haveandare
Registered User
Good catch on both. It’s nice to see him use his strength like that. He’s developing more slowly than we probably expected he would but it’s really starting to look like he’s going to be the player we all hoped eventually.
Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part IV
- Thread starter aufheben
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
- Status
bleedblue94
Registered User
- Jun 8, 2004
- 10,028
- 11,165
It was good to see the kid actually smile last night!
I also have to agree with and supplement @Edge's take on the impact consistent PP usage would have on his numbers to this point. IMO it's still a criticism of Quinn, and I do think he's really making it harder on Kakko and Lafreniere rather than easier, but I have to acknowledge that Quinn has *for the most part* kept Kakko on one line in the top six and has, as the season's gone on, been less reactive to dropping him from it, which imo is to Kakko's benefit too.
Amazingly, he's not like Lafreniere in being a high risk player. Even last year, it's not as though he was always trying a dangerous play and it turned the other way on him. He's a really meticulous player, really committed to having the puck and keeping the puck. Really happy with what I've seen from him this year and feel pretty confident that once--if ever--he gets onto that first PP unit, he'll be a legit top line winger by every count.
Kakko's always been a possession player. You see his meticulousness when he takes the puck under control to place a perfect shot in a top corner or goes for a pinpoint shot at a 7 hole, but it's hard to score if the goalie has had time to square up to the shooter. Once he finds the balance between directness (shooting first timers, scoring "ugly" goals) and possession/control he will take another huge jump.
- Jul 16, 2005
- 14,857
- 13,012
- Jan 18, 2012
- 35,247
- 53,890
Our 3 best lines for xGA (min 30minutes ) this season have one common denominator. Kaapo Kakko
I'd much rather he have less points but continue to play the way he is this year than have more points and play the way he did last year.
DanielBrassard
It's all so tiresome
What a turnaround from last season. I think he's been on the ice for something like 20 CA/60 less compared to last season which is an insane number. Now he just needs to get that xGF/60 up.Our 3 best lines for xGA (min 30minutes ) this season have one common denominator. Kaapo Kakko
HatTrick Swayze
Just Be Nice
Our 3 best lines for xGA (min 30minutes ) this season have one common denominator. Kaapo Kakko
On a rate basis (per 60 min) he is now 5th (!) among forwards (who have played 230 or more min 5v5) in the entire league in xGA.
- Jul 16, 2005
- 14,857
- 13,012
Shayna promised me an inside Kakko look in the comments of an Athletic article, hope she gets on that soon.
- Jul 6, 2017
- 14,776
- 14,084
It’s unbelievable. I’m used to sophomore slumps. Granted, he didn’t set the bar very high last year, but his performance has exceeded my wildest expectations.
brians1128
Registered User
- Nov 1, 2016
- 647
- 320
I'd really like to see him used on pp1 on the right half wall.
Harbour Dog
Registered User
At the Draft, I was maybe 55/45 in favour of Hughes.
After last season, that was probably more like 65/35.
Right now? I don't know if I wouldn't take Kakko over him. At the very least, it's closer to 50/50 than it's ever been.
After last season, that was probably more like 65/35.
Right now? I don't know if I wouldn't take Kakko over him. At the very least, it's closer to 50/50 than it's ever been.
- Jan 18, 2012
- 35,247
- 53,890
I wish Kakko skated like Hughes though. I think they're both going to end up being very good, albeit totally different, NHL players.
Kakko's one of those big players whose skating gets underrated. He's really not slow. He wasn't slow last year either, just gassed really quickly. I am actually consistently impressed with his agility and his edge work, and think it's upper echelon, especially for a guy his size. It's not a perfect match by any means, but Kakko's skating reminds me most of Patrick Kane's or even Panarin's. Except he's also 6'3".
Machinehead
HFNYR MVP
According to this one formula, Kakko leads the league in shots off of high-danger chances.
will1066
If you score four, you better f'n win the game
- Oct 12, 2008
- 52,405
- 75,528
It's like when there's a train coming -- freight or subway or otherwise -- it doesn't look that fast... until it's too late.
According to this one formula, Kakko leads the league in shots off of high-danger chances.
Considering he has only 4 non-empty net goals is it bad how poorly he's converting those? On the other hand means he's getting in good scoring position.
Chytil has been good away from Lafreniere.Our 3 best lines for xGA (min 30minutes ) this season have one common denominator. Kaapo Kakko
I just watched this, with his hands and penchant for takeaways any chance Kakko becomes a poor man's Datsyuk?
I think in kakko’s case, its the acceleration part of his skating that wasnt as good as his turns on edges for exemple. Overall speed is not bad but not great, edges are a strenght of his but acceleration could/will help him a lot. Especially since he developped a good active sticks, an improved first three steps would help him convert more of those take aways/steals.
FireGerardGallant
The Artist Formerly known as FireDavidQuinn
- Mar 19, 2016
- 6,656
- 7,576
Personally id rather him be getting into good positions and not scoring then scoring a bunch of fluke goals. Eventually the scoring touch will come, he does have a good enough shot
I'm really happy he's making these improvements in his defensive game, his game along the boards, etc. But if the dude ends up the next Val Nichuskin I'm gonna be pretty sad.
Machinehead
HFNYR MVP
I guess we'll see.
Evolving Hockey gives Kakko a very low expected goals total considering what we see on that chart, so it could be poor shooting ability, but I think it's easily fixable.
Kakko tends to take a half second or make one more move when he's in those HD areas and he needs to learn to rip it immediately.
- Status
