Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part III

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I always took you for more or a trebuchet kind of guy.

Trouba-Skjei?

 

[LOFIN]

What specifically about his skating needs fixing?

Just overall, I'm seeing a lot of what I saw with Barkov, Laine and Rantanen before they got a skating coach during the summer. Just not explosive enough. A lot of this is probably because he's getting bigger, but his skating is not keeping up with his growth.

 

[Kiekura]

Just overall, I'm seeing a lot of what I saw with Barkov, Laine and Rantanen before they got a skating coach during the summer. Just not explosive enough. A lot of this is probably because he's getting bigger, but his skating is not keeping up with his growth.

And all those players skating is complitely fine now. I expect same to happen Kakko

 

[Zub]

People need to be more patient with Kakko, we're all dissapointed with him not being a rockstar out the gate that's for sure but he will be when the time comes.

 

[IronBloodedLion]

He’s looking much better this year so far. He still needs to work on his skating, but he’s been very noticeable. I expect him to score a lot using his size and frame to drive to the net.

 

[molotce]

Beside below average acceleration (first steps) i feel kakko might benefit from a longer stick too... his is shorter than usual which helps with dangles/handlings, a department his pretty good at anyways. Longer stick would help woth his shot while also giving his 6ft3 frame a longer range and better ‘keep away’ play for puck protection. Sticks lenght is often at a player’s discretion but id like to see him try

 

[CasusBelli]

Beside below average acceleration (first steps) i feel kakko might benefit from a longer stick too... his is shorter than usual which helps with dangles/handlings, a department his pretty good at anyways. Longer stick would help woth his shot while also giving his 6ft3 frame a longer range and better ‘keep away’ play for puck protection. Sticks lenght is often at a player’s discretion but id like to see him try

I don’t think he has a future as a dangler. If he can work on acceleration, as you said, he will be much more dangerous. He is deceptively nimble for his size — very good turning radius. But he needs to get to top speed in three, at most four, strides if he wants to reach his potential. His brain is there — he clearly has good instincts. He just needs to also work on his shot — especially his release. Then he can work on back-checking and defensive positioning to become a proper threat.

 

[duhmetreE]

Beside below average acceleration (first steps) i feel kakko might benefit from a longer stick too... his is shorter than usual which helps with dangles/handlings, a department his pretty good at anyways. Longer stick would help woth his shot while also giving his 6ft3 frame a longer range and better ‘keep away’ play for puck protection. Sticks lenght is often at a player’s discretion but id like to see him try

there's a goldilocks zone for sticks. Your wrists can only generate so much power and accuracy at 'off-angles'.

If your stick is too long or too short it is noticeable, it could benefit other areas but your shot will suffer.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I feel like Kakko has gotten a little faster. Which is a good sign. But he is dogging the puck all over the ice which even better.

I think where his skating takes a hit is when he is controlling the puck and he has a defenseman on him, in the neutral zone or entering the zone on a rush. He gets knocked off but I think that will improve as his knowledge of the game increases. I think his decision making without the puck has gotten a lot better and he is making plays all over the ice. He is closing on the opposition quicker. He also continues to put himself in good scoring positions. You can definitely see him developing.

As the season goes on I'd like to see him start to dominate a little more down low with the puck and create more offense for his linemates. I think that will come. Thats the part of his skating and stickhandling ability that works well. Its a combo thing with him. Its more about creativity and body position than straight lines. Sucks Chytil is out tonight. Hoping he gets a competent center, but its unlikely considering the Rangers depth in that department!

 

[molotce]

there's a goldilocks zone for sticks. Your wrists can only generate so much power and accuracy at 'off-angles'.

If your stick is too long or too short it is noticeable, it could benefit other areas but your shot will suffer.

Yes, but a longer stick gives you more leverage, atkinson comes to mind, chose a longer stick for that.

 

[molotce]

I feel like Kakko has gotten a little faster. Which is a good sign. But he is dogging the puck all over the ice which even better.

I think where his skating takes a hit is when he is controlling the puck and he has a defenseman on him, in the neutral zone or entering the zone on a rush. He gets knocked off but I think that will improve as his knowledge of the game increases. I think his decision making without the puck has gotten a lot better and he is making plays all over the ice. He is closing on the opposition quicker. He also continues to put himself in good scoring positions. You can definitely see him developing.

As the season goes on I'd like to see him start to dominate a little more down low with the puck and create more offense for his linemates. I think that will come. Thats the part of his skating and stickhandling ability that works well. Its a combo thing with him. Its more about creativity and body position than straight lines. Sucks Chytil is out tonight. Hoping he gets a competent center, but its unlikely considering the Rangers depth in that department!

I feel you are right, its most obvious when chytil makes the breakout pass at his own blue line to kakko, kakkos acceleration through neutral is not good, chytil arrives at the opponent’s blueline almost before kakko. But his defensive play has improved a lot from last year. I fear without chytil who gave that speed/transition, the line will suffer

 

[duhmetreE]

Yes, but a longer stick gives you more leverage, atkinson comes to mind, chose a longer stick for that.

for a sweeping wrist shot. You could shoot hard and heavy like a sling ala Rick Nash.

Not for modern day sniper style snap shots though. The torque of your wrists need the stick/puck in a certain place. it cant be awkwardly too close or too far from your body.

 

[will1066]

Slap shots are so high risk with teams being so good on the transition these days. Errant wrist shots are also, but slap shots pose a greater risk.

 

[Levitate]

I feel you are right, its most obvious when chytil makes the breakout pass at his own blue line to kakko, kakkos acceleration through neutral is not good, chytil arrives at the opponent’s blueline almost before kakko. But his defensive play has improved a lot from last year. I fear without chytil who gave that speed/transition, the line will suffer

I mean part of the problem is that Chytil is a very powerful straight line skater and he tends to rocket through the neutral zone faster than his wingers
Without his speed they'll probably just need to work the passign a bit more or work the dump ins a bit more, depends on who they're setup with.

 

[007]

Slap shots are so high risk with teams being so good on the transition these days. Errant wrist shots are also, but slap shots pose a greater risk.

He's taken very few slap shots in the NHL, I feel, but at TPS and on the international level, he seemed to rarely put his full power into slap shots - he seemed to shoot at 90% in favour of accuracy (not being a player myself, I can't tell you if this is really relevant or how effective it would be at the NHL level, but I'd be interested in anyone's thoughts).

 

[MysticLeviathan]

Kakko seems to be hitting a stride. While it’s not showing on the scoreboard, he’s playing some good games and making some good plays. Hopefully we see his name show up on the scoresheet more.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Kakko seems to be hitting a stride. While it’s not showing on the scoreboard, he’s playing some good games and making some good plays. Hopefully we see his name show up on the scoresheet more.

Hopefully he gets more than 10 minutes of ice first.

Hs’s been playing great, can’t imagine how frustrating this is for him that his bonehead coach refuses to play him as much as he should be playing.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Kakko seems to be hitting a stride. While it’s not showing on the scoreboard, he’s playing some good games and making some good plays. Hopefully we see his name show up on the scoresheet more.

He hasnt “earned” more then 10 minuets of ice time tho

 

[Synergy27]

Kid had looked really good recently. Definitely responding to my criticism here!

 

[Levitate]

He hasnt “earned” more then 10 minuets of ice time tho

eh sure he has. I think Quinn is trying to get the top six vets going and in his mind thinks he needs grinders to help them out. Kakko is suffering for it

 

[huerter]

I noticed a lot of bad positioning moments tonight. Maybe that effects his ice time. Crazy, I know.

 

[Rangers in 7]

He hasnt “earned” more then 10 minuets of ice time tho

What games have you been watching??? Wtf

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

eh sure he has. I think Quinn is trying to get the top six vets going and in his mind thinks he needs grinders to help them out. Kakko is suffering for it

This — plus the fact that he’s currently getting very little special teams time — is the correct diagnosis, IMO.

Would like to see Quinn give his 4th line less time and play his 3rd more in general — and especially with Kakko playing there.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

He hasnt “earned” more then 10 minuets of ice time tho

Heart beat is too slow. Not trying hard enough.

 

[BB88]

He’s suffering from the old school Rautala training like Laine was.

Get him a skating coach and things will change faster