Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part V

[CasusBelli]

Kid can be the next Hossa imo.

Same build, stride, ability to shield the puck, and defensive instincts. He needs to work on his skating and shot — very doable. The instincts are there.

 

[LokiDog]

What’s Mikko got ya drinking, Kaap?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

View attachment 462943
What’s Mikko got ya drinking, Kaap?

Probably Kukko beer

 

[dangsLITE]

good to see he still has a visible jawline

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Kakko looks blasted lmao

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Also answer to what he’s drinking= EdJovo’s tears

 

[LOFIN]

What’s Mikko got ya drinking, Kaap?

I very much do like the fact that Kakko and Rantanen are hanging out together. Not really a better mentor for Kakko than one of the best wingers in the league, from his native town. And to me they both have similar playing styles. Rantanen definitely has the better shot, but he's already a beast against the boards and I think Kakko can become even better. And that's saying something when some Finns and Avs fans have already called Rantanen the Finnish Jagr with his big ass.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Yes! Everyone is built differently. That's cool and you have an advantage over most athletes your age, naturally. Something similar happened to me too.

I've played tons of sports my entire life, but I absolutely hated running. About 3 years ago after moving to a nicer neighborhood I just felt a need to try running so I pushed myself to start. I became absolutely addicted to it. I run over 1000K a year now. A few friends asked me if I wanted to run a 5k and I placed very highly for a 40 year old. I freakin medaled in my age group in the 2nd 5K that I ever ran and I had no idea what I was doing with my running stride, training, proper sneakers, etc.

All I knew about was proper diet that literally took me years of playing hockey to figure out. That in of itself is of upmost importance as you get older - but thats another story all together.

I continued to run and later read a book called "The Lore of Running" which is considered the bible of running. Written by a physician and research scientist it gives you incomparable detail on physiology, training, racing, injuries, world-class athletes, and races. I read about how some people just naturally have a physiological advantage and I assumed I was in that category. You are too it seems.

I can skate for hours. I can chase a ball (hoops/football) for hours but I could never run just to run. I get so bored. How do you get over the boredom just running?

 

[brakeyawself]

I can skate for hours. I can chase a ball (hoops/football) for hours but I could never run just to run. I get so bored. How do you get over the boredom just running?

Some people zone out. Which, is kind of like meditation I think. Some of us with more hyperactive brains, attention spans, possibly ADD, find it much more difficult. I guess some people are dogs, some people are cats. Those of us who cant shut off the mental action are the cats, always having to chase something, while dogs just run.

Interestingly, I feel like "cat-like" people like having dogs as pets. Maybe dog-like people like having cats more as pets. lol

I can't really turn my brain off, ever. Feel like I'm always in constant vigilance. Always seemed like my cats knew something was happening, someone was coming, before my dogs, but the cats would just go and hide, ready to pounce, while the dogs get all barky. But also, when I'd wake my cats up they jump, like ready for a fight, while my dogs always wake up droopy eyed and relatively slower. Oddly enough, even when I'm sleeping. Or at least I've been told I occasionally sleep with my eyes sort of opened.

But it makes running for running sake, nearly impossible for me.

 

[brakeyawself]

Same build, stride, ability to shield the puck, and defensive instincts. He needs to work on his skating and shot — very doable. The instincts are there.

His shooting/scoring is what concerns me most. At least, I think he still needs tons of work in that department. He's not a bad shooter, but just not quite up to snuff to be a top threat on the wing.

 

[brakeyawself]

I was surprised to find out my VO2 max is in line with typically the very top performers in the NHL draft combine. Turns out when I looked at my blood test results over the last 5 years my body naturally has an elevated red blood cell count (which vastly improves VO2 max performance). Apparently having a high RBC count can be bad for you but no doctor has ever expressed concern and just said my results were normal, even though I’m outside of normal range

I was too, before I smoked for 20 years. In my 20's and early 30's I could literally play whatever sport while smoking. Playing outfield gets really boring sometimes lol.

But now I think it's finally catching up with me. Thank goodness for vaping.

 

[CasusBelli]

His shooting/scoring is what concerns me most. At least, I think he still needs tons of work in that department. He's not a bad shooter, but just not quite up to snuff to be a top threat on the wing.

In all fairness, Hoss could also get to top speed in three strides when he was in his early-mid 20s, so perhaps there’s more to be done in that department too.

 

[Fitzy]

His shooting/scoring is what concerns me most. At least, I think he still needs tons of work in that department. He's not a bad shooter, but just not quite up to snuff to be a top threat on the wing.

I'll counter with the fact that this never stopped either Rick Nash or Alex Frolov from posting many 30 goal seasons.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'll counter with the fact that this never stopped either Rick Nash or Alex Frolov from posting many 30 goal seasons.

The King of the wrap around.

 

[dshea19]

I think Kakko's goal scoring woes are related to hesitation more than anything else. With more clearly defined purpose from the coach, the hesitation will disappear and the goals will come.

 

[Levitate]

I'll counter with the fact that this never stopped either Rick Nash or Alex Frolov from posting many 30 goal seasons.

Nash was a pretty accurate shooter. He didn't have an overpowering shot but he placed it well

 

[will1066]

Kakko will be fine

 

[Sisu4ever]

I wonder if Kakko will play in the Peking olympics? Probably hard to tell at this point. NHL players are now eligible to partake (unless the covid situation changes the plans)

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I wonder if Kakko will play in the Peking olympics? Probably hard to tell at this point. NHL players are now eligible to partake (unless the covid situation changes the plans)

Man, I haven't heard anyone refer to the city as Peking in decades.

On topic though: Kakko has the chance to earn a spot. Finland isn't that deep on RW

 

[huerter]

I hope Kakko makes Finland and Trouba makes Canada.

 

[GAGLine]

Nash was a pretty accurate shooter. He didn't have an overpowering shot but he placed it well

Nash tried to stickhandle the puck into the net more often than not.

 

[Levitate]

Nash tried to stickhandle the puck into the net more often than not.

Nah in his years under AV he shot the puck a lot

 

[Sisu4ever]

Man, I haven't heard anyone refer to the city as Peking in decades.

Lol didn't realize, not enough coffee yet this morning. Of course I meant Beijing . Born a Finn always a Finn, I guess.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I hope Kakko makes Finland and Trouba makes Canada.

Why would Trouba be on Canada?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Why would Trouba be on Canada?

Swapping passports with Howden