of Kapanen getting going “out of the gate” helps explain why his skating can be more disruptive than a simple top-speed ranking suggests. Straight-line pace matters, but quick initial steps make a player dangerous on pucks that seem available to both sides. Dickinson also highlighted Kapanen’s strength, which means catching him does not necessarily end the play.
Kapanen has spoken candidly about the difference between skating quickly without the puck and handling it at speed. His admiration for McDavid centres on that second skill: making plays while travelling at full pace. Kapanen is not claiming to replicate McDavid’s game, but playing alongside him has encouraged him to keep working on an attribute that has long been a strength.
Last season’s lower-body injury affected Kapanen’s skating before he returned to normal by the end of the campaign. He then supplied four goals and two assists in six playoff games, despite Edmonton’s first-round elimination by Anaheim. His current tracking figures, coupled with his early production, show a player whose most recognisable physical asset is again fully evident.
Why It Matters
Edmonton already have one of hockey’s most feared transition players in McDavid, and Kapanen’s speed gives the club another forward capable of turning a loose puck or a wide-lane opportunity into immediate pressure. That does not make the two players interchangeable. McDavid’s rare ability to retain possession and create at top speed remains distinctive, as Kapanen himself acknowledged.
Kapanen can nevertheless complement an attack built around tempo. His pace on the right side can stretch coverage, create a direct option on rushes and make defenders wary of backing off. His three goals and five points are a modest early return over 12 games, but the underlying skating detail gives context to why Edmonton value his role.
For Kapanen personally, the numbers offer a clear indication of how far he has come since a season in which injury affected his movement. He said the extended summer gave him time to rest, train and reset with family after Edmonton’s earlier-than-wanted finish. He has described his game this season as more consistent and simpler, while still wanting to score more often.
Mini Q&A
How fast did Kasperi Kapanen skate for the Oilers?
Kapanen reached 24.05 mph in Edmonton’s 3-1 win against San Jose on 10 October, the fastest maximum skating speed by an NHL forward this season.
Where does Kapanen rank in NHL bursts above 22 mph?
His nine bursts over 22 mph are tied for fourth in the NHL with Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer, behind McDavid, MacKinnon and Roslovic.
What has Kapanen produced for Edmonton this season?
Kapanen has three goals and two assists in 12 games as the Oilers have opened the season with an 8-2-2 record.
Coach Mark Comment
A right winger who can win the outside lane changes the feel of an ordinary dumped puck. Dickinson’s point about Kapanen’s first few strides is the telling one: defenders do not get the comfortable moment to turn, judge the bounce and lean into a race.
Kapanen still wants more goals, but the speed gives him a repeatable way to create those chances. If he keeps arriving first along that right wall, the puck will spend more time in places where Edmonton’s forwards can make something of it.
What Comes Next
Kapanen and the Oilers are scheduled to host the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place on Wednesday, providing his next opportunity to build on Edmonton’s 8-2-2 start.
IHM Final View
Kapanen’s 24.05 mph burst is an eye-catching individual marker, yet it also reinforces a practical Edmonton strength. He brings genuine separation speed from the right wing, a rapid first step and the strength to stay in plays after reaching the puck. With five points in 12 games and a healthier skating base than he had for part of last season, Kapanen has made a useful early contribution to the Oilers’ strong opening.