Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko
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will1066
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- Oct 12, 2008
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There was a play yesterday where he had the puck behind the Dallas net. He was standing still with the puck, then he just exploded and I remember saying to myself, wow.
haohmaru
boomshakalaka
Kakko is only 21 years old and 6th among forwards in ATOI and 4th among wingers. He's clearly taken a step forward physically and becoming a man. I think people forget that at 18-20 years old you aren't done growing yet. I think his game is markedly improved and the scoring will come.
It is also a known fact that power forwards take longer to develop.
Shesterkybomb
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- Dec 30, 2016
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Why? He's a year younger and is playing fine.
I don't know what type of player he is so that's clouding my judgement. With KK its obvious his strengths will be his puck protection and defense. Is Laf going to have KK' puck protection/defense? Is he a shooter? A playmaker? A guy who scores from in front of the net?
Rongomania
Registered User
I think all the posters here talking about Zibs/Kreids evolving their own games to better suit a kid who clearly has skills is so spot on. If they can fully gel, Kak has the ability to be the best RW those two have ever played with and vastly improve that line 5v5.
All good things we're seeing with his game. And this is exactly who he was in the playoffs, messier had to change his pants on a live broadcast.
Problem is it’s all about points when it comes to debates about players on HF.
Rongomania
Registered User
Every other top pick getting unlimited PP time from day one is treated as a myth.
It's frustrating as all hell, but I get it. If these kids get 40 PO games in before their 23-24th birthdays, even if we can't grab a cup NOW - That is so huge for the future. Last seasons run was tremendous for their confidence as a group of kids, you can clearly see it. This is a team full of now quite experienced, very young post season players with sky high ceilings. That is a unique and beyond dangerous team in the making.
earlier in this season he was slinging a lot of on target passes across the ice for his linemates but they didn't result in goals unfortunately. He seems to be hanging onto the pick a bit more now
but yeah, Kreider and Zibanejad need to know that they can cycle with the puck now instead of always scoring off the rush. Kreider in particular though needs to pick it up, he still looks like he's playing a step or 3 behind
DanielBrassard
It's all so tiresome
I just love having a guy like him who can go out and dominate a shift every time he touches the ice. Even if he doesn't score or his line doesn't score it provides energy, and wears down the opposing team. Obviously we all want to see him become the scorer we expected but even if that doesn't actualize, he's still an extremely valuable piece.
HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
Kakko must lead the league in 3rd assists
- Jul 16, 2005
- 14,507
- 12,351
And points taken away. And chances just barely missed. The dude would have probably twice as many points over the last year and a half but he’s been tremendously unlucky. And while that is still not lighting the world on fire it is far better.
He still has just 3 points in 10 games this year. I wish that was more at like 5-6, like Lafreniere.
Who I’ve complained about starting slowly again as well yet don’t blink now because he’s at 0.5 ppg with no PP time.
Rongomania
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JimmyG89
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- May 1, 2010
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It's really just the PP difference. Zibanejad and Kreider have 4 and 3 ES points respectively. That line needs to get going at 5v5 for him to get his points. I think that will only be a matter of time.
Kreider needs to watch & learn from Kakko how and when to protect the puck and not get rid of it too quickly likes a hand grenade. If he did they would create a lot more chances for that line.
No one is watching us and thinking Laf is having a better year than Kakko. That's why points don't worry me. You can see the production. Laf also has the benefit of Panarin giving him slam dunks. Kakko is creating for everyone else, and they aren't producing.
HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
He sets the zone time in motion.
I mean its not like hes a real "play driver", especially off the rush (although we are starting to see him make moves around dmen like they are standing still). '
He's a zone sustainer and makes so many little plays that go unnoticed with and without the puck. He makes the hard play that leads to play that creates the scoring chance.
I'm not surprised that so many around the league and even the MSG crew is failing to heap praises on his performance. Its kinda hard to quantify what game he actually plays out there.
But I will say this - its improving and it becoming more and more noticeable. I would just love to see it translate into points for him. I mean sooner or later we are gonna see 2, 3, 4 point games from him, the way he is going.
The Crypto Guy
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- Jun 26, 2017
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I just wish there was some way to get him some PP time on that top unit. It was not surprising that the #1 PP unit scored when Kakko was out there while Bread was in the box. He controls the puck better than anyone on the team and as you said, makes so many small plays all game that seems to go unnoticed.
Shesterkybomb
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- Dec 30, 2016
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Yes to all of that, that's what he was in junior and projects to be that in the nhl, add plays with an edge and thats him when he is a finished product. He needs to get faster, a bit strong and then he can play the way he needs to become what he is supposed to be. Kakko has done that this year, he's a year older than Lafreniere but Lafreniere is going to be the better player.
McRanger92
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- Jun 7, 2017
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Kakko looks excellent. With most of our young players, we've sacrificed their PP production for playoff experience. I make that trade off every time
Laf will be a player who depends on his intuitive on-ice intelligence. He will instinctively get to the open spots and seams, be in the right place to jump on rebounds, find the lanes to make passes. I think that much of his struggles have been that he is still figuring out how to adapt his hockey smarts to the NHL level. Experience, matched with his high hockey IQ will make him a legit first line winger. I don't think he will ever be a driver of the offense, his skating will limit that. But he will be a solid goal scorer, 30+30 in a year or two, perhaps 40+40 during his prime years. He has other intangibles; in many ways he is an old-fashioned, hard-nosed winger. Right now, he is trying to understand how to fit in with two veteran guys with established and, in one case, a dominant skill set. I too wish he would get some serious PP time. Not worried about him in the least; he is playing, playing good minutes, learning and internalizing. When it "happens" for him, all our earlier doubts will be faded memories.
KK: I think a lot of some peoples disconnect with him is that he is not the player many thought he would be when he was drafted. Realistically or not, many expected someone to be a natural and instinctive goal scorer. Instead, we have a player somewhat unique in today's game. When people are passing the puck quickly, looking for offensive in an aggressive north-south game, KK will be different: incredibly strong along the boards and in front of the net, driving the offense by possession. You could start to see this last year and it is so heartening to see him grow and in some games dominate this year. True, I don't think his line mates know what to do with him yet. I'm not sure whether he is in the right place, line-wise yet, to maximize his talent. But this guy has a chance to be a real stud player; not what we thought but in many ways much better.
KK: I think a lot of some peoples disconnect with him is that he is not the player many thought he would be when he was drafted. Realistically or not, many expected someone to be a natural and instinctive goal scorer. Instead, we have a player somewhat unique in today's game. When people are passing the puck quickly, looking for offensive in an aggressive north-south game, KK will be different: incredibly strong along the boards and in front of the net, driving the offense by possession. You could start to see this last year and it is so heartening to see him grow and in some games dominate this year. True, I don't think his line mates know what to do with him yet. I'm not sure whether he is in the right place, line-wise yet, to maximize his talent. But this guy has a chance to be a real stud player; not what we thought but in many ways much better.
TopShelfSnipes
Snipes Like Tarasenkoooo
Generally agree with that.
What I see for upside/future state:
Laf - Diet Stamkos. Lurks in the O-zone, great shot/release (has to work on this!), good offensive zone instincts especially w/o puck (has to work on these!), good playmaking ability, tough/aggressive when he needs to be but generally a gentleman, relies on speed more than strength.
Kak - Jake Voracek with more goals and probably fewer assists. Insane puck control in the corners and walls, great lower body strength, good release when he uses it, can score gritty goals and skill goals. Decent defensively and generally a clean player who uses strehgth well.
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