Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[RangersFan1994]

Lol what a shit take, you are talking like he isn't an NHL player at the moment. Even if he never puts up more than 30 points per season for the rest of his career, he would still be in the league because he's that good at cycling and decent defensively.

Glad fans are happy that Rangers drafted a 3rd line defensive forward that can't score with the 2ed overall pick. He can't play with skilled players for a reason, he isn't that skilled offensively

 

[LOFIN]

Glad fans are happy that Rangers drafted a 3rd line defensive forward that can't score with the 2ed overall pick. He can't play with skilled players for a reason, he isn't that skilled offensively

That's your opinion, but still doesn't change the shittyness of your take. He's going to make a long NHL career even as a 3rd liner if that's all he is. Plenty of those players in this league.

 

[RangersFan1994]

That's your opinion, but still doesn't change the shittyness of your take. He's going to make a long NHL career even as a 3rd liner if that's all he is. Plenty of those players in this league.

Plenty of those players drafted 2ed overall?

 

[IDvsEGO]

Glad fans are happy that Rangers drafted a 3rd line defensive forward that can't score with the 2ed overall pick. He can't play with skilled players for a reason, he isn't that skilled offensively

first off. saying he can't play with skilled players is absolutely false.
His rookie year he struggled, no one is sure exactly why he struggled, but there are plenty of theories. But he didnt play well on the first line when he had time.
His sophmore year, he never got a ton of time with skilled players, but when he did, he didnt play poorly.
Last year, he got almost no time in the top 6, but when he was there he was good and produced.

Also no one is saying that they're "happy" with the production out of him at 2nd overall.
What people are saying is that he's absolutely an NHL player, and he's around a .5 ppg player in his career so far, which at 21 means theres still significant room for improvement. He's also very good defensively which is the harder part of the NHL to pick up.
The glimpses we got in the playoffs showed a player that would easily fit into the top 6. And the playoffs are a much harder place to score and kakko was generating chances when sometimes our usual top 6 wasn't.

This constant attack that "he's not an nhl player" is bullshit. I'll repeat myself. No one is happy with his production. But no one should say he's not an nhl player. But they should be willing to see he's still got room to grow. He's only 21.

 

[LOFIN]

Plenty of those players drafted 2ed overall?

What does his draft position have to do with it?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

What does his draft position have to do with it?

Career high of 2nd overall picks who didn't hit 50 points at the same age (D+3 equivalent)

Daniel Sedin: 34
Patrick Marleau: 45
Jordan Staal: 49
David Legwand: 41
Bobby Ryan: 10 (23 games)
James van Riemsdyk: 35
Marc Tardiff: 5 (18 games)
Sam Reinhart: 47
Perry Turnbull: 35
Jacques Richard: 31



Just goes to show you that at age 21, players are far from a finished product. This list doesn't insinuate that Kakko will be as good as some players on this list (Because people always jump to conclusions unable to understand comparisons) but it simply means that players still develop after age 21.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Career high of 2nd overall picks who didn't hit 50 points at the same age (D+3 equivalent)

Daniel Sedin: 34
Patrick Marleau: 45
Jordan Staal: 49
David Legwand: 41
Bobby Ryan: 10 (23 games)
James van Riemsdyk: 35
Marc Tardiff: 5 (18 games)
Sam Reinhart: 47
Perry Turnbull: 35
Jacques Richard: 31



Just goes to show you that at age 21, players are far from a finished product. This list doesn't insinuate that Kakko will be as good as some players on this list (Because people always jump to conclusions unable to understand comparisons) but it simply means that players still develop after age 21.

Why is the barrier 50? Kakko hasn't even hit 25, the only guys listed there who had lower career highs at this stage are Ryan & Tardiff. Tardiff was born in the 1940's lol, this comparison is not favorable for Kakko whatsoever. So aside from Bobby Ryan, the last guy who turned out a decent player as a 2nd overall pick with Kakko's level of production was born in the 1940's.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Why is the barrier 50? Kakko hasn't even hit 25, the only guys listed there who had lower career highs at this stage are Ryan & Tardiff. Tardiff was born in the 1940's lol, this comparison is not favorable for Kakko whatsoever. So aside from Bobby Ryan, the last guy who turned out a decent player as a 2nd overall pick with Kakko's level of production was born in the 1940's.

Kakko scoring 18 points but in 43 games, is about 36 points in a full season.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Why is the barrier 50? Kakko hasn't even hit 25, the only guys listed there who had lower career highs at this stage are Ryan & Tardiff. Tardiff was born in the 1940's lol, this comparison is not favorable for Kakko whatsoever. So aside from Bobby Ryan, the last guy who turned out a decent player as a 2nd overall pick with Kakko's level of production was born in the 1940's.

DING DING DING DING DING. I found the idiot who doesn't understand what the post was about (despite it being explained).

Read the last paragraph of that post.

THE.POINT.IS.THAT.PLAYERS.ARE.NOT.DONE.DEVELOPING.AT.AGE.21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[EdJovanovski]

DING DING DING DING DING. I found the idiot who doesn't understand what the post was about (despite it being explained).

Read the last paragraph of that post.

THE.POINT.IS.THAT.PLAYERS.ARE.NOT.DONE.DEVELOPING.AT.AGE.21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huh?
You're using these guys as examples of 2nd overall picks who didn't have great production by the end of their D+3, and still went on to have good careers; no?
While their production at age 21 wasn't good, Kakko has a lower career high at the same age than all but 2 of them. One of which was born in the 1940's.

What point are you trying to get across? Players aren't done developing sure, but you just proved that only two 2nd overall picks born in the last 73 years had as bad of production as Kakko at the same age and went on to be good players.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Glad fans are happy that Rangers drafted a 3rd line defensive forward that can't score with the 2ed overall pick. He can't play with skilled players for a reason, he isn't that skilled offensively

I think he’s plenty skilled offensively , I think he lacks other traits like motor, iq, and/or the right attitude

Anyway I’ve always said, if Buchnevich could become a good 2-way, 75 point player by age 26 then Kakko could too , the idea that he’s not NHL caliber is not even close to being true. the problem is when you draft players high you want a more instant impact

 

[RangersFan1994]

I think he’s plenty skilled offensively , I think he lacks other traits like motor, iq, and/or the right attitude

Anyway I’ve always said, if Buchnevich could become a good 2-way, 75 point player by age 26 then Kakko could too , the idea that he’s not NHL caliber is not even close to being true. the problem is when you draft players high you want a more instant impact

In 3 years besides his injuries. He has not shown much improvement besides defensively and board work. I don't think he has much confidence in a scoring role

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

 

[The Crypto Guy]

That speed, that shot, but most importantly, that smile! Incoming 80 point player

 

[QJL]

Kakko scoring 18 points but in 43 games, is about 36 points in a full season.

How many points is it in a full season if he plays 18 minutes a night, sticks in the top 6, and gets 2+ minutes of PP time a night?

My math says he’s likely scratching 45 points in that scenario.

 

[Aurinko]

How many points is it in a full season if he plays 18 minutes a night, sticks in the top 6, and gets 2+ minutes of PP time a night?

My math says he’s likely scratching 45 points in that scenario.

Completely dependent on team mates. With last season production it would be 40 pts (18pts/43gms*82gms/15.5TOI*18TOI=40pts), but that came with mostly non top 6 role and only 1min pp.

If he hasn't gone forward and plays the same role with increased minutes PLUS increased pp-time, 45 pts is pretty much what he should end up with.

My guess is that he gets increased offensive role he would get (~50pts) PLUS he should have taken physical and mental steps... I'll go with 60pts minimum and bit over if they play him with the top dogs.

 

[Jukurit]

Wow, it's a nice slap shot.

 

[Casper The Soy Ghost]

Dude skated all the way from Norway into that shot. It'd be more interesting to see that shot with a normal skating stretch.

 

[NickyFotiu]

The Rangers went like 100 years without drafting top 2 so they obviously have no experience or idea what they're doing when it comes to putting these top talents in positions to succeed. We could have taken Zegras, Raymond, Stutzle etc instead and they'd be in the same position. Playing with/like grinders, no PP, benched in close games, demoted for turning the puck over or missing a defensive assignment.

Zegras, Stutzle, J. Hughes turn the puck over like crazy and couldn't even locate the defensive zone. But their teams suck and can accept these downsides for the greater good of developing their confidence and offensive game.

No offense but 10 years ago is not very relavant nevermind 100 years ago when developing players. I think the only thing the Rangers could have different with KK is send him to the minors like they did Kreider, Zooks, McD, JT Miller, etc. Expecting guys to be responsible players at the NHL level is the smart thing to do. Its not a negative.

Dude skated all the way from Norway into that shot. It'd be more interesting to see that shot with a normal skating stretch.

Im happy he is on the ice. Really hope we see a 3-4 year jump from him. That is not unusual in pro sports.

 

[GAGLine]

Dude skated all the way from Norway into that shot. It'd be more interesting to see that shot with a normal skating stretch.

Cool. Maybe people will stop complaining about his stamina now.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Geeze, you would think this guy got drafted by the Devils or Isles

 

[Casper The Soy Ghost]

No offense but 10 years ago is not very relavant nevermind 100 years ago when developing players. I think the only thing the Rangers could have different with KK is send him to the minors like they did Kreider, Zooks, McD, JT Miller, etc. Expecting guys to be responsible players at the NHL level is the smart thing to do. Its not a negative.


Im happy he is on the ice. Really hope we see a 3-4 year jump from him. That is not unusual in pro sports.

He needs to become less of a beta male/passenger. He has the tools to be a pain in the ass top 6 FWD who kills you down low, hopefully he realizes this.

We should hire Jagr as a consultant. Let him show Kakko how to put up that ass and shield the puck using it.

 

[duhmetreE]

 

[NickyFotiu]

He needs to become less of a beta male/passenger. He has the tools to be a pain in the ass top 6 FWD who kills you down low, hopefully he realizes this.

We should hire Jagr as a consultant. Let him show Kakko how to put up that ass and shield the puck using it.

I agree but Id like to also see him do something with the puck after he protects it. I think this is a pivotal season for him as a Ranger. I think he will have to show more this season.

 

[bhamill]

I'll just say its really weird how NYR fans are doing logical contortions to try to cement a NYR 2nd Overall pick as a bust/non NHLer at the age of 21... when he's already been playing at an NHL level for at least two seasons...
Plenty of high picks, I'm not sure why we have to be 2nd overall specific, take a while to develop.
Huberdeau was 3rd overall. Was .41 ppg in his D+3 (Kakko just scored .42 in his while playing injured for about 10 games) .68 ppg in D+4, .86 in D+5. And that wasn't during COVID times which is a negative developmental factor, whether anyone wants to deny it or not.
It's easy to find examples like this. Mika, a 6th overall, scored .48 ppg in his D+3, then .58 in his D+4 and .63 in his D+5 before OTT stupidly gave up on him.
How's about we hold off on the "He's not an NHL player." and "He'll never be more than a 3rd liner." absolute nonsense. Yes, we'd ALL like to have seen MORE... but he is very f***in far from a finished product. If Kakko doesn't improve this season, there's cause for concern, but even at the end of it he will still only be 22.