Maple Leafs trade Kapanen to Penguins, change begins for both teams

Anthony Scultore |

Aug 25, 2020

We knew changes were coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Pittsburg Penguins. Today, the Maple Leafs trade Kapanen to the Penguins to clear cap space for future moves.

Rumblings this morning the Leafs and Penguins are working on a trade that would send Kasperi Kapanen to Pittsburgh.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 25, 2020

Maple Leafs trade Kapanen

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded two-way forward Kasperi Kapanen and prospects to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a first round pick and prospects.

The move clears $3.2 million in cap space which was the main objective for Kyle Dubas this summer. The Leafs need to create more room in order to rework their defense and possibly improve their goaltending situation.

Details for Penguins:
RW Kasperi Kapanen
D Jesper Lindgren
LW Pontus Aberg

Maples Leafs getting:
2020 Rd 1 pick (15 overall)
LW Evan Rodrigues
C Filip Hallander
D David Warsofsky#Pens | @TheAthleticPGH | @TheAthleticNHL

please forgive any type
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) August 25, 2020

Penguins get grittier

maple leafs trade kapanen — Penguins acquire Kapanen (Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

For the Penguins, they add a young and gritty forward in Kapanen to their team. The 24 year-old plays a great game on both sides of the puck and is a threat shorthanded.

Pens GM, Jim Rutherford also said that he will be trading one of his two goalies, so more moves are coming.