Career
Before playing in the NHL, Kapanen played two seasons with Tappara of the Liiga. He had a successful time with Tappara. He was awarded the Jarmo Wasama Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, the Jari Kurri Trophy most valuable player of the playoffs, and was named Finnish Player of the Year in 2016. He helped Tappara during the playoffs. They defeated Lukko and Oulun Kärpät. They went on to defeat the HIFK four games to two in the Final to win the Kanada-malja.
He was drafted 2nd overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016 NHL entry draft. On 3 July 2016, Kapanen signed a three-year, $10.725 million entry-level contract to join the Canadiens.
On 13 October 2016, Kapanen made his NHL debut in a 5–4 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes. During the game, he scored his first NHL goal on the powerplay against Cam Ward and also recorded his first NHL assist on a Josh Anderson goal. Three days later on 19 October, he recorded his first NHL hat-trick in a 5–2 loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs. On 27 September 2019, Laine agreed to a two-year, $13.5 million contract to stay with the Jets.
On 23 January 2021, the Jets traded Laine along with Jack Roslovic to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois and a 2022 third-round draft pick. On 28 June, Laine signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract to stay with the Blue Jackets. On 22 July 2022, Laine signed a four-year, $34.8 million contract to stay with the Blue Jackets.
On 19 August 2024, the Blue Jackets traded Laine along with a 2026 second-round draft pick to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Jordan Harris. On 22 December, the league named him as the Third Star of the Week.
.jpg)
Finland