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Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part II

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Bleed Ranger Blue said:
No offense, Im excited about him, but I certainly dont see this right now. I see an 18 year old kid trying to find his footing in a new country, with a new team, playing a different type of game on a different rink. He'll figure it out. Anyone who thought he'd rocket out of the gate was setting themselves up for disappointment.
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I should have clarified, but I didn't mean in his on-ice performance. I was referring to his more recent interviews where he's mentioned his struggles and how we wants to improve to become the go-to player on the team.

His on-ice play hasn't been ideal, but it's only been 10 games for a kid that's jumped straight from Liiga to the NHL.
 
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Kid needs some serious help with his shot.
In NHL if you get pass to dot for a shot, that shot has to leave in the moment you get the puck! Or you have to have a elite shot, that Kakko does not have.

Though. Kakko makes a pass when he should shoot.

Well he will learn.
 
haveandare said:
With even decent luck, he'd have 4 or 5 goals by now and there'd be a whole lot less criticism. He's making things happen in his way, albeit less often than he has at lower levels. Not that unusual and not cause for alarm.
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He hit the post on that one backhand but don't recall too many plays where he didn't have luck. If anything, he scored a lucky goal the other night. He's finding himself but definitely have been disappointed so far with the hype coming in. Its also been 11 games so no reason to be concerned. Just a bigger project than initially thought.
 
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He wants to dangle. He wants to repeat success he had elsewhere with backhand wraparounds.
 
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haveandare said:
With even decent luck, he'd have 4 or 5 goals by now and there'd be a whole lot less criticism. He's making things happen in his way, albeit less often than he has at lower levels. Not that unusual and not cause for alarm.
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This is true. Well, maybe not 4-5, but more than 1 5v5 goal. He has 5v5 0.924 PDO, 1.75 On-Ice SH%, 7.69 SH%.

He needs to shoot more. We saw that today. 5v5 22 iCF—9th on the team, and Power Play 11 iCF.

His confidence and defensive-awareness are increasing with every game. You can see his confidence spike in-game after he scores or comes close; A small hot streak and his game is going to take a leap forward.
 
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Thought he had maybe his best game this season. Would've been awesome if he'd scored on that breakaway.

Anyway I concur with what most have been saying, he needs to shoot more. Especially on the powerplay, as opposed to consistently looking for a lane to fine Strome. Kakko actually has a good/great shot and I think it's just his confidence that has been on the way of him finding the net. He was scoring on multiple ways last season in the FEL and his shot was sharp and accurate. So as long as he remains on the first powerplay unit those goals are coming.

Thought he looked a lot better on 5vs5 last night as well. If he can keep it up I hope he climbs up back to the top six. I'd actually like to see him paired up with Panarin for just one or two games and see where that leads. Anyway, Kakko has been trailing in the right direction lately which is extremely promising and enjoyable to watch.
 
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Seele said:
Season is still long but game by game I’m starting to eat my words on sending him AHL.

Funny how his performance clearly changed toward better after spending those 5 days with Tuomo Ruutu.
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He himself said that it really helped him. He is getting his confidence back.

It really is massive help for these young guys being able to talk with their own language and to a people who were pros in NHL.
 
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Seele said:
Season is still long but game by game I’m starting to eat my words on sending him AHL.

Funny how his performance clearly changed toward better after spending those 5 days with Tuomo Ruutu.
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It makes sense. You get to talk to someone who understands you. Who speaks the same language, is used to the same customs and habits. It's huge and often either forgotton or not understood. These things matter for everyone who moves to a different country at a young age. This can't be said enough because clearly people are still missing the point here
 
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Yeah the Rangers did a great move, I think than maybe the about the interest in Puljujärvi is in the same vein, getting Kakko a mate, other than Puljujärvi is obviously a great talent as well and hopefully he'll put it together should he get traded to the Rangers. Better stop before I vere to much off topic.
 
Seele said:
Season is still long but game by game I’m starting to eat my words on sending him AHL.

Funny how his performance clearly changed toward better after spending those 5 days with Tuomo Ruutu.
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I've said it forever and will say it forever.

Confidence is everything for young players.
 
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BB88 said:
I've said it forever and will say it forever.

Confidence is everything for young players.
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Some don’t have the talent yet to keep up at this level, but for those who do it’s all confidence imo. Kakko definitely has the talent even at his age
 
He’s going to be so insanely good.

Things he has “struggled” with like confidence and conditioning (the confidence part is overblown, he controls the puck on the power play like a 10 year veteran) are very easy to fix.

He is also the type of talent that’s going to do everything to fix these issues. The dude is all business.

I think he’s our best player in 2 years.
 
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He seems to be getting better and better at the little things each game and also there are flashes of his signature style that are becoming more pronounced.

It's obvious that the kid wants to win and be a force each night and is going work his tail off to improve and be the best he can be. He is very focused, intense and his level of perseverance is rare for such a young kid. That is what separates the great players from the average ones.

First multi-point night. One of many to come.
 
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Speedtrials said:
The way the kid is able to use his body to shield the puck against veterans is unbelievable. When he gets a summer or two of weight training with the Rangers he will be unstoppable down low. Also, like that he was using his shot more on the powerplay last night.
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Totally agree. He's already more than halfway there and hes learning what he can and cannot get away with. He seems to bank all of that knowledge on a nightly basis. He's only 18 for christssake. Once he grows fully into his body and continues to develop his skating quickness and edge work he is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Still can't believe the Rangers drafted this kid.
 
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