Report: Kapanen to Retire From NHL

610 WIP's Glen Macnow is reporting that Flyers winger Sami Kapanen is retiring from the NHL to play in his native Finland. Kapanen has spent the last five of his 12 NHL seasons in Philly, most recently as a versatile fourth liner. He has a lot of fans in Philly, but he'll probably enjoy playing a different role and likely some more minutes back home. In his Flyers career, he tallied 44 goals 66 assists in 311 games.

Kapanen's departure frees up a little over a million toward next year's salary cap, which will prove helpful with the Flyers trying to re-sign several players in line for big raises, and a few from the market.

Best of luck to a hard-nosed and skilled player who did everything that was asked of him, and never mailed it in.

Comments

[rosco]

unfortunately, my most vivid memory of sami was when he got destroyed by darcy tucker.

[Walklett]

Never had a problem with Kap. A few more goals here and there would've been nice, but he played his ass off every night.

Remember when Darcy Tucker crushed him into the boards against the Leafs in the playoffs? And still he tried to get up, multiple times, to skate back to the bench for a line change. That's the kind of stuff I remember about Sami, tough as nails, never quit on a play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_aq3WlwPJM

[GreggyD]

I have enjoyed having Kapanen on this roster. I wanted him to get the "C" this past summer. I remember in the playoffs a few years back when he willingly shifted to defense because the Flyers were short at the position.

He was a grind-it-out, hard-nosed player and his minutes on the ice for the Flyers is greatly appreciated from this fan. I'm sure Finland will suit him much better though.

[GreggyD]

I have enjoyed having Kapanen on this roster. I wanted him to get the "C" this past summer. I remember in the playoffs a few years back when he willingly shifted to defense because the Flyers were short at the position.

He was a grind-it-out, hard-nosed player and his minutes on the ice for the Flyers is greatly appreciated from this fan. I'm sure Finland will suit him much better though.

[Alex F.]

I remember Kapanen getting destroyed by Tucker too, but what sticks out in my mind about that hit is that even though he didn't know which way was up, he managed to get himself back to the bench so that the play could go on, and five seconds later Roenick scored the OT winner.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=06o2395RUyM

Any guy with his kind of skating ability, two-way presence, and willingness to step into any role the team asks is a solid player in my book. It's been great to have him in orange and black the last few years.

[Chamomiles Davis]

How do you say "Boo" in Finnish?

My guess is it's probably spelled, "Bboooo." Those Finns, they love the extra letters.

[johndewar]

You had to like Sami Kapanen. Hustled all the time. Added speed to a Flyer lineup, that, when we first got him, could charitably described as lumbering.

Good soldier and always showed up to play.

Now, we need another Finn to take his spot....

[TC]

I'll miss Sami. Loved the way he played--as said by Keith Primeau during World War II, guts beats skills, every time. And Sami embodied that.

I'll always remember him like this:

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2005/9/16johnston.html

[MikeY]

I always liked Kapanen. I remember when I 1st heard we got him from Carolina, I was so excited because I thought he would fit right in on this team and contribute.

Best of Luck in Finland Sami.

[Sanganoski]

One day, in the "realm" of the land known as the "Enachel", King Bettman sent "foot soldiers" to the village blacksmith and by "official decree" from the King, they destroyed the mold that "tempered" a final product with the "tenacity" and "longevity" of the "SamiKap 1" lest this "design" would create a "rebellion amongst the peasants" and call for the King to "rebuke" all the "new laws" imposed by he and his "court" and allow the kingdom to return to the "regalcy" it once held when viewed by the other "domains" that reside along the shores of the "Sea of Sport".But alas, the peasants were, if only for a moment, treated to the exposure of the "SamiKap 1" and will surely "take quill in hand" and document their experiences to be passed on for generations so that this "folklore legend" can reside as a "burr under the saddle" of King Bettman and his Court!

[Loqiel]

Easily one of my favorite Flyers. We'll miss him to be sure.

[TH]

Dude was a warrior in the '04 postseason. Godspeed, Sami. Even as you return to Finland, you'll always be a Philly guy to me.

[digi]

Now that he's gone, only one player remains on the roster from that '04 run...

and he's got issues with his noggin.

Isn't it weird that just four years ago... the Flyers had an entirely different team? Hell, the Red Wings are looking to win their fourth cup in 11 years with 5 of the same players.

Now all we have to do is trade Umberger to rid our team of embarrassing crushing check hi-lights that are played by opposing teams.

[Diablo]

I believe Clarkey said it best... "We take the shortest route to the puck and arrive in ill humor." That was Kapanen. He will be missed. Go Suomi!

[tom]

my only regret was that I held out this long on getting a kapanen jersey. the hit in toronto completely overshadowed his '04 gutsy shift to defenseman (something I wished they'd have considered this year), something I'll never forget. the guy played like he was the size of keith primeau, and had all the heart you could ever ask for. here's to hoping he rubbed off on richards, carter, etc because he's really going to be missed.

[MPR529]

Good luck, brutha!

[Ed]

Good luck Sami. Thanks for everything and you will be sorely missed here in Philly.

[jivfly]

Sure, he got destroyed by Tucker, but he didn't stay down and (eventually) found his way to the bench, letting JR rip one in. I can't believe Sami and Gagne are the last two Flyers from just a couple of years ago, and now Sami's gone. He wasn't as fast as he used to be, but he always hustled, scored us some game-winning goals, and played some solid defense for us when we needed the help. Ranks up there with our checking line greats of Shjon Podein and Ranheim/Manderville/Hull. Never thought we could like a little Finnish guy so much. He'll be missed.