It is very interesting to me when I think about it, that in 2019 with how advanced scouting should be with so much more exposure for these young players, rather than a handful of viewings, that a kid who was the consensus 1/2 overall in the draft never had skating mentioned as a question mark or limiting factor and then showed up honestly looking like it’s an aspect of his game that could be quite limiting if not improved upon. Yes, I do think conditioning plays a reasonable role in that, but he is by no means an outstanding skater either.
I mean there were flashes and I’m not so worried he won’t improve significantly with a year or two more experience, but his scouting reports say things like defensively responsible, most complete forward in the draft, always a step ahead of the play, sees the game like few others and I didn’t see any of that this year. I saw some offensive instincts and good hands. I didn’t see the rest. Not saying it isn’t there, but it is a bit surprising the scouting reports were ... generous.
Strengths
- Hockey sense and IQ
- Vision
- Skating and speed
- Puck Protection
Quotables
“A quick-thinking winger, Kakko never seems to be in a rush. He reads the game exceptionally well and finds himself a step ahead while the play is still developing. He is confident with the puck and capable of handling it in small spaces. With decent size for a player of his age, Kakko protects the puck well and uses his high hockey IQ to make smart offensive plays. He plays a mature game and is already strong enough to compete with men in the Finnish Liiga. Kakko excels offensively and beats opponents with smarts and skill both on and off the puck.” –
Matias Strozyk/Elite Prospects
“Kaapo is a skilled player. Really good in the corners, sees the game really well, passes well and he’s got really good character. He’s going to be a great NHL player, he has all the capacity.” –
Jussi Ahokas/Finland Coach
“Multi-tooled winger with size and coordination who incorporates his impressive puck skills with a desirable physical package that consistently exhausts opponents…Blessed with incredibly soft hands and tight-quarter quickness, Kakko is a reliable stickhandler who uses timing plays to either get open or create space for his linemates.” –
Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst
“I think he’s the best prospect from Finland since Barkov. He doesn’t have any major flaws, is a beast physically and tremendous when protecting the puck. He has worked hard this summer and that’s why he’s ready now.” –
Toni Rajamaki/Future Considerations
