BB88
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- Jan 19, 2015
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He was one of the best Rangers.
He’s more and more showing that strenght on the puck at the NHL level.
Sign on better confidence
Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko
- Thread starter Krams
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He was one of the best Rangers.
He’s more and more showing that strenght on the puck at the NHL level.
Sign on better confidence
Crease
Chief Justice of the HFNYR Court
- Jul 12, 2004
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He looks very comfortable now with the puck on his stick in the o-zone. Matter of time before the points come.
- Jul 6, 2017
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Future Hossa approaches …
The points are coming.
The points are coming.
LionsHeart
Registered User
I don’t care what the stats say, he’s our best forward 5 on 5.
Rongomania
Registered User
He's proving the confidence is there. For 'the points' to be the last part of your game you're solidifying as an NHL player at 21 is such a good sign.
Not one person knows what this kids ceiling is and I love it.
Do you remember what Kreider and Mika looked like 5v5 BK (Before Kakko)? A case can be made that Kakko moving to line 1 is the MAIN reason we are currently possessing the puck AS A TEAM way more than last year. He gets a few more minutes of ice time, and those minutes are spent in the ozone. That 5 minute difference of ice time percentage wise is probably close to the imporvement in our Corsi numbers.
We hear talk of #74 playing 4d chess on other threads. #24 is ACTUALLY playing 4d chess and everyone can understand and appreciate it. This is what we signed up for. The points will come.
LOFIN
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- Sep 16, 2011
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As long as Kreider and Zibanejad buy into it. It looked amazing the first few games, then it went quiet. Kakko continued to look good. Today Kreider and Zibanejad started the cycle game again and whatddyaknow, they score a goal.
Just need K&Z to buy into the cycle game Kakko provides, and it will work. He needs help along the boards. Both Zib and Kreider can do it, if they want to.
Yep. We really need the vets to start to adapt to what the kids bring. Kakko and Laf should play the way they play. They were drafted where they were for a reason. That's on the coach. If the kids always look to defer to the stars, we will be worse off.
LOFIN
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- Sep 16, 2011
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Especially because the way Kreider&Zibanejad play isn't exactly dominating lol. But when Kakko scored his first goal of the season he was embraced by K&Z, and today he embraced Kreider after that goal. I think that's something to note, because it wasn't like that before. Kakko has been that shy outsider on the team, but today they celebrated properly. Good to see.
- Jan 18, 2012
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The Roller Coaster that this board has been on 
romba
Registered User
5 on 5, this is a rush driven league, that’s the easiest and cleanest way to royal road and scoring. Panarin is so elite at carrying the puck on the rush and manipulating the opposition to create seams. His passing is second to none and his vision is insane. Aside from him though, Kakko has really looked the best 5 on 5.
But I do hope his vision improves. You have 1 second to hit a cross ice seam pass and he often misses the opportunity. Need to ID it before it opens otherwise it’s a turn over waiting to happen. Artemi, for example, knows exactly who he’s passing to a full 2-3 seconds before it happens and finagles the puck and defenders to create the seam he wants, Kakko manipulates the puck and defenders mostly to buy time to see what opens up. Big difference in mentality, though Kakko is on his way.
- Jul 6, 2017
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Definitely. I thought he was going to be a respectable third line defensive forward until this season. He’s taken quite the leap. If he works on his acceleration and agility, there’s no limit to what he can do.
Rongomania
Registered User
These are 110% attainable goals for a 21 year old.
A lot to look forward to with this kid.
Rempe73
RIP King of Pop
I was thinking the exact same thing. His ceiling is higher than I expected.
I remember we'd see a shift or two every handful of games in his first 3 seasons where he dominated possession and you'd think, man if only he could do that consistently. Now he's doing it almost every shit. Really an incredible leap from last year. Sky's the limit for him.
McRanger92
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- Jun 7, 2017
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I forgive you
To be honest I’m frankly still worried about him. I’m not trading him or anything. But I continue to wonder when the points are going to come. 3 in 8 games is still underwhelming.
And frankly even more surprised and concerned about Lafreniere because I thought he had kinda passed Kakko last year and that doesn’t seem true right now.
GbgRanger
Registered User
Laf is one year younger and slowly evolving his game.
Both Kakko and Laf should improve with more icetime.
but like was I thought he had surpassed KK last year. he showed high end skill.
GAGLine
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- Sep 17, 2007
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I think Chytil and Kakko complimented Laf's game really well. Together, they cycled the puck really well, maintaining possession and generating scoring chances off of it. Laf hasn't figured out yet how to work with Panarin, but he'll get there. I think if they were switched, with Laf playing with Kreider and Mika, and Kakko with Panarin and Trocheck, the results would be flipped as well, because Mika and Kreider can play the cycle game.
Laf needs to work on getting himself in spots to receive the pass, because with Panarin, it's coming. He needs to be the shooter on that line. Dig the puck out of the corners, get it to Panarin, then get in position to score and Panarin will find him more often than not. That's what Trocheck has been doing, and it's working for him. Get the puck to Panarin then get in position to get it back for a good scoring chance.
Kaako Kappo
Kaako Kappo
If he played on the first PP unit, he'd probably be like 3+3 or something and none of this talk about not scoring would even happen. Scoring even 40 points purely on even strength is a big ask.
Rongomania
Registered User
NickyFotiu
NYR 2024 Cup Champs!
- Sep 29, 2011
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Im very happy so far with KK. I got on him last season saying he had to produce and he is doing the job. He has a fire lit under him this season. Really nice to see him stepping up.
romba
Registered User
His acceleration is night and day from last year. When he decides to turn it on he really can move. It’s given him another weapon off the rush and in his quick start and stop possession game. Points will come, especially against the crappier teams
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