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Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

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Cuckoo4Kakko said:
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.
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I mean, yeah, everyone knows that Kakko's year is better than Laf's so far.

But you can't have a truly good year without some points accumulation, too.
 
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alkurtz said:
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.
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I think about this all the time when I watch him.

His tools and strengths in the o-zone and how he plays to those strengths are kind of a rare mix. I find it hard to compare him to any other player both past and present. He isnt completely who the Rangers drafted, but there are some flashes of it here and there. He has adapted his game to the NHL and its very effective.

The really great thing is, whatever it is and whatever it will grow into is getting better in noticeable steps. We saw flashes of it year one, he showed more of it in year two but couldn't get it really rolling and was snakebit on the scoresheet. And this was all while improving defensively. IMO he is going to age like a fine wine.

Now he seems to have fit it all together, understanding what his body can and cannot do and gaining confidence. He is f***ing impressive to watch, if you really zone in on him closely. And its all getting quicker now. He isnt thinking which you could see earlier in his career. The last piece of the puzzle with him is going to find that perfect combination of linemates to finish plays.

I actually think he and Laf work really well as opposite wings, because they tend to naturally circle through to the middle of the ice. Laf tends to support the puck more, while Kakko tends to stay higher in a defensive posture which leads to takeaways. When either of them have the puck they tend to support each other well out there as well. We see a lot of short passes between the two. I wouldnt mind seeing a Laf-Mika-Kakko set one day.
 
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HockeyBasedNYC said:
I think about this all the time when I watch him.

His tools and strengths in the o-zone and how he plays to those strengths are kind of a rare mix. I find it hard to compare him to any other player both past and present. He isnt completely who the Rangers drafted, but there are some flashes of it here and there. He has adapted his game to the NHL and its very effective.

The really great thing is, whatever it is and whatever it will grow into is getting better in noticeable steps. We saw flashes of it year one, he showed more of it in year two but couldn't get it really rolling and was snakebit on the scoresheet. And this was all while improving defensively. IMO he is going to age like a fine wine.

Now he seems to have fit it all together, understanding what his body can and cannot do and gaining confidence. The last piece of the puzzle with him is going to find that perfect combination of linemates to finish plays.

I actually think he and Laf work really well as opposite wingers. I wouldnt mind seeing a Laf-Mika-Kakko set one day.
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Believe it or not the Kreider Zibs Kakko line lead the league in xG for.... also 4.2xG per60.. They need to just start putting the puck in the net... along with the entire team

Kreider has had a lot of chances, I have faith he'll start finishing.

Zibs and Kakko need to start shooting instead of passing up shooting opportunities

If Zibs can start finding space in the slot when Kakko is doing his thing, that'd be nice.
 
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duhmetreE said:
Believe it or not the Kreider Zibs Kakko line lead the league in xG for.... also 4.2xG per60.. They need to just start putting the puck in the net... along with the entire team

Kreider has had a lot of chances, I have faith he'll start finishing.

Zibs and Kakko need to start shooting instead of passing up shooting opportunities

If Zibs can start finding space in the slot when Kakko is doing his thing, that'd be nice.
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Yeah, I also find that its a lot of Kakko setting them up - and Mika setting up Kreids, but not much of either of them setting up Kakko. Kakko makes his own chances.

I dont know if this is a result of Kakko's game or their decision making with the puck, but I've always kinda felt that way with anyone that's been on a line with Kakko.

It could be that they need to figure him out a little more, but also could be Kakko needing to develop in finding open space and lanes to become a receiver, going to and staying at the net.
 
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HockeyBasedNYC said:
Yeah, I also find that its a lot of Kakko setting them up - and Mika setting up Kreids, but not much of either of them setting up Kakko. Kakko makes his own chances.

I dont know if this is a result of Kakko's game or their decision making with the puck, but I've always kinda felt that way with anyone that's been on a line with Kakko.

It could be that they need to figure him out a little more, but also could be Kakko needing to develop in finding open space and lanes to become a receiver, going to and staying at the net.
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When you watch Kakko, he seems to struggle finding soft spaces in dangerous shooting areas. He always seems to be covered when trying to get open in high danger scoring areas. This is a part of his game that needs work.
 
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duhmetreE said:
Believe it or not the Kreider Zibs Kakko line lead the league in xG for.... also 4.2xG per60.. They need to just start putting the puck in the net... along with the entire team
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just looked at this and wow, two of the top 3 lines (the other being probably the absolute best forward line anywhere in the league)

the kids are going to start pumping them in soon and this teams gonna go on a big time roll.

edit: just realized they have a few more minutes played than most lines, but still
 

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zlev11 said:
just looked at this and wow, two of the top 3 lines (the other being probably the absolute best forward line anywhere in the league)

the kids are going to start pumping them in soon and this teams gonna go on a big time roll.

edit: just realized they have a few more minutes played than most lines, but still
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Totals is good but their 4.2xG per60 number is still at the top. Well above 2nd and 3rd, Point-Kucherov 3.92 and Hintz-Robertson line 3.91
 
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zlev11 said:
just looked at this and wow, two of the top 3 lines (the other being probably the absolute best forward line anywhere in the league)

the kids are going to start pumping them in soon and this teams gonna go on a big time roll.

edit: just realized they have a few more minutes played than most lines, but still
Click to expand...

Why does it feel like the Trocheck line has far more chances? Is it Panarin's flashy style?
 
Also, guys I remember the best possession numbers were the third line with Chytil. Everyone trashes our depth and that 3rd line will never be as productive as the Brassard line, but a strong possession 3rd line is very valuable. When healthy and they stop being cold this team will roll.
 
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He's still only 22. Imagine him in his prime. It will be impossible to push him off the puck. The points will come, just needs to string a few together consistently. He's also probably figuring out what to do now that he is creating so much space for himself. This is new to him.
 
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The New Russian Five said:
He's still only 22. Imagine him in his prime. It will be impossible to push him off the puck. The points will come, just needs to string a few together consistently. He's also probably figuring out what to do now that he is creating so much space for himself. This is new to him.
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21, all the better.

As I said in the game thread he’s looking more and more like the TPS Kakko.
He wants the puck and wants to keep it instead of just looking to throw it away the moment he gets it.

He does currently lot of good things in the offensive zone but can’t convert them into points.
They will start to come up some point
 
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