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

​

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.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Incredibly glad not to be a Rangers fan right now... vibes with that team are ten times as bad as that awful 2014-2015 Sharks season.

 

[Levie]

Incredibly glad not to be a Rangers fan right now... vibes with that team are ten times as bad as that awful 2014-2015 Sharks season.

You know it's bad when their fans just want to trade Kakko to give him a chance to succeed somewhere else.

 

[Juxtaposer]

You know it's bad when their fans just want to trade Kakko to give him a chance to succeed somewhere else.

The Kakko quote from this morning are Spicy. Not quite Joe Thornton-Doug Wilson yet, but the Kakko situation isn't even the worst part of that organization.

 

[coooldude]

The Kakko quote from this morning are Spicy. Not quite Joe Thornton-Doug Wilson yet, but the Kakko situation isn't even the worst part of that organization.

Couldn't find the quote, is there a thread?

 

[Shark Finn]

Couldn't find the quote, is there a thread?

There's quite a bit of talk going on at the Rangers board.

Kakko was scratched and he apparently said something along the lines that "it's easier to scratch younger guys", taking a jab at Laviolette, while guys like Kreider and Zibanejad do very little on 5v5.

There was a chart showing the 5v5 stats for the three and Kakko's numbers seemed a quite bit better.

 

[hohosaregood]

Couldn't find the quote, is there a thread?

I'd love to trade for Kakko right now. Like Kunin+Gushchin+3rd or something. I honestly don't know his value to the Rangers but they owe us for Goodrow.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Drury absolutely owes us for Goodrow. Toss us Kakko for a 4th or something.

 

[Jargon]

I mean if they need leaders… Kunin and a 4th for Kakko, voila.

Kakko could use a Granlund in his life.

 

[vortexy]

Grier should know Kakko fairly well considering his time with the Rangers. If he does actually believe in the kid I bet he gets a deal done if the price is reasonable. I would definitely try to give them Kunin or Sturm plus a 3rd or 4th. Heck I would even do Ferraro for Kakko straight up. But again maybe Grier doesn’t even value him at all, but this definitely seems like a great buy low target on a guy that is still very young and could be a piece for our future core. It’s a risk/gamble that I would take personally.

 

[Pavelski2112]

Kakko is absolutely a gamble that Grier should try to buy low on

Do it Mike

 

[Star Platinum]

Kakko is absolutely a gamble that Grier should try to buy low on

Do it Mike

I seriously doubt the Rangers are gonna move him for any of the suggested trades in here so far. Those are all ripoffs. Though I agree we're owed for Goodrow, but I doubt they see it that way.

 

[matt trick]

I don't like Kakko calling out his teammates- at least indirectly- but it seems like a total gong show. I do think on a buylow (which is higher than all the above offers) he could be a nice pickup. Anything that gets Goody (wishful thinking?) to the fourth line I'm supportive of.

Not sure what the Rangers need? Someone to eat Zibanejad's contract, an upgrade on one of their top 6 centers, and an upgrade on their 4/5 D. Fox, Shesterkin, and their wings are pretty good. They're also ready to run K'Andre out of town, but don't see them getting an upgrade in season.

What a mess. The only thing that causes a collapse like that is a pissed off locker room or a coach not holding people accountable. Doubt it's the former so it's got to be the latter. Goodrow was the glue holding the Rangers together.

 

[mogambomoroo]

Get Kaapo Kakko!! Please MG!!

Last time I've had this feeling about player working out in SJ was Granlund when he was traded here... So I'm quite sure about my intuition. On the wing of either Celebrini or Smith and the rest is history.

 

[timorous me]

I still say the biggest mistake the Rangers have made this year was not firing Laviolette and hiring Jim Montgomery when they had the opportunity.

 

[Star Platinum]

I still say the biggest mistake the Rangers have made this year was not firing Laviolette and hiring Jim Montgomery when they had the opportunity.

I think the biggest mistake the Sharks have made was not doing the same thing.

Rangers have fired a ton of coaches. The mix of players needs some change.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Grier knows Kakko well, so I will trust his judgment on whether or not to bring him over.

Is it a complete coincidence that the Rangers fell apart without Goodrow? Maybe his locker-room presence is that valuable? Of course, it's more likely that it wasn't Goodrow himself, but how he was treated rankling others.

 

[timorous me]

I think the biggest mistake the Sharks have made was not doing the same thing.

Rangers have fired a ton of coaches. The mix of players needs some change.

Like during the McLellan years?

 

[LadyStanley]

Though I agree we're owed for Goodrow, but I doubt they see it that way.

And the union may file a grievance if Sharks get too good a deal claiming it was "owed" for waiver claim.

 

[Star Platinum]

Like during the McLellan years?

 

[Timo Time]

Of all teams I am glad that we are not, or anywhere near, is Buffalo. That team just f***ing sucks and may never improve

 

[tiburon12]

NY State teams today outscored 12-1, yikes

 

[DG93]

I'd love to get Kakko. Kakko-Wennberg-Zetterlund 3rd line would be a lot of fun.