And Kakko hasn't flashed elite skill? Have you been watching at all?
Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part IV
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FireGerardGallant
The Artist Formerly known as FireDavidQuinn
- Mar 19, 2016
- 6,656
- 7,576
Have you not seen Kakko dummy players some shifts this season?????
KirkAlbuquerque
#WeNeverGetAGoodCoach
have not seen any high end playmaking or goal scoring. all his goals were scored on empty nets. 2 secondary assists where he tipped the puck to a teammate. Great, he's shifty along the boards.
at that time nobody. Now too early to tell, but my guess is he will not be top 3 best player in that draft when looking back.
Crease
Chief Justice of the HFNYR Court
- Jul 12, 2004
- 24,767
- 27,709
This is a perfectly sensible take. I’m actually surprised you think he could be the 4th best player in his draft class given how relentlessly negative you are on him.
Peltz
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2019
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I really disagree with you on this one. This kid is going to be a moose. A real puck possessor that can set up plays and finesse some goals around the crease. If he gains a bit of weight, he'll be a monster.
We are talking about flashes, not stats. If you focus only on the plays where he did score then sorry, you are really narrowing your view of the player. If you look at the countless opportunities he's had and some of the nice setups he's created, you start to see a different story. I'm talking about flashes, you're talking about when he scored. If that's the case don't mention the word "flashes" next time. You are using it wrong.
DanielBrassard
It's all so tiresome
I have to say I don't think @KirkAlbuquerque is wrong. As improved as Kakko has been, he really hasn't shown high-end skill, especially with regards to his playmaking and vision. The guy has 0 primary assists this season at 5v5, 1 in his entire career and maybe it's just me but he's not exactly creating shot attempts for his linemates. It's great that he's good along the walls but then it's usually a simple pass back to the point or a sharp angle shot. Hopefully the playmaking comes around eventually.
KirkAlbuquerque
#WeNeverGetAGoodCoach
EdJovanovski
#FreeRempe
When he’s along the boards holding on to the puck it almost seems as if he gets tunnel vision and just skates around with his head down holding on to the puck as long as he can to impress people with his puck control or something lol, he’s not coming off the boards and making plays
Synergy27
F-A-C-G-C-E
Where is this player? The (awesome) vision this kid displayed pre-draft has been nonexistent at the NHL level? A player with that level of vision should have way more assists than Kakko has today. Is y to he NHL games really that much faster than a WC with tons of NHL players in it?
I am just annoyed by poor offensive production and the lack of physical play. It is very frustrating and disappointing having 1st and 2nd overall players and not seeing too many highlight reel plays from them. Kakko is reaching the point where you have to think about trading him to get back good value vs risk him turning out to be a big disappointment. I would definitely trade him for Byfield if that is on the table.
His playmaking and vision will come and it's something he's shown before in previous leagues. The kid had an atrocious rookie season that killed his confidence. He's very slowly coming around but my one main worry with him is his shot. He will need to work on it. He always wants to make that extra deke and he's going to need to depend more on having an accurate quick wrister to score at the NHL level.
Many commented on the fact that it was instantly noticeable that Kakko looked heavier and slower in his rookie season. I'd say the same is true for Laf. The NYR clearly prioritizes bulk and power over speed and agility, at least initially. That's why I'm saying it looks like the Rangers are following the Rantanen template with Kakko. This also means people will have to be patient as the prospects adapt. It's only the last few games that I've felt Kaapo is getting a little of his skating speed back.
Someone mentioned Zegras. Zegras and Stützle haven't bulked up to the degree Kakko and Laf have over one off season.
Also, as I've said previously, I don't think the coach and Kakko (and others players) are on the same page at all when it comes to basic hockey outlook. This coach is a throwback who struggles with the transition game etc. There are a number of teams (not all) I feel Kakko and Laf would be better natural fits on because they have coaches that play a modern dynamic game.
Change the coach.
Synergy27
F-A-C-G-C-E
This seems like reading the stat line and then matching the viewing to it. Even when he was the WOAT NHLer last year his highlights were impressive.
Peltz
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2019
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How can you tell? He's 20. I'm seeing a kid who is not physically mature yet, but is out there trying to get into the dirty areas against some bigger players, and holding his own.
Maybe you should watch some of his highlights from juniors where he was pretty dominant.
KirkAlbuquerque
#WeNeverGetAGoodCoach
every player in the NHL was dominant in juniors thats why they got drafted. His shot isn't good enough right now to score regularly and his playmaking is almost nonexistant. He has almost no speed. What stands out about him other than his boardwork and stick work? I'm glad he's improved in those areas but for a 2nd overall who was supposed to be a franchise winger, I don't see any signs that he has these elite skills, like I have at least seen in flashes from Lafreniere. Also, He's not a rookie anymore, he's not even a teenager anymore. His physique doesn't seem immature at all, strength isn't his problem.
Not going to write him off though until I see him under a different coach. Laf also struggling so much makes me think the coach has a lot of blame
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HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
If you look at his Dad and how he filled out he's gonna be a truck
Peltz
Registered User
- Oct 4, 2019
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EdJovanovski
#FreeRempe
His dad is a fatso lol, people talking about how Kakko is gonna become some giant muscular beast because his dad is fat will never not be funny to me
Both Kakko's and Laf's issue right now is separation. They are both not quick enough yet to create time and space for themselves. It doesn't help that there is no cohesive offensive game plan, which makes it hard to know where your line mates are and to setup plays that throws off the defense.
I think the combination of them getting quicker, a different coach, and a fair shake at top minutes will shine a different light on these kids next season.
I think the combination of them getting quicker, a different coach, and a fair shake at top minutes will shine a different light on these kids next season.
Highlight reel plays? Pretty childish. The idea is to create goals while limiting the opponents chances; not creating highlights so Ranger fans can brag to their friends. He is on his way to stardom as is Laf. Quinn's way of developing them is stunting their offensive progress while they develop the other side of the game. Patience. I would prefer Quinn treated them differently but I am not blaming the kids for being good teammates at this point.
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