Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part IV

[RangersFan1994]

Kakko needs a better shot, but he does have the talent. reminds me of Marian Hossa in the way he protects the puck. he was a beast in that aspect of his game

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

First you read an article that it's a make or break season for KK (which is laughable) but I fall into the majority of most comments that by the age of 22+- you will probably see a very good power forward maturing.

or he doesn't quite break out offensively but still is a useful player , signs a cheap ass long term deal, then breaks out !

 

[jay from jersey]

or he doesn't quite break out offensively but still is a useful player , signs a cheap ass long term deal, then breaks out !

Yea, make or break season is a little silly. I do hope he takes a step forward offensively under Gallant though. I like the Hossa comps as well

 

[will1066]

He's going to report at 6'4" 210. Mark my words

 

[molotce]

Yea, make or break season is a little silly. I do hope he takes a step forward offensively under Gallant though. I like the Hossa comps as well

I think he converts more of his good analytics, but his production will be heavily affected by how gallant decides to put his lines together. He tends to try different stuff at first until it clicks and then really sticks to it. He could still be 3rd line et pp2 all next year.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

He's going to report at 6'4" 210. Mark my words

training with Jack Hughes this summer?

 

[Quinnisinoverhishead]

Kakko needs a better shot, but he does have the talent. reminds me of Marian Hossa in the way he protects the puck. he was a beast in that aspect of his game

I agree, but he can improve his shot over an offseason. One of the simplest things to fix. He's going to be an absolute beast next year. I just hope management locks him up long term before he has a breakout year.

 

[CasusBelli]

He's going to report at 6'4" 210. Mark my words

That’s still pretty light. For a power forward of that height, I’d be targeting 220-225.

 

[will1066]

That’s still pretty light. For a power forward of that height, I’d be targeting 220-225.

Please ask @Machinehead as he is the resident height expert.

 

[McRanger92]

After 2 shortened seasons I have my doubts on what Kakko's offensive upside is, but if he turns into an elite defensive winger who puts up 25/25 consistently, id be thrilled

 

[nyr2k2]

That’s still pretty light. For a power forward of that height, I’d be targeting 220-225.

Wasn't he listed at 200 last year? To start the year? Adding 20-25 pounds in one off-season would be really difficult and potentially have an adverse impact on his already mediocre skating.

 

[Machinehead]

Please ask @Machinehead as he is the resident height expert.

At 20, that's actually pretty heavy.

Some guys aren't done completely filling out until 30.

 

[CLW]

At 20, that's actually pretty heavy.

Some guys aren't done completely filling out until 30.

I'm in my 50's and I am apparently not done filling out

 

[jay from jersey]

or he doesn't quite break out offensively but still is a useful player , signs a cheap ass long term deal, then breaks out !

At this point, that’s the ideal situation. He starts breaking out on offense this season. We lock him up to an excellent deal because his number weren’t spectacular, and he progressively turns into a beast we have locked up for pretty cheap

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

At 20, that's actually pretty heavy.

Some guys aren't done completely filling out until 30.

i definitely started "filling out" a ton when I hit 30

 

[jay from jersey]

Ik people didn't like them together on the Kid line but I think they do compliment each other well, they just need the correct center

Yes, not Zibby. A fast Center that drives the net, plays Solid D, and is an above average passer and that line could work. Still both very young to be on the same line but I’m all for it. Give them the minutes until they prove they are so overwhelmed that can do it, then change up the lines. But at least let them have the minutes/pressure situations/ opportunities, etc

 

[jay from jersey]

I’ll be shocked if he gets any votes, but it’s kinda crazy to see the improvement he’s made in a single season. He can be one of the top two way forwards in the league.

Bust... glad he worked hard and got better. Can’t wait til we get more offensive out of him as he gets older and more comfortable.
Confidence is a wonderful thing in this sport, say he pops in 3-4 early goals to start the season, he may be riding high feeling like he can conquer the world

 

[Machinehead]

I'm in my 50's and I am apparently not done filling out

Facts!

But that's part of it. Those of us who aren't professional athletes eat chicken wings and pie and have bellies (guilty as charged!) so we overestimate what normal weight looks like on fit men, which NHL players obliviously are.

The only guys on the Rangers listed as more than 210 are Kreider and Gauthier and they're built like cattle (and the NHL exaggerates too).

I'm 6'2" and thick as shit and if I ate healthy (lmao yeah right) I would be 200 max. You have to be jacked to be 225 even at above average height.

 

[n8]

I’ll be shocked if he gets any votes, but it’s kinda crazy to see the improvement he’s made in a single season. He can be one of the top two way forwards in the league.

Nuke was the player I would have liked for us to have signed over Blackwell. But it's understandable if he chose the Avs over us (but I doubt we even made him an offer)

 

[CasusBelli]

Wasn't he listed at 200 last year? To start the year? Adding 20-25 pounds in one off-season would be really difficult and potentially have an adverse impact on his already mediocre skating.

All good points!

 

[CasusBelli]

After 2 shortened seasons I have my doubts on what Kakko's offensive upside is, but if he turns into an elite defensive winger who puts up 25/25 consistently, id be thrilled

At this point neither a bust nor a PPG player would surprise me.

 

[haohmaru]

At this point neither a bust nor a PPG player would surprise me.

He was one of the better two way forwards on the team. I don't think bust is in the crystal ball.

 

[CasusBelli]

He was one of the better two way forwards on the team. I don't think bust is in the crystal ball.

I meant offensively. You’re right that “at worst” he would probably be a 35 point defensive specialist on the third line and first PK. I would just consider that a disappointment for a 2OA.

 

[haohmaru]

I meant offensively. You’re right that “at worst” he would probably be a 35 point defensive specialist on the third line and first PK. I would just consider that a disappointment for a 2OA.

Meh, he's 20 years old. Way too early for this conversation, IMHO. He's got some pretty stiff competition on wing, too. I was happy with his development last year.

 

[CasusBelli]

Meh, he's 20 years old. Way too early for this conversation, IMHO. He's got some pretty stiff competition on wing, too. I was happy with his development last year.

Same. If he works on his conditioning, agility, acceleration and shot, he’ll be okay.