GDT: 2024-25 other games around the league

[Star Platinum]

The goal is to get more young buy low talent to play for the Sharks and see if some of them can find success. I have some great memories of watching young Kakko play, so there is some bias involved.

Yes, Kakko hasn't lived up to his draft position yet... but I feel like he is a great change of scenery type of project.
He was playing great as an 17-18 year old playing against men, I believe he hasn't forgotten how to play if given a different platform. Maybe NYR wasn't the right fit. It happens.
Some achievements before he was drafted:

2018-2019

Finnish Youth Athlete of the Year Liiga Most Goals by Rookie (22) Liiga Most Points by U18 Junior (38) Liiga Rookie of the Year U20 WJC Gold Medal U20 WJC Scorer of the Championship Winning Goal World Championship Gold Medal World Championship Most Points by U18 Junior (7) World Championship Top 3 Player on Team

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Yes, sometimes the projected star players bust but at the right price I don't see a reason why not try him out. He is just 23 years old.

Thing is, all of those achievements are before he got drafted. I would expect him to have a list like that having been taken with the second pick of the draft.

The question that's worth asking if you think he was a bad fit in New York is why he was a bad fit because that gives you some idea of whether he'd be better here. The only two reasons that would indicate a possible increase in results here would be either 1) Too much pressure playing in New York or 2) Not enough opportunity to play in Top 6 with better linemates. I have no way of knowing if #1 is true, but for #2, he's either going to be a 3rd line wing same as he is in New York, or they're gonna move somebody out of the Top 6 to slot him in and quite honestly, I don't see that he's any better than the guys whose place he would take.

The best possible outcome I could see from a trade for him would be that we would have three lines that were a threat to score, which would probably mean we win more games and endanger the tank even more. But most importantly, it would require us using a pick that I would much rather be using to find another RHD with some size and competent passing so we can get the puck out of our own end faster so our young forwards can have the puck more often in the offensive zone.

I would imagine the Rangers want a player that can play coming in return more than they want a pick cause I doubt they want to do a teardown, but who do we have that we're willing to give up that would positively impact their team?

 

[Chinaski89]

I guess I’d be okay with it but we’d need to unload some guys if he was brought in. Like if Kunin or someone goes back, I think he could be interesting with Wennberg but I wouldn’t want to pay a lot.

Get him for Ferraro straight up.

 

[mogambomoroo]

Thing is, all of those achievements are before he got drafted. I would expect him to have a list like that having been taken with the second pick of the draft.

The question that's worth asking if you think he was a bad fit in New York is why he was a bad fit because that gives you some idea of whether he'd be better here. The only two reasons that would indicate a possible increase in results here would be either 1) Too much pressure playing in New York or 2) Not enough opportunity to play in Top 6 with better linemates. I have no way of knowing if #1 is true, but for #2, he's either going to be a 3rd line wing same as he is in New York, or they're gonna move somebody out of the Top 6 to slot him in and quite honestly, I don't see that he's any better than the guys whose place he would take.

The best possible outcome I could see from a trade for him would be that we would have three lines that were a threat to score, which would probably mean we win more games and endanger the tank even more. But most importantly, it would require us using a pick that I would much rather be using to find another RHD with some size and competent passing so we can get the puck out of our own end faster so our young forwards can have the puck more often in the offensive zone.

I would imagine the Rangers want a player that can play coming in return more than they want a pick cause I doubt they want to do a teardown, but who do we have that we're willing to give up that would positively impact their team?

I do agree with majority of you said and I would agree that we need a solid young RHD more than Kakko in the long run. I'm just very stubborn to believe Kakko is not the player he was drafted to be. I really believe there is something that needs to be unlocked with him. Also I may get some heat for this, but I think Kakko would be a better bet than Kovalenko in the long run.

I think my original point was more about the scenario that Kakko could explode offensively in the Sharks system with him given a bigger chance maybe even his playstyle elevates here. You could lock him with Celebrini and that's the true test if he can be 2nd overall caliber talent.

I trust in MG to make the right call on whatever way he goes involving Kakko.

One thing I don't necessary agree is about endangering the tank. Of course Sharks management and Sharks fans want the best pick possible in the '25 draft but I think the moment we landed Celebrini the intentional tanking part was over.

EDIT: I forgot to discuss the return for Kakko. I would start by offering them one of Sturm, Kunin + picks or Bordeleau/Gushchin + picks. If that doesn't work I would go so far as to offer Granlund, but Kaapo Kakko + multiple picks or prospects coming back.