Kapanen out for Four Nations Tournament

Top Finnish prospect Kasperi Kapanen, an "A"-rated international skater on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary players to watch for the 2014 NHL Draft, will be sidelined the duration of the 2013 Under-20 Four Nations Tournament in Russia this weekend due to an illness.

Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting, confirmed the news for NHL.com.

"My guess is he'll return to his club lineup at some point next week," Stubb told NHL.com.

The three-day tournament, scheduled to begin Friday, will take place in Novogorsk, Russia.

Kapanen (6-foot, 180 pounds), a right wing, plays for Kalpa in SM-liiga and has scored twice in 15 games.

"Kasperi is at present the No. 1 European prospect," Stubb said. "He's a regular with Kalpa in the Finnish league. He's a sniper who, barring injury, will play for Finland at the 2014 World Junior Championship. He possesses excellent vision and has great skills … he's a star in the making."

Kapanen had eight points, including a team-leading five goals, for bronze medal-winning Finland at the 2013 World Championship in Sochi, Russia.

Follow Mike Morreale on Twitter at: @mikemorrealeNHL