Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[mas0764]

As happy as I am for him for that goal I still think he's a work in progress, at least on that line. And I am a 1000% Kakko supporter.

That shows his skill. His other skills - possession, defensive proficiency - are coming along very nicely and are ahead of his offense. He needs to figure out his NHL-level hockey sense, how to be in the middle of plays, how to react quicker. Where to position himself to be available for passes when he doesn't have the puck.

Like, I get that he's a beast with the puck and can skate around defenders sometimes like that, but he also had the opportunity to bury one from the slot last night and instead he held the puck too long and then tripped.

Speed up that internal clock, Gabe.

 

[007]

As happy as I am for him for that goal I still think he's a work in progress, at least on that line. And I am a 1000% Kakko supporter.

That shows his skill. His other skills - possession, defensive proficiency - are coming along very nicely and are ahead of his offense. He needs to figure out his NHL-level hockey sense, how to be in the middle of plays, how to react quicker. Where to position himself to be available for passes when he doesn't have the puck.

Like, I get that he's a beast with the puck and can skate around defenders sometimes like that, but he also had the opportunity to bury one from the slot last night and instead he held the puck too long and then tripped.

Speed up that internal clock, Gabe.

Totally agree, and I am going to go out on a limb and say that add the season progresses, he's going to develop that automatic-not-thinking side to his game.

Is a similar timeline to his development in Finland. People forget that in his draft year with TPS, he went from all potential at the start of the season to a best in the second half. It wasn't gravy the whole way, but ended up unstoppable.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Only member of the top 6 to not have multiple points last night. BUST.

 

[Leonardo87]

Only member of the top 6 to not have multiple points last night. BUST.

They should have given him a goal and an assist for that goal last night, lol.

 

[Synergy27]

My favorite part about this goal is that it helps erase the bad flub he had earlier in the game. This kid needs confidence. That’s it. Everything else is there.

 

[Raspewtin]

Kakko's edgework and stops/starts is significantly better than last year which allows him much more freedom of movement in tight and avoiding checkers. It's a huge step to him being a useful player.

 

[BroadwayHustle]

My favorite part about this goal is that it helps erase the bad flub he had earlier in the game. This kid needs confidence. That’s it. Everything else is there.

Even trying this is a show of confidence. He loves holding onto the puck and circling the net looking for a defensive break down.

He did it at WJC and Traverse City.

 

[duhmetreE]

I commend his restraint... I would have attacked Dumba after he blatantly crosschecked/punched me in the face...

goal or not. I would have returned the favor to him

 

[will1066]

Even trying this is a show of confidence. He loves holding onto the puck and circling the net looking for a defensive break down.

He did it at WJC and Traverse City.

I'm just surprised his self-cycle didn't end with a wrap-around attempt.

 

[Raspewtin]

I commend his restraint... I would have attacked Dumba after he blatantly crosschecked/punched me in the face...

goal or not. I would have returned the favor to him

same with Trocheck when Hartman threw an extra, completely unprovoked cross check on his way to the penalty box

that's what a team looks like when they're getting outplayed and dummied on ice.

 

[DanielBrassard]

I just hope that goal gives him the confidence to attack the middle more often, if he's gonna score goals, it's going to be similar though not quite as exceptional obviously as how he scored last night.

 

[bbny]

Kakko's edgework and stops/starts is significantly better than last year which allows him much more freedom of movement in tight and avoiding checkers. It's a huge step to him being a useful player.

The better first step quickness is noticeable. Should help him a lot this year.

His goal was nice last night, but utterly atrocious defense by Minny on the play has me a little apprehensive to go gaga over it. Like everyone else is saying though…hope it gives off confidence nonetheless.

 

[mas0764]

The better first step quickness is noticeable. Should help him a lot this year.

His goal was nice last night, but utterly atrocious defense by Minny on the play has me a little apprehensive to go gaga over it. Like everyone else is saying though…hope it gives off confidence nonetheless.

Yeah he's not going to be able to score like that regularly.

I just hope it boosts his confidence.

 

[Levitate]

To be honest I think Kreider had a poor game last night 5v5 and killed possession multiple times with bad passes or reads which impacted Kakko's overall usefulness offensively as well. Since Zibanejad is the main puck carrier on that line he's going to stand out most often but Kakko will do his best work in the offensive zone.

That line needs to realize they can play the board game with Kakko on the line so they don't have to force everything off the rush.

As for Minny's bad defense on that goal...well yes, one of their players picked the guy who was covering him but good on Kakko for either setting up that pick or immeidately recognizing it and cutting to the net

 

[EdJovanovski]

To be honest I think Kreider had a poor game last night 5v5 and killed possession multiple times with bad passes or reads which impacted Kakko's overall usefulness offensively as well. Since Zibanejad is the main puck carrier on that line he's going to stand out most often but Kakko will do his best work in the offensive zone.

That line needs to realize they can play the board game with Kakko on the line so they don't have to force everything off the rush.

As for Minny's bad defense on that goal...well yes, one of their players picked the guy who was covering him but good on Kakko for either setting up that pick or immeidately recognizing it and cutting to the net

If we drop Kreider to the 3rd line we could have all 3 of Krav, Laf & Kakko in the top 6 and all sides of the great Ranger prospect war would be happy

 

[bhamill]

Yeah he's not going to be able to score like that regularly.

I just hope it boosts his confidence.

Hahah. Yeah NO ONE is going to score like that regularly. But most players couldn’t have held onto the puck that long to take advantage of the chaos that he actually did help create.

 

[NYR94]

Kakko's edgework and stops/starts is significantly better than last year which allows him much more freedom of movement in tight and avoiding checkers. It's a huge step to him being a useful player.

I noticed that too last night

 

[Jauffre]

Still completely confused as to why he was benched in the last playoff game.

And then put on the first line to start the next season.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Both Kakko and especially Laf look quicker. Kakko still needs a shooting mentality but I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far. Keep them on the top 2 lines and baby we’ve got a stew going

 

[Atax]

I just hope Gallant gives him a long leash to play on the line. Give them time to really gel. I feel like they can match up with any line in the league. Like lets not see Hunt/Vesey if he has 1 bad game.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Looks like KK came ready to play so far this season. I'm very happy to see that.

 

[Captain Monglobster]

BUST

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

As happy as I am for him for that goal I still think he's a work in progress, at least on that line. And I am a 1000% Kakko supporter.

That shows his skill. His other skills - possession, defensive proficiency - are coming along very nicely and are ahead of his offense. He needs to figure out his NHL-level hockey sense, how to be in the middle of plays, how to react quicker. Where to position himself to be available for passes when he doesn't have the puck.

Like, I get that he's a beast with the puck and can skate around defenders sometimes like that, but he also had the opportunity to bury one from the slot last night and instead he held the puck too long and then tripped.

Speed up that internal clock, Gabe.

Agree. I think he will get there, but I also feel like we will still need to be patient with him. Like maybe even 2-3 years believe it or not. To me thats fine. Im willing to wait.

What I liked about his goal more than anything else was the first move he made on the wall to get free. That was lightning quick and he took 3 or 4 quick strides and exploded around the net into the protect the puck wheel with Ekman-Larsson hacking at him the whole way

He took a cross check from Dumba to the face. I'd love to see him push back there and give someone a shot, but I just dont think thats in his fiber

 

[cheech70]

makes me remember at the start of preseason GG said we were just experimenting with combos then GG said to Molly that management wanted to look at different players...I bet both 13 and 24 were told to get ready for top 6 before camp started...now is the time...Rangers are gonna have to pay up with those 2 getting top slots.

 

[cheech70]