Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[Crease]

Thank Jesus. I would not have been able to cope with #45. That’s just...ugh it shouldn’t even be allowed.

Such an ugly number. Belongs on a 7th defenseman.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

I also think he will climb over 100 points hes rookie season, but this only if he gets some chemistry with the top players in rangers and play all 82 games, I stated it earlier in a Kaapo Kakko thread also.

I'm not gonna chime in on the generational or not discussion. I just want to say that 100 points from Kakko is pipe dream level.

Don't get me wrong, I call Kakko a "veni, vidi, vici"-type player. But 100 points as a rookie puts him with Crosby, Ovi and McJesus ... just don't see it happening.

 

[fr9dd9]

I'm not gonna chime in on the generational or not discussion. I just want to say that 100 points from Kakko is pipe dream level.

Don't get me wrong, I call Kakko a "veni, vidi, vici"-type player. But 100 points as a rookie puts him with Crosby, Ovi and McJesus ... just don't see it happening.

Okey, well I will say this anyway. All these people saying hes not a generational talent cant be thinking straight, Kakko dominated Alot more then alot of generational players compared on how they did at WC when they where 18. And they played back when hockey was no where near as it is today. Im not saying he is generational. Just that he should be seen as a generational talent. Yeah well I like being optimistic, and to me it actually feels like he will do that.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Okey, well I will say this anyway. All these people saying hes not a generational talent cant be thinking straight.

Stuff like this is just dumb to say.

I get being confident and having evidence to support your idea but there's more to being generational than just what Kakko did in his hockey career so far. I wouldn't dismiss the possibility but it currently looks like he won't be the single greatest player of this entire generation. Not exactly disappointing to fall short of that bar. Too high of a bar.

 

[Kovalev27]

I’d be thrilled with 45 to 55 pts from Kakko as an 18 year old. Anything more would be unreal.

 

[fr9dd9]

Stuff like this is just dumb to say.

I get being confident and having evidence to support your idea but there's more to being generational than just what Kakko did in his hockey career so far. I wouldn't dismiss the possibility but it currently looks like he won't be the single greatest player of this entire generation. Not exactly disappointing to fall short of that bar. Too high of a bar.

I would not say theres only been about 4 players that is seen as generational so far in 100 years of nhl hockey? But if thats the case I change my mind. Cuz theres just no way of knowing that. He have the potential thoe, Id say that.

Again I have to say that I only say he should be seen as generational talent. Not generational, its way to early to say. But the fact that hes done things no other 18 year old has done should say something. At least to me it does.

 

[fr9dd9]

100 points? This is madness. Get ready to be disappointed

I really dont care, he could do 50 points and id still be happy. But I think he could become the first rookie to crack 100 in a long time. Id be super exited if that happened. Its not like id bet my life on it.

 

[fr9dd9]

I’d be thrilled with 45 to 55 pts from Kakko as an 18 year old. Anything more would be unreal.

Unreal? Hah, okey. You dont think much of him I see.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Kakko #24

 

[broadwayblue]

Kakko #24

Has the team confirmed?

 

[RangersFan1994]

Has the team confirmed?

https://nypost.com/2019/09/10/rangers-facing-training-camp-without-tony-deangelo-brendan-lemieux/

Matt Beleskey will be assigned directly to the AHL Wolf Pack and thus will not attend Rangers’ camp, The Post has learned. Beleskey, the 31-year-old winger obtained from Boston as part of the 2017 pre-deadline package in return for Rick Nash, will carry a cap charge of $825,000 in Hartford. … Lemieux and DeAngelo are both taking part in the informal skates at the Blueshirts’ practice rink. … Boo Nieves, who has worn No. 24 the last two years, has switched at his own request to No. 15. That will allow Kakko to don the No. 24 he has worn in Finland.

 

[broadwayblue]

https://nypost.com/2019/09/10/rangers-facing-training-camp-without-tony-deangelo-brendan-lemieux/

Matt Beleskey will be assigned directly to the AHL Wolf Pack and thus will not attend Rangers’ camp, The Post has learned. Beleskey, the 31-year-old winger obtained from Boston as part of the 2017 pre-deadline package in return for Rick Nash, will carry a cap charge of $825,000 in Hartford. … Lemieux and DeAngelo are both taking part in the informal skates at the Blueshirts’ practice rink. … Boo Nieves, who has worn No. 24 the last two years, has switched at his own request to No. 15. That will allow Kakko to don the No. 24 he has worn in Finland.

Yes, read that last night. A good sign, but not an official announcement.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Yes, read that last night. A good sign, but not an official announcement.

i know but it as close as it can be at this point. i wonder when the Rangers will officially release their training camp roster. Haley and Brassard the only tryouts as of now

 

[Lepardi]

Don't get me wrong, I call Kakko a "veni, vidi, vici"-type player. But 100 points as a rookie puts him with Crosby, Ovi and McJesus ... just don't see it happening.

Even McDavid only scored at about 88-point pace in his rookie season. Scoring has gone up since then though.

Kakko might be generational by Finnish standards especially if Brad Lambert and Aron Kiviharju don't become superstars. By international standards he's not even close to being generational.

 

[LokiDog]

IF Kaako has a really exceptional, Calder worthy season, I could see 30+ goals, 65 points. I would hardly expect that by any means, but I think that’s a realistic dream outcome for us. Hoping for point per game or better is setting yourself for disappointment. Even EXPECTING 60+ points is a pretty tall order. I think that’s the range where I would be THRILLED.

 

[Trxjw]

I'm expecting something between Laine and Barkov for Kaapo. Given that he's not a center and has a better supporting cast than the 13/14 Panthers he should out perform that stat line. Especially if he spends meaningful time with Zibanejad or Panarin, which he ought to. The 16/17 Jets are more on par with what to expect from this year's Rangers if things break well for them. However, Laine is a unique player and I don't expect Kaapo to be scoring seemingly at will on the power-play.

Somewhere in that 20g/30A range would be an excellent debut all things considered.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Watching that video, Kakko was in mid-season/playoff form which he was nowhere near at Traverse.

Scary, considering the 4 point game and OT winner he had after being sick for a week.

If Kakko plays with Zib and Panarin the sky is the limit for him, honestly. How many times did we see him make a deft, quick pass around the net only for his teammate to miss the opportunity? Zib and Panarin bury those 9 out of 10 times. It sure is going to be a treat to watch that line perform every night.

 

[Lepardi]

Zib and Panarin bury those 9 out of 10 times. It sure is going to be a treat to watch that line perform every night.

There is no player in the NHL that buries even 50 percent of their grade A scoring chances.

Even if Kakko gets to play with Zibanejad and Panarin, you can expect to see plenty of Finnish fans complaining about how Kakko would get at least 3 assists per game if his linemates weren't such scrubs and capitalized on Kaapo's wonderful passes more often.

 

[ijuka]

I doubt he'll score 100 points. But I also think 65 points as his ideal performance also is a bit conservative, considering I think Kakko will be better than Laine his first season. I certainly expect him to score more than Laine did.

 

[Maximus]

I was thinking 60-65 points after he was drafted and said so but was told by some I was nuts....we'll see but I'm feeling pretty good about that projection.

Speaking of projections, I'm sure I'm not the only one who is in fantasy hockey leagues in here. I got my 22 year old(can't believe it's been that long...dang), fantasy draft coming up in a few weeks and was wondering around what rounds your thinking our boy Kakko will go.

Me personally top of my head, I was thinking maybe 6th-7th round in a normal 23 round draft. I admit I may be off seeing I haven't done my prep work yet as I've been too involved with football prep, other than go to a few of my go to sites for a peak at some projections.

Anyways, I know this is not a fantasy forum and so if any of y'all are also fantasy hockey owners like moi, send me a private PM and I'll set up a private convo room for us to discuss Kakko and any other players if you want.

 

[BB88]

Where he plays makes a huge difference with this Rangers team.

With Panarin he could be deadly from the start, but if you ask him to drive a line at the start of his career at 18y I would lower the expectations by a mile.

 

[ohbaby]

65 points...... I think that’s a realistic dream outcome for us.

If he remains healthy, and plays on the first line, this is a realistic expectation. If Panarin gets his 80 pts, and Ziba's 70 pts, you got to figure Kakko is somewhere in the ballpark with these two. 60 to 70 is fairly realistic. Which IMO would a be fantastic rookie year.

Prior to last year, if you scored 60 pts, you would lead this team in scoring.

I could see Kakko and Ziba setting up Panarin's one-timers all night long. In fact all three have good one-timers and will be feeding each other regularly. This line will probably be one of the better lines in the NHL.

With Panarin's ability to enter the zone with control of the puck, and Kakko's penchant in protecting the puck, they will be a handful to defend against.

 

[Krams]

 

[Shesterkybomb]

You cant have generational players every draft....
Actual Generational players
Gretzky, Lemieux, Lindros, Jagr, Crosby, McDavid.....Matthews, Marner, Kappo, Hughes Eichel, Petterson are excellent players, more annual players than generational lol.

 

[Lepardi]

Gretzky, Lemieux, Lindros, Jagr, Crosby, McDavid...

Kurri, Selänne, Koivu, Barkov...

If Kakko can join that list, I'll be very happy with his career.