Speculation: 2024-25 - Free Agency/Trade Thread

[tomd]

Kakko's QO this off-season is $2.4 million. That might have been a little rich for Verbeek.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Probably not if he went that low and we recently traded with this team to get Trouba. Or maybe we were but Verbeek came to his senses about the kid's value.

Maybe Trouba was asked about kakko, and didn’t have glowing remarks about him.

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

Maybe Trouba was asked about kakko, and didn’t have glowing remarks about him.

They got back a 6’3” rhd, which they needed to address after Trouba. Adding another LHW probably wasn’t ideal w/ giving up assets to attain as well.

Edit : and I was pro trading for him

 

[cheesymc]

Common Beeker? You couldn’t match a UFA and mid rounder for a dice roll on Kaako? What a cheap Charlie…

 

[mightyquack]

Can't believe we missed out on a soon to be 24 year old who averages 15 goals a season despite playing on one of the better NHL teams the last few years (until this season at least).

 

[robbieboy3686]

They got back a 6’3” rhd, which they needed to address after Trouba. Adding another LHW probably wasn’t ideal w/ giving up assets to attain as well.

Edit : and I was pro trading for him

We could have sent them helleson(we have luneau ready next season to make the jump). Again, it’s possible that Trouba didn’t speak highly of kakko. We just don’t know. Or maybe they didn’t want helleson .

 

[TheDarkWingThatDucks]

We could have sent them helleson(we have luneau ready next season to make the jump). Again, it’s possible that Trouba didn’t speak highly of kakko. We just don’t know. Or maybe they didn’t want helleson .

Yes he very well could have spoke poorly of him, but really RHD is probably our weakest spot organizationally, obviously the RHW a close second. Trading one of our few prospects for a LHW (who plays RW) isn’t probably the best asset management. And like I said I was definitely pro trading for him.

 

[AngelDuck]

I just don’t get the infatuation with Kakko. He’s a borderline bust in my eyes at this point.

 

[mightyquack]

I just don’t get the infatuation with Kakko. He’s a borderline bust in my eyes at this point.

I don't think there's anything borderline about it, he's 100% a bust at this point.

Former 2nd overall pick, about to turn 24 years old and has had one season looking like a competent NHL forward (out of 5.5 seasons so far) despite playing on a very good NHL team for all but one of those seasons.

If he wasn't a former 2nd overall pick, he would pass through waivers.

 

[HanSolo]

I just don’t get the infatuation with Kakko. He’s a borderline bust in my eyes at this point.

Yeah I have no irritation that we didn't beat that deal whatsoever. If he was this mediocre on the Rangers, I can't see how he would possibly turn it around under this coach. But I knew the gripes were coming.

 

[The Midnight Burrito]

Kakko plays like he’s already a Duck, disappointing and bitchy, so maybe we should have traded for him.

 

[JabbaJabba]

I don't think there's anything borderline about it, he's 100% a bust at this point.

Former 2nd overall pick, about to turn 24 years old and has had one season looking like a competent NHL forward (out of 5.5 seasons so far) despite playing on a very good NHL team for all but one of those seasons.

If he wasn't a former 2nd overall pick, he would pass through waivers.

Kakko has been a solid defensive forward for seasons and he has been producing well on ES while not getting any significant PP time (the 2nd unit on Rangers doesn't get any real time). Seems like you are just stat watching.

Was he worth the 2nd pick? No. Is he a bust? No.

 

[mightyquack]

Kakko has been a solid defensive forward for seasons and he has been producing well on ES while not getting any significant PP time (the 2nd unit on Rangers doesn't get any real time). Seems like you are just stat watching.

I don't watch that many Rangers games, but I've seen enough to see he's a mediocre NHL forward and have never come away impressed watching him and the stats back that up over the years. Given there isn't enough time in the day to watch every single game Kakko plays along with having a functioning life, there is an element of stat watching in regard to every player that isn't playing on your team.

And for a guy who supposedly produces well at even strength....the ESP/60 isn't exactly stellar.

Kakko's ESP/60 since his career started:

19/20: 0.756 (414th)
20/21: 1.341 (313th)
21/22: 1.622 (263rd)
22/23: 1.937 (166th)
23/24: 1.458 (285th)
24/25: 1.952 (135th)

And for being a 'solid defensive forward' he's somehow lodged just 57 minutes of SH time since his career begun in 2019 (averaging 10 seconds per game).

Kakko is a dime a dozen player at the NHL level at this point. Nothing special. Maybe he turns it around out of nowhere in Seattle, guess we'll have to see.

2nd overall pick producing at that level is a bust for me.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

He's definitely a bust relative to a 2nd overall picks expectations. I kind of still find him an interesting player, and can still see him finding a bit of a breakout in a different situation. I wouldn't have been bothered if we beat that offer, but it's not one to get all worked up over either. If management only wants more established vets to play with the abundance of youth we already have, I get it.