Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part II

[RickTheDick61]

To me, he looks a bit like Rick Nash, scores tap-in’s, breakaways, but doesn’t have a lethal shot. His style of posession is similiar in ways, but he’s way more agile than Nash ever was.

That being said, he’s the perfect replacement for me, as Nash retired

 

[Stubu]

This is so lame...

Fabio...

 

[Stubu]

Also the first left-shooting Finnish diabetic professional teenage athlete over 6”0 born after the death of Tupac to score a shootout goal in Madison Square Garden on an afternoon in the first half of November against a non Original Six team during the post-expansion era, while wearing a non-prime jersey number.

I didn't know that.

 

[Stubu]

Foppa’s style shortened his shelf life in the league.

Kakko isn’t as aggressive, but the puck protection/wrap around prowess is very foppa.

It should be Foppan, not Foppa. With Swedish nicknames it's the definitive article added to the word. Somehow that fits particularly well with Forsberg. (Although Sundin was the serial Finland killer I remember all too well.)

 

[Stubu]

When I said all this kid needed to take a big step forward was a small run of good fortunate, this is exactly what I was talking about. It'd be nice if his linemates started potting a few too since 30+ goals still seems optimistic to me. 20/20 and beyond would be amazing.

Do you mean 20/20 hindsight or 20+20 for 40 points? If you divide 20 by 20 you only get 1 and that would be disappointing.

 

[Stubu]

He seems to have a thing going on with Fox? If they can keep feeding each other it's going to be gud. Youth power. Hope the old-timers in the room approve and just enjoy.

 

[True Blue]

Youth power. Hope the old-timers in the room approve and just enjoy.

What does this mean?? Posters that have been here for quite a while do not enjoy rookies?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He seems to have a thing going on with Fox? If they can keep feeding each other it's going to be gud. Youth power. Hope the old-timers in the room approve and just enjoy.

Would be nice if Fox/Kakko can be our Doughty/Kopitar. Not in terms of the type of players, but how important they will be to a future Cup run

 

[Leetch3]

so Kakko's play has improved lately and David Quinn stopped talking to him...that should quiet down the anti-quinn crowd LOL

 

[True Blue]

so Kakko's play has improved lately and David Quinn stopped talking to him...that should quiet down the anti-quinn crowd LOL

I am sure that is just happenstance. We all know that Quinn is an idiot AND a moron and has no idea of how to coach 18 year olds. Remember, because Kakko said he wants to be THE man, it is only Quinn's idiocy that prevented that from happening because he did not immediately place him on the top line and treated him as such.

 

[aufheben]

Do you mean 20/20 hindsight or 20+20 for 40 points? If you divide 20 by 20 you only get 1 and that would be disappointing.

40 points

 

[BB88]

so Kakko's play has improved lately and David Quinn stopped talking to him...that should quiet down the anti-quinn crowd LOL

If I remember it right when Kakko wasn't getting that much playing time Quinn was never really there to tell him why.

They brought in Ruutu and suddenly his game starts to build.

I'd like coaches to sit down with these kids and explain things to them more, and not leave them with questions without answers.

 

[Leetch3]

If I remember it right when Kakko wasn't getting that much playing time Quinn was never really there to tell him why.

They brought in Ruutu and suddenly his game starts to build.

I'd like coaches to sit down with these kids and explain things to them more, and not leave them with questions without answers.

thats wrong that quinn wasn't telling him what was expected...ruutu was brought in to help him feel more comfortable off the ice. but ultimately the thing that changed is kakko scored and his confidence started to build...

quinn's comment about not talking to Kakko was obviously about not trying to overwhelm him and ask to much of him, but rather realize that he is 18 years old and sometimes you just need to let him be and let him grow naturally...he isn't actually giving him the silent treatment and not explaining things. but the way it was said the anti-quinn crowd can easily spin it as 'see this is more proof that quinn is terrible at his job'

 

[BB88]

thats wrong that quinn wasn't telling him what was expected...ruutu was brought in to help him feel more comfortable off the ice. but ultimately the thing that changed is kakko scored and his confidence started to build...

quinn's comment about not talking to Kakko was obviously about not trying to overwhelm him and ask to much of him, but rather realize that he is 18 years old and sometimes you just need to let him be and let him grow naturally...he isn't actually giving him the silent treatment and not explaining things. but the way it was said the anti-quinn crowd can easily spin it as 'see this is more proof that quinn is terrible at his job'

Kaapo Kakko haluaisi enemmän peliaikaa NY Rangersin ykköstähden rinnalla: ”Sitä odotan tosi paljon”

"It's not easy, sometimes you are playing a lot, and at times you are watching when others are playing,

According to Kakko head coach David Quinn hasn't explained his changing role/minutes,

Honestly hasn't really said a word, of course it's tough to keep an eye on all the players from the box."

(and no this isn't an article of Kakko crying about his role, or demanding a 1st line spot)

Like I said I'd hope coaches sat down more with the kids and explained things, now this doesn't mean put some huge pressure on them to perform but to talk to them, especially with kids from Europe in new enviroment.

 

[Cag29]

Great passer as well.

To me, he looks a bit like Rick Nash, scores tap-in’s, breakaways, but doesn’t have a lethal shot. His style of posession is similiar in ways, but he’s way more agile than Nash ever was.

That being said, he’s the perfect replacement for me, as Nash retired

Great on the PP.

 

[Cag29]

Kovalev gets over-romanticized because of his puck skills, which were all-time. The 'he didn't care enough/was a lazy Russian' is a cop out. People saw how he could handle the pill and though he should have been this MVP type player when in reality, he was a very good player but not this all-time great who just didn't care or want to be as good as he could have been.

He was a horse and let’s not forget at the most crucial moment game 6 against the Devils he scored the first goal from Mess to get us going. He’s on the 94 Stanley Cup NYR! I loved him. Frustrating at times but a great talent. And when it counted the most he played well along side Mess and Graves!!!! Remember we have 1 cup in 79 years. And I’ve watch 44 of those seasons.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

He was a horse and let’s not forget at the most crucial moment game 6 against the Devils he scored the first goal from Mess to get us going. He’s on the 94 Stanley Cup NYR! I loved him. Frustrating at times but a great talent. And when it counted the most he played well along side Mess and Graves!!!! Remember we have 1 cup in 79 years. And I’ve watch 44 of those seasons.

I love Kovalev, always will. He was great, fun to watch and will always be remembered in Ranger folklore for the contributions he made in the cup run. And a really humble and personable guy on top of it.

I was simply speaking to the narrative that he was this MVP-caliber player who just didn't have the drive, which isn't true.

 

[CasusBelli]

I didn't know that.

 

[romba]

What does this mean?? Posters that have been here for quite a while do not enjoy rookies?

Easy there boomer (jk)

I think he meant old timers in the Rangers lockerroom not realizing we don't have any

 

[Filthy Dangles]

To me, he looks a bit like Rick Nash, scores tap-in’s, breakaways, but doesn’t have a lethal shot. His style of posession is similiar in ways, but he’s way more agile than Nash ever was.

That being said, he’s the perfect replacement for me, as Nash retired

He definitely reminds me of Nash as a finisher on breakaways and when he takes the puck to the net out of the corner but he should be a more dynamic goal scorer than Nash was (score goals in more ways).

Nash only had 26 PPG in 375 games as a Ranger. Kakko will be more a goal scorer on the PP.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

I love Kovalev, always will. He was great, fun to watch and will always be remembered in Ranger folklore for the contributions he made in the cup run. And a really humble and personable guy on top of it.

I was simply speaking to the narrative that he was this MVP-caliber player who just didn't have the drive, which isn't true.

Why isn't that true? Kovalev was one of the most skilled players to ever play the game. His career, while great and borderline HOF worthy, never quite matched up to his immense talent level. A lot of it was drive - his years with the Rangers after '94, in particular, were about as frustrating as they come.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Why isn't that true? Kovalev was one of the most skilled players to ever play the game. His career, while great and borderline HOF worthy, never quite matched up to his immense talent level. A lot of it was drive - his years with the Rangers after '94, in particular, were about as frustrating as they come.

Because it's a lot less likely that he just wasn't as good as people talk him up to be. He had some of the best puck skills ever, sure. But he wasn't an elite skater and I don't think he saw/thought the game at an elite level either.

Even if you compare his toolbox and talent to some of the top players of his era, he doesn't really match up. Jagr, Forsberg, Sakic, Lemieux, Fedorov, Lindros, Bure, Modano etc....Kovy wasn't as talented as those guys unless you're just talking about skill with his hands.

 

[McRanger]

Why isn't that true? Kovalev was one of the most skilled players to ever play the game. His career, while great and borderline HOF worthy, never quite matched up to his immense talent level. A lot of it was drive - his years with the Rangers after '94, in particular, were about as frustrating as they come.

Drive was a big part but I've always felt that while a lot of his skills were as good as they get (especially his blinding stickhandling) his brain was not.

 

[ecemleafs]

Kakkos slap shot and one timer need improvement but that shud come with strength and practice. Hes shown far more interest in attempting one timers and slap passes than nash ever did in his career.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Drive was a big part but I've always felt that while a lot of his skills were as good as they get (especially his blinding stickhandling) his brain was not.

True. I'll concede that his insane puck handling skills is probably skewing my memory.

It's also really difficult to determine if improving his hockey IQ was on him or a casualty of his circumstances. The end of his first tenure with the Rangers and his entire 2nd tenure was marred by organizational problems. Not totally his fault.