Kapanen owns benching for being late to practice: 'Just an honest mistake'

Kasperi Kapanen is taking full responsibility for his behavior.

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward was a healthy scratch for Saturday's contest against the Ottawa Senators because he overslept Friday and was late for practice.

"It's not me not caring," Kapanen said Monday, according to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel. "It's just an honest mistake and it happens. I just gotta own up to it."

Kapanen admitted this wasn't the first time he's been late for practice, while head coach Sheldon Keefe declined to go into detail other than saying the 23-year-old's poor habit needs to be addressed.

"I don't think that's important or necessary," Keefe said, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton. "I also don't think it's necessary to make this a bigger deal than it needs to be. It was very innocent. It just gets to a point where you have to respond."

Kapanen has recorded 10 goals and 28 points through 51 games this season. He had yet to miss a contest in 2019-20 until Saturday's benching.

The Finnish winger will be back in Toronto's lineup for Monday's game against the Florida Panthers.

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