Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[EdJovanovski]

1:57 in is the one I remember

That thumbnail

 

[gravey9]

I love you but man the bar for this guy is low
Who would've thought in 2019 that we'd be saying well yea his career high going into his D+4 may be 23pts, but at least he managed to get a girlfriend

We all want to see more from Kakko and all the kids. But when you look at even strength point totals across the whole team (because the kids get next to no PP time). The kids, including Kakko, aren’t that far off with their point production.

If Kakko played an 82 game season and scored at the same pace he would have ended up with roughly 30 EV points for the year. Same pace as Lafreniere. And only 2 Rangers had a pace of more than 43 EV strength points last season Mika and Bread.

Kakko and Laffy getting top PP minutes over 82 would have put them in the 45-50 point range. At age 20 and 21 respectively.

That said, can Kakko get better? Can his skating improve? Could he dominate more shifts? Yup. Could one expect him to do that at age 24 or 25? In his prime. Yup. He will get there. But will we have the patience to see the fruits of our rebuild thru? I have my doubts.

 

[bhamill]

We all want to see more from Kakko and all the kids. But when you look at even strength point totals across the whole team (because the kids get next to no PP time). The kids, including Kakko, aren’t that far off with their point production.

If Kakko played an 82 game season and scored at the same pace he would have ended up with roughly 30 EV points for the year. Same pace as Lafreniere. And only 2 Rangers had a pace of more than 43 EV strength points last season Mika and Bread.

Kakko and Laffy getting top PP minutes over 82 would have put them in the 45-50 point range. At age 20 and 21 respectively.

That said, can Kakko get better? Can his skating improve? Could he dominate more shifts? Yup. Could one expect him to do that at age 24 or 25? In his prime. Yup. He will get there. But will we have the patience to see the fruits of our rebuild thru? I have my doubts.

Yeah. I mean I get wanting more, I do as well, but people act like he just finished his non COVID times d+5 and played a bunch of 80 game seasons. Hahaha. He’s played fewer regular season games than two full seasons, a chunk of it he played injured. Arguably his best hockey was the last 19 games… in the playoffs. Completely agree he will get there.

 

[Rongomania]

Yeah. I mean I get wanting more, I do as well, but people act like he just finished his non COVID times d+5 and played a bunch of 80 game seasons. Hahaha. He’s played fewer regular season games than two full seasons, a chunk of it he played injured. Arguably his best hockey was the last 19 games… in the playoffs. Completely agree he will get there.

His last 6 games after being out, before the playoffs he was great as well. You can say his last 25 games were the best he's ever played. Huge stuff there. No reason to think he won't continue to build on that, having gained a lot of confidence over that span.

 

[cheech70]

 

[Rongomania]

That pic, the 107mph slap shot, looking like prime Ivan Drago except better looking and better at hockey.

One month until pre-season boys. Can't f*ckin' wait.

 

[cheech70]

 

[Rongomania]

For the record, weird introverts don't do molly at festivals with hot Finnish model GF's.

It's all part of the breakout which is coming.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

Kaako incorporating Kama Sutra into his off season routine to improve his patience with the...puck

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

"I'm taking receipts, and I'm gonna be more than happy to share them with all of y'all when it's all said and done."
-Kaapo Kakko probably

 

[Rongomania]

"I'm taking receipts, and I'm gonna be more than happy to share them with all of y'all when it's all said and done."
-Kaapo Kakko probably

That play at the blue line was pure beauty. You love to see it. Looked fab on the PK as well.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Receipts.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Kakkkooooooo

 

[LORDE]

Looks good tonight... goal aside even

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Looks good tonight... goalS aside even

Fixed it for you.

 

[Circus86]

I hope he stays healthy. He is going to have a big season

 

[Lone Ranger]

Kakko was the best Ranger by far last night. I'm expecting big things from him, Chytil, and Laff this season.

 

[Ola]

Kakko's skills are evident. He has everything he needs to be dominant on the ice. What is lacking is his decision making. Where to be on the ice with and without the puck. Who to pass to and when. He struggles to make himself open when he doesn't have the puck. Not sure if it's something you can simply teach him either.

For three years now, Kakko basically haven’t played in any kind of meaningful offensive role. Basically no PP time. Never having the puck on his stick while having time, in the NHL, you only regularly get that on the PP. Quinn always demoted him the second he gave up a shooting attempt. He has also never played with a center like Tro for example who is good at getting his wingers the puck.

In light of the above, we can’t be surprised if Kakko has all kind of issues.

I mean seriously, nothing else can be expected. What would we all say if someone told us like “Listen, Edmonton drafted a talented winger 2OA, a big kid with good size who is excellent with the puck and in 1 on 1 situations. Their plan is to learn him to play defense for 3 years, never give him any PP time, he will play with a center who plays with blinders on (or only pass the puck to the LW). What do you think, is that a good idea? Will the kid be ready to become a star after 3 years?”

Nah, it doesn’t work like that.

 

[Ola]

Also, the talk about how we don’t have any options NOW. Like sure, the borderline criminal negligence took part under the watch of DQ and Gorton, but it’s not true that we don’t have options.

Gallant could say, listen, “if we are to win a cup and become a real contender over the coming 3-5 years — we need these kids to develop. They can’t don that in a depth role. We need to change up the PP. It might mean 4 or even like 8 less goals over 82 games, but it’s worth it. We will also make changes 5 on 5. Kreider and Mika won’t be seeing as much of each other as they are used to. It’s 1 step back to take 2 steps forward.”

Larry Brooks should be calling for Gallant’s head for not doing it. The article should in typical Brooks fashion set out how GG might seem to be too good to be truth, but how he in fact should be sacked instantly for ruining a 1st and 2nd overall pick. The fact that Brooks wasn’t saying just that 3 years ago when David Quinn with the approval of all pundits thought that all these kids needed was to learn to play defense, does show how little he knows about the game. But one, two or even three wrong does not make a right.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Easy fix for the kids is to split up Kreider and Mika. They will still get ice time. But it will involve a 3rd line of Kreider Chytl and Krav. That could be a very good 3rd line.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Easy fix for the kids is to split up Kreider and Mika. They will still get ice time. But it will involve a 3rd line of Kreider Chytl and Krav. That could be a very good 3rd line.

I mean that’d be ballsy af. And maybe gallant is pissed enough after the game to do it.

 

[hackeyman]

Also, the talk about how we don’t have any options NOW. Like sure, the borderline criminal negligence took part under the watch of DQ and Gorton, but it’s not true that we don’t have options.

Gallant could say, listen, “if we are to win a cup and become a real contender over the coming 3-5 years — we need these kids to develop. They can’t don that in a depth role. We need to change up the PP. It might mean 4 or even like 8 less goals over 82 games, but it’s worth it. We will also make changes 5 on 5. Kreider and Mika won’t be seeing as much of each other as they are used to. It’s 1 step back to take 2 steps forward.”

Larry Brooks should be calling for Gallant’s head for not doing it. The article should in typical Brooks fashion set out how GG might seem to be too good to be truth, but how he in fact should be sacked instantly for ruining a 1st and 2nd overall pick. The fact that Brooks wasn’t saying just that 3 years ago when David Quinn with the approval of all pundits thought that all these kids needed was to learn to play defense, does show how little he knows about the game. But one, two or even three wrong does not make a right.

Yeah, Gallant is really ruining the development of the kids. That was strongly evident last night , not to mention the playoffs last year.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Yeah, Gallant is really ruining the development of the kids. That was strongly evident last night , not to mention the playoffs last year.

Haha. Love when people give some response like this. It's like they didn't even watch last year. The kids were great in spite of the coach. Kakko goes on a long point streak with Panarin. Gets moved off the line because "the coaches were bored". Kid line is our best in the playoffs, minutes remain the same. Game 6 and we need to shake things up. Change lines 1 and 2 that weren't working? Nope. Bench Kakko.

Forgive me if I don't give GG credit for them. It's because he doesn't deserve it. Did the team play hard for him? Yes. That's seperate from his "work" with Laf and Kakko. Yesterday he admitted that the kid line was the only good one. If that continues and he rewards them on the ice, all is forgiven. I don't wanna hear GG fanboys giving him credit for Kakko and Laf improving all year. NOPE. Anything they do is because they got better. Kakko on another continent.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Great to see him produce. We need a big year out of KK this season.

What KK does is what KK does. Most of his good is not because of the coaches and neither is most his bad. Its his personal responsibility.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Kakko looks a step quicker and he looks like he's playing very assertive. Let's hope he can get off to a good start in the regular season to keep his confidence up. And hopefully he can stay healthy.