Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part V

[Inferno]

Bleached Zangief from Street Fighter

Hated when I got him on random select...if I couldn't get akuma,ryu, or Ken...I would use cammy. I'd f***ing wreck with her.

 

[eco's bones]

Its no secret I've strongly suspected our organization was incompetent off the ice but that's another level if true. Maybe there's some small guidance and they check in but let guys choose from a bevy of off season options while keeping tabs?

I just...I'm really struggling to believe an organization in a rebuild didn't have off season regimens and plans for these kids. Even though that'd reinforce my own narrative that Gorton was horribly overrated, damn near dog shit tier as a GM, I want to believe there's more to it

Certainly helps explain why we're seeing so many issues with prospects and players.

Not sure where you are going with this but I don’t find it very persuasive. First off the Rangers have skills coaches, video coaches and trainers with knowledge on nutrition to work with the players. All kinds of gym equipment. A player like Kakko already has special knowledge on nutrition just because of his diabetes and celiac disease and celiac is also classified as an auto immune disorder by the way which makes me wonder if he’s one of the 10/15 unvaccinated players because some auto immune disorders qualify as an legit exemption for Covid vaccination.

During the season there is only limited practice time. It is a team and other players are working on improving too and practice is usually also used with upcoming games in mind. In the offseason a lot of Rangers train at the Prentiss gym and the owner tailor makes training programs for each of them. He is a paid consultant for the Rangers. Most of the European players like Kakko though go home to train in Europe in the off season and I can’t blame them for that. I most probably would too. Kakko is known to train with TPS linked players. Among those he trains with are Mikko Rantanen who is legit elite player and a fine example for anyone to follow. Also among those he trains with are Georgiev and Pajuniemi.

 

[eco's bones]

This site sometimes really blows. Off goes a flash and there goes the post into the f***ing ether. I posted the above 4 times to finally get it to go.

 

[Irishguy42]

The Celiac Disease Foundation has reported that it's safe for those with the celiac disease to get the vaccine, and being a celiac, by itself, does not make one more at risk for severe infections if they don't have the vaccine and get COVID-19. The CDC/ADA recommends the vaccine for those with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Would be safe to assume Kakko got vaccinated.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Hated when I got him on random select...if I couldn't get akuma,ryu, or Ken...I would use cammy. I'd f***ing wreck with her.

Guile was my guy, and Kakko could pass for him too.

 

[will1066]

Guile was my guy, and Kakko could pass for him too.

Dux is my man.

 

[eco's bones]

The Celiac Disease Foundation has reported that it's safe for those with the celiac disease to get the vaccine, and being a celiac, by itself, does not make one more at risk for severe infections if they don't have the vaccine and get COVID-19. The CDC/ADA recommends the vaccine for those with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Would be safe to assume Kakko got vaccinated.

That is good to hear and not just for Kakko but for others too.

 

[Levitate]

Not sure where you are going with this but I don’t find it very persuasive. First off the Rangers have skills coaches, video coaches and trainers with knowledge on nutrition to work with the players. All kinds of gym equipment. A player like Kakko already has special knowledge on nutrition just because of his diabetes and celiac disease and celiac is also classified as an auto immune disorder by the way which makes me wonder if he’s one of the 10/15 unvaccinated players because some auto immune disorders qualify as an legit exemption for Covid vaccination.

During the season there is only limited practice time. It is a team and other players are working on improving too and practice is usually also used with upcoming games in mind. In the offseason a lot of Rangers train at the Prentiss gym and the owner tailor makes training programs for each of them. He is a paid consultant for the Rangers. Most of the European players like Kakko though go home to train in Europe in the off season and I can’t blame them for that. I most probably would too. Kakko is known to train with TPS linked players. Among those he trains with are Mikko Rantanen who is legit elite player and a fine example for anyone to follow. Also among those he trains with are Georgiev and Pajuniemi.

I suspect they more or less give players guidelines that they expect them to work towards but aren't like, designing an entire diet and workout regime that they expect the players to follow to a T. I'm not sure any team does that

 

[eco's bones]

I suspect they more or less give players guidelines that they expect them to work towards but aren't like, designing an entire diet and workout regime that they expect the players to follow to a T. I'm not sure any team does that

A lot of good habits are picked up from watching the vets and guys like Kreider, Trouba and Zibanejad are all good example types.

 

[GigaChad]

This is my character in Assassins Creed Valhalla in modern gym clothes.

Lmao

 

[Ola]

I assume I'm misreading the first quote.

This is the highest pro level and they don't have a 2nd overall pick under specific training guidelines? Just leave him and everyone else to do whatever? I really hope that's translation issue

A NHL team has no/little control of a player during the off-season.

I am not sure if we are super keen on him not working out with Prentiss, but its not something we can do anything about.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

A NHL team has no/little control of a player during the off-season.

Kakko isn't saying "they can't control me so I ignored what they want".

He said they don't offer any guidance. Just "we expect you to be in shape"

Now maybe he just didn't go into particulars but even high schools at least go over recommended strength and Conditioning programs for players, oftentimes catered to players positions or skillset. I assume they at least give basic recommendations for workouts or training facilities a player can use in their area and kakko just undersold it

 

[2014nyr]

Kakko isn't saying "they can't control me so I ignored what they want".

He said they don't offer any guidance. Just "we expect you to be in shape"

Now maybe he just didn't go into particulars but even high schools at least go over recommended strength and Conditioning programs for players, oftentimes catered to players positions or skillset. I assume they at least give basic recommendations for workouts or training facilities a player can use in their area and kakko just undersold it

i'd be surprised if they got that detailed. he got to being a 2nd overall pick with his own trainers / programs. i'm sure they give feedback on areas they'd like to see him improve, but give him the latitude to get there on his own. if he wanted more guidance i'm sure they'd provide it, but thats the way it is for every team.

my guess would be the team is more detailed on the nutritional side, where they want guys to be weight / fitness wise etc.

i thought the interview was great. i've seen some comments that he was blunt, thats just the way most fins are in my experience - not at all disrespectful just direct in answering questions. sidenote one of the best cultures in the world...such an integrity ingrained in it and great sense of humor...never met a bad fin. i liked his responses to questions about himself / quinn. seemed to appreciate quinn genuinely looking out for him, refused to throw him under the bus as having held him back. thought he was mature in looking back and saying he didn't meet his own expectations, knew he was a much better player last year and expects more this year etc. acknowledged while he didn't get a ton of time on top lines, he did get a decent amount of opportunities on them and didn't produce - zero complaints or self pity. very, very confident he takes a big step in production this year.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

i'd be surprised if they got that detailed. he got to being a 2nd overall pick with his own trainers / programs. i'm sure they give feedback on areas they'd like to see him improve, but give him the latitude to get there on his own. if he wanted more guidance i'm sure they'd provide it, but thats the way it is for every team.

my guess would be the team is more detailed on the nutritional side, where they want guys to be weight / fitness wise etc.

i thought the interview was great. i've seen some comments that he was blunt, thats just the way most fins are in my experience - not at all disrespectful just direct in answering questions. sidenote one of the best cultures in the world...such an integrity ingrained in it and great sense of humor...never met a bad fin. i liked his responses to questions about himself / quinn. seemed to appreciate quinn genuinely looking out for him, refused to throw him under the bus as having held him back. thought he was mature in looking back and saying he didn't meet his own expectations, knew he was a much better player last year and expects more this year etc. acknowledged while he didn't get a ton of time on top lines, he did get a decent amount of opportunities on them and didn't produce - zero complaints or self pity. very, very confident he takes a big step in production this year.

The things that get a kid drafted don't necessarily translate to maximum pro development. The game itself changes. Bodies, diets, training, etc need to change too. I don't think an 18 year old necessary has learned how best to be a pro.

To not have ANY recommendations, programs, etc is abysmal if true. Especially for a rebuild.

 

[Levitate]

The things that get a kid drafted don't necessarily translate to maximum pro development. The game itself changes. Bodies, diets, training, etc need to change too. I don't think an 18 year old necessary has learned how best to be a pro.

To not have ANY recommendations, programs, etc is abysmal if true. Especially for a rebuild.

He was working and is working with a professional trainer who trains professional athletes including superstar NHLers

Even in shit like the NFL guys don't have their hands held in the offseason, they have their own trainers

Maybe if he came to the Rangers and was like "yeah I don't really have a trainer, not sure how to work on improving the things I want" they will give him guidance, but working with a well known and pro trainer is probably sufficient for most NHL teams to expect out of their players and prospects

 

[Ola]

Kakko isn't saying "they can't control me so I ignored what they want".

He said they don't offer any guidance. Just "we expect you to be in shape"

Now maybe he just didn't go into particulars but even high schools at least go over recommended strength and Conditioning programs for players, oftentimes catered to players positions or skillset. I assume they at least give basic recommendations for workouts or training facilities a player can use in their area and kakko just undersold it

I would bet money on that we wanted him to work out with the crew with Prentiss but that Kakko didn’t take that advice.

Also think there is a fairly significant difference between the approach under P and Finland. With P it’s much much more about slimming down and making every pound count in an optimal way. I think that approach is much better suited for today’s game. But at the same time, a 20 y/o might need a bit of both.

 

[Chytilmania]

I would bet money on that we wanted him to work out with the crew with Prentiss but that Kakko didn’t take that advice.

Also think there is a fairly significant difference between the approach under P and Finland. With P it’s much much more about slimming down and making every pound count in an optimal way. I think that approach is much better suited for today’s game. But at the same time, a 20 y/o might need a bit of both.

Everyone has their home town guys they want to stay loyal to. And between COVID and the season I'm sure the kids wanted to go home and recharge the batteries. I guess it was easier for Kakko to go home and train with Rantanen consistently instead of going home and coming back during the offseason and breaking up the training.
Hopefully Laf was training with Crosby's guy while home.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

The Rangers 100000% have designed programs for players based on what they need. We've heard multiple players/prospects talk about this.

At the same time, they don't necessarily need to do this either. If a player is looking to get quicker feet/more explosive/whatever, a good trainer will know how to put together a program to help maximize sport specific results. These guys aren't dummies, they know where their weaknesses are and if they care enough, will seek out help to improve them.

 

[will1066]

The Rangers 100000% have designed programs for players based on what they need. We've heard multiple players/prospects talk about this.

At the same time, they don't necessarily need to do this either. If a player is looking to get quicker feet/more explosive/whatever, a good trainer will know how to put together a program to help maximize sport specific results. These guys aren't dummies, they know where their weaknesses are and if they care enough, will seek out help to improve them.

Exactly. It's called the hockey operations department. I remember it underwent management changes with the new regime in there now. Leetch and Richards were advisors on on-ice and off-ice development in Gorton and JD's regime.

 

[eco's bones]

I actually think Kakko’s interview speaks more to his frustration at not being as productive as he hoped…..and to be honest his first season he wasn’t really ready for the NHL. He was knocked over easily, frequently gassed and his two way game was atrocious. He improved quite a lot last year. It’s just the production numbers need to come up. IMO he was a bit snakebit but also sometimes that extra little move, that little bit of hesitation takes away your chance. He has a clear path into our top 6 though. I expect his numbers to improve. Next year’s interview should it happen about this time might be a lot different.

 

[LyNX27]

Any idea if Kakko has changed his stick to be stiffer now that he's put on the muscle?

I remember he was resistant to moving to a stiffer stick when he first came to the NHL despite how much the coaches and trainers were suggesting it. If he put on another 15 pounds between start of last season to this season and he still has that whip, it might be interesting for him to increase the flex, and I'd be excited to see what that does to his shot.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Any idea if Kakko has changed his stick to be stiffer now that he's put on the muscle?

I remember he was resistant to moving to a stiffer stick when he first came to the NHL despite how much the coaches and trainers were suggesting it. If he put on another 15 pounds between start of last season to this season and he still has that whip, it might be interesting for him to increase the flex, and I'd be excited to see what that does to his shot.

With how much weight he put on he might be the first player to use a 150 flex stick

 

[FIRE DRURY]

With how much weight he put on he might be the first player to use a 150 flex stick

Pffffttttt....

 

[Lays]

I felt the opposite, thought he came across kind of rude & blunt. But that is common with translations.

To be fair, all Finns come across that way even if they don’t mean it. They’re brutally honest and very deadpan

 

[Kaako Kappo]

I listened the interview and I gotta say, there's nothing rude in it. He doesn't really blame anyone else but himself. I guess he was blunt in saying that players don't suffer equal consequences for what happens on the ice, but that's just the truth.