Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part II

[Fitzy]

Breaking news - 18 year old struggling in his 3rd month of professional North American hockey.

Just because a few of us were sober about rookie productivity doesn't mean that much of this board had church of Kakko avys and we're penciling him in for the Calder trophy.

Folks here did it to themselves.

 

[True Blue]

Almost all of his problems comes down to skating and just adjusting to speed of NHL.

Hardly. The dipsy doodling that worked very well in Liiga is not going to work in the NHL. He needs to be able to get off a shot rather decisively. That is one of the more glaring things that is going on here. You can't stick handle your way through the opposition.

He also needs to engage a lot more and learn to trust his size.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Just because a few of us were sober about rookie productivity doesn't mean that much of this board had church of Kakko avys and we're penciling him in for the Calder trophy.

Folks here did it to themselves.

That Church of Kakko thing got old real fast.

 

[Matt4776]

That Church of Kakko thing got old real fast.

Perhaps it helped build unrealistic expectations, but I had no problem with finally being excited over a stroke of good luck (winning the lottery) which allowed us to get our highest draft pick since the O6 era.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Just because a few of us were sober about rookie productivity doesn't mean that much of this board had church of Kakko avys and we're penciling him in for the Calder trophy.

Folks here did it to themselves.

Maybe such members of the board should remember this lesson when they want to trade guys in their mid 20's for prospects and picks.

 

[Kocur Dill]

Hardly. The dipsy doodling that worked very well in Liiga is not going to work in the NHL. He needs to be able to get off a shot rather decisively. That is one of the more glaring things that is going on here. You can't stick handle your way through the opposition.

He also needs to engage a lot more and learn to trust his size.

The dipsy doodle can work, just not right now. He needs to learn how to do the basics at this level to open up the ice for him to display his skilled attacks.

There is a yin-yang effect to the way top players make space for themselves and it starts with being unpredictable so defenders don't play you so tight. Beat them with the simple plays, utilize your linemates at the appropriate times, be selfish at the appropriate times, develope a reputation as such and opposing coaches develop game plans that consist of giving you space, then you flash the dipsy doodles sparingly when a hole opens up.

It's fluid. There is no set formula. You just have to develop that reputation first. Being unpredictable is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's literally a Neo/Matrix belief of making constant adjustments game to game, minute to minute, period to period, and working with what the opposition is giving you. Play the same way every minute, every game, and the "superstar" moments might never materialize.

 

[romba]

One of the biggest issues, aside from his pitiful 0-60 acceleration, is that he's always 1 step behind his man in the D zone. He's close enough to pressure defensively which is great a solid first step (putting in the effort is appreciated), but he's never close enough to cause a turnover and turn the other way quickly. Even Howden can do that from time to time. If a puck is inaccurately passed to his man the forward inevitably will find a way to corral the puck and keep it moving even if it bounced 5 feet away. Kakko at that point is doing all he can to catch up to his guy and is wayyyy too late to even think of grabbing the loose puck. He's mentally a step behind and physically he's already a step slower than most so therefore really seems to struggle in the D zone. His line often gets hemmed in for extended D zone shifts. On the PP he doesn't have to worry about either problem which is why he's excelled on the PP.

I expect to see strong improvements over the off season for both of these issues so I'm not too worried.

 

[Sayba]

The tape on Kakko his first preseason game is a different player than we have seen lately. His position on the PP does not make any sense and he isn't great 5vs5 yet. Looking at this team, we don't have room for Kakko, Buch and Kratvsov on the right side, one of them will have to go and it won't be Kakko. All 3 should be on the right side and will need PP time there to succeed.

 

[Peltz]

The dipsy doodle can work, just not right now. He needs to learn how to do the basics at this level to open up the ice for him to display his skilled attacks.

There is a yin-yang effect to the way top players make space for themselves and it starts with being unpredictable so defenders don't play you so tight. Beat them with the simple plays, utilize your linemates at the appropriate times, be selfish at the appropriate times, develope a reputation as such and opposing coaches develop game plans that consist of giving you space, then you flash the dipsy doodles sparingly when a hole opens up.

It's fluid. There is no set formula. You just have to develop that reputation first. Being unpredictable is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It's literally a Neo/Matrix belief of making constant adjustments game to game, minute to minute, period to period, and working with what the opposition is giving you. Play the same way every minute, every game, and the "superstar" moments might never materialize.

This is so true.

Kratvsov

Just stop there. He's not an NHL player yet. Any discussion over that is a little premature at this point isn't it?

 

[McRanger]

Just because a few of us were sober about rookie productivity doesn't mean that much of this board had church of Kakko avys and we're penciling him in for the Calder trophy.

Folks here did it to themselves.

Except "much of this board" did not pencil him in for the Calder, a handful of posters did.

And even "a handful" might be generous, there appears to be more posts and posters in the last few pages of this thread saying that he would not win the Calder than ever appeared to say he would win the Calder.

I'd hazard a guess that the same people who are now pointing out that they knew Kakko would struggle are the same people who have a negative view about almost everything. Its not a bad strategy really. Have a negative view about every season and prospect and you are bound to be right most of the time.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Trade him while he still has value, Grots.

 

[Sayba]

This is so true.


Just stop there. He's not an NHL player yet. Any discussion over that is a little premature at this point isn't it?

I agree, never liked the pick and this season certainly isn't helping.

 

[True Blue]

There is a yin-yang effect to the way top players make space for themselves and it starts with being unpredictable so defenders don't play you so tight. Beat them with the simple plays, utilize your linemates at the appropriate times, be selfish at the appropriate times, develope a reputation as such and opposing coaches develop game plans that consist of giving you space, then you flash the dipsy doodles sparingly when a hole opens up.

That was something that the article that Brooks wrote mentioned as well. Him not using his teammates as a way to set up plays for both himself and others.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Rangers should release him to Finland for WJC? any chances that this happens?

 

[will1066]

That was something that the article that Brooks wrote mentioned as well. Him not using his teammates as a way to set up plays for both himself and others.

I've said this for months now. He doesn't use his teammates. Until he learns that, he won't do much. This isn't some league where he can handle the puck for lengths at a time. No one said that he can't handle the puck, but geez, there are others on the ice who are there to help.

 

[Chaels Arms]

All I've wanted to see out of Kakko this season is:

A. Does he work hard and
B. Does he show flashes of elite skill

I've gotten a yes to both of those questions. I'm pretty satisfied. It's going to take time but there's nothing that makes me think he won't be a 40/40 player in a few seasons.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

He isn't going to be sent to the AHL, nor should he.

Monitor his minutes, give him a breather here and there, sure. It'd also help if they stopped attaching him to Howden and actually gave him more than a shift every other week with Chytil, which for some reason is the one combo that Quinn has been allergic to giving a shot.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

The tape on Kakko his first preseason game is a different player than we have seen lately. His position on the PP does not make any sense and he isn't great 5vs5 yet. Looking at this team, we don't have room for Kakko, Buch and Kratvsov on the right side, one of them will have to go and it won't be Kakko. All 3 should be on the right side and will need PP time there to succeed.

That's ridiculous. The tape didn't change, the competition did.

As other's have stated, he needs to get accustomed to doing EVERYTHING faster. A smaller rink and stronger/faster players having that effect on a young player is a natural part of the process.

His skating does concern me a bit, but I don't know if its a legitimate issue, or if he had a little too much fun in the offseason and is playing catch up.

 

[Kiekura]

Hardly. The dipsy doodling that worked very well in Liiga is not going to work in the NHL. He needs to be able to get off a shot rather decisively. That is one of the more glaring things that is going on here. You can't stick handle your way through the opposition.

He also needs to engage a lot more and learn to trust his size.

Absolutely true, but he is currently behind one step every time because of his skating.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

He isn't going to be sent to the AHL, nor should he.

Monitor his minutes, give him a breather here and there, sure. It'd also help if they stopped attaching him to Howden and actually gave him more than a shift every other week with Chytil, which for some reason is the one combo that Quinn has been allergic to giving a shot.

All options should be on the table, including the AHL.

It's also absurd to complain about where he's been positioned given the even strength and PP opportunities he's been given over the last several weeks. There seems to be this snap reaction to make excuses for young players instead of just accepting this is the way its going to be for a while.

 

[Sayba]

That's ridiculous. The tape didn't change, the competition did.

As other's have stated, he needs to get accustomed to doing EVERYTHING faster. A smaller rink and stronger/faster players having that effect on a young player is a natural part of the process.

His skating does concern me a bit, but I don't know if its a legitimate issue, or if he had a little too much fun in the offseason and is playing catch up.

So Kakko stayed the same and everyone else got faster? There is no doubt he needs to adjust to the NHL and make improvements. My point really is he is being misused on the PP. Our PP was at it's best with Panerin on the left and Kakko on the right.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

So Kakko stayed the same and everyone else got faster? There is no doubt he needs to adjust to the NHL and make improvements. My point really is he is being misused on the PP. Our PP was at it's best with Panerin on the left and Kakko on the right.

Sounds like you're trying to be a smartass, but now compared to the preseason? The answer is yes.

Until he adjusts and starts playing the game faster, it doesn't matter how he's utilized - he's going to go through spells like this.

 

[Sayba]

Sounds like you're trying to be a smartass, but now compared to the preseason? The answer is yes.

Until he adjusts and starts playing the game faster, it doesn't matter how he's utilized - he's going to go through spells like this.

I'm saying he should be on the right side on the PP, it's best for him and best for the team. I was referencing the preseason because he did it really well there and has shown flashes in the regular season of doing it well also. By taking him off the right side we make him less effective and Panerin less effective.

 

[Maximus]

I guess I'm more or less in the same boat as @aufheben in the sense that I see a player that is probably too good for the AHL. So in that sense, I'm not really sure what he'd do there other than put up a 3-5 points in the 2-4 games and then come right back up here and still have to work on the same things.

In some cases, I think a trip to the AHL can be beneficial. In other cases, I wonder if it becomes a bit of a default response when a young player is going through rough patches. Kind of like a wounded animal, we don't want them to suffer, so we figure sending them to a place where they can dominate will help. But sometimes a young player just needs to accept the challenge and needs to experience just how difficult the NHL can be.

In Kakko's case, I think he has more to learn fighting for his points in the NHL than he does racking up the points in the AHL.

Edge it's not going to matter if he goes to the AHL at this point. Unless his skating and stamina improve to the point where he can at the very least keep up with whoever his linemates are, it's not going to matter whether or not he's here or in Hartford.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Until he has an offseason where he can take some intense power skating lessons and strength training, what we see now is what we are going to get from Kakko going forward for the rest of this season.

And for an 18 year old playing in the best league on the planet, his productivity hasn't been so horrible. If anything considering how seemingly difficult it has been for him to keep up with the pace of play thus far, him being on pace for close to 35-40 points isn't the worst thing in the world.

It's all about expectations and for us, we should all realize we have a rare talent in our midst and it's going to take a few years before it truly bears fruit. I have no doubt in mind that next year after we al know Kakko is going to to thu an intensive offseason training program where he undoubtedly will improve his skating and stamina, that his performance will improve to a much higher level than it is right now.

 

[Edge]

Have a negative view about every season and prospect and you are bound to be right most of the time.

There's one poster, who isn't around much these days, for whom I feel this could've been the quote under 95 percent of their posts.