I think Lavi has done a great job but to be fair that line stayed together because it produced. KK started the first 10 games or so on the Zib line but was moved because he didn't produce. Thats not a reflection on Lavi. Pretty much all coaches would do the same thing.
Let’s rephrase that sentence.
Sorry I do not go along with the everyone but KK's fault for KK not producing. First it was Quinns fault, Then Drury. Then Gallant. Now its CK, Mika and Lavi's fault that KK was not producing? KK was not producing while playing with other players before his injury. CK is top 3 in even strength goal numbers this season. While I want CK and Zibs to be better its not helpful to always blame everyone but KK for KK's production. KK has played 55 games. Only around 10 of them were with CK and Zibs. Vesey plays almost exclusively on the 3rd and 4th lines and was out producing KK for much of the season. KK has started producing in recent weeks. He should get credit for that. I'm happy for him and I give him credit for that. At some point KK has to be the primary person responsible for KK. We should not be the parents on the sidelines blaming everyone else on the field because our kid is not the star player we hope he will be.
Speaking of which, does anyone have that pic of Gallant working at McDonalds?
You can not go along with it all you want. But feel free to go back through all the game discussions from early season.
KK played the first 9 games with them and maybe 1 or 2 after his injury. 9 games were not his whole season up till the last few weeks nor his 5 seasons. They are now the latest scapegoat? I want KK to succeed as much as anyone but it doesn't do him any good for anyone to always blame others for his production. When does KKs production become about KK? Vesey played much of the season on the 4th line. Did he have it better than KK?
to answer the question about when does Kakko’s production become solely about him?
If Mikas worst EV goal season (while ignoring everything else) is the only standard then you are right. Laf has played very well. He deserves that credit regardless of line. I do not want to beat a dead horse. I'm happy with KKs recent production. I was not satisfied with his production earlier in the season. If you were and just think its other people's fault that is fine. I can respect your opinion even if I do not agree.
I think you’re conflating production and play.If Mikas worst EV goal season (while ignoring everything else) is the only standard then you are right. Laf has played very well. He deserves that credit regardless of line. I do not want to beat a dead horse. I'm happy with KKs recent production. I was not satisfied with his production earlier in the season. If you were and just think it’s other people's fault that is fine. I can respect your opinion even if I do not agree.
I tend to think that the way the org viewed laffy prior to this season was different than kakko. One guy had shown flashes of being a consistent top 6 player and the other has not.
I thought KK took a step forward last season and Laf took a step backwards last season. This season that kind of reversed.
I saw no step from kakko last year and no sign of the definite skill needed to be a consistent top 6 players. last year I saw a laffy that had flashes of skill but not the fitness or general commitment needed. Laffy has brought it though this year
That sounds like a you problem.
You and they saw steps of kakko as a player or steps of kakko looking like a figure top 6? There is a significant difference. Last year he took steps as a consistent 3rd liners and looked out of place on top lines. He did and still does lack the skill and vision to play with elite players and he can't do anything on the rush at the NHL level. Same this last year too
I saw a 22 year old scoring 40 points at 5v5 with no PP time, mostly getting 3rd line minutes, with very good D and excellent possession, so yes I saw a future top 6 player. I still see it. Unfortunately, the only top six wing open is with Zibs and Kreids where NO ONE flourishes. No one has clicked with them in YEARS.
almost everyone on the board watched kakko's play last year and said at the end of the year that he had taken a large jump, considering that he put up 40 points with almost no pp time, and 15:00ish minutes per game, playing with chytil and Laf.
