Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[LionsHeart]

Pucks are finally going in the net. Not surprised once he got the monkey off his back. Let’s see if he does it consistently and pulls off a 15-20 goal season.

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

I dont think Kakko is a slow skater but he seems to get tired very quickly, which is when he becomes slow bad by NHL standards. Maybe an issues with skating effiency (or just bad cardio)?

Rangers should at least try putting him on private figure skating lessons for a summer to work on his skating technique. Maybe then he wouldnt have to work twice as hard as others to keep up with NHL speed

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Good thing he scored last night, if you don’t count this game he was on pace for less points than Nils Lundkvist.

Him scoring hurt you more than Kravtsov not playing and its equally hilarious and sad.

 

[OrlandK]

Every time Kakko scores his supporters come out of the woodwork to praise his pending breakout to stardom. Yet he scores at the exact same pace for 4 years running. HIs mediocre production is never a reflection of his play, just his poor handling by the coach. Originally it was his poor linemate holding him back. Then when paired with superstars it was his lack of power play time. We all need to be evaluated at our jobs like KK!

 

[will1066]

Every time Kakko scores his supporters come out of the woodwork to praise his pending breakout to stardom. Yet he scores at the exact same pace for 4 years running. HIs mediocre production is never a reflection of his play, just his poor handling by the coach. Originally it was his poor linemate holding him back. Then when paired with superstars it was his lack of power play time. We all need to be evaluated at our jobs like KK!

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Every time Kakko scores his supporters come out of the woodwork to praise his pending breakout to stardom. Yet he scores at the exact same pace for 4 years running. HIs mediocre production is never a reflection of his play, just his poor handling by the coach. Originally it was his poor linemate holding him back. Then when paired with superstars it was his lack of power play time. We all need to be evaluated at our jobs like KK!

Says a guy who has posted 3 times in the last 6 months and they are all in this thread.

Showing up randomly to complain about a player that people want to see do well. Weird behavior.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Good thing he scored last night, if you don’t count this game he was on pace for less points than Nils Lundkvist.

Fewer points.

 

[haohmaru]

Good thing he scored last night, if you don’t count this game he was on pace for less points than Nils Lundkvist.

He's on pace for a lot more games than Kravtsov, though.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I dont think Kakko is a slow skater but he seems to get tired very quickly, which is when he becomes slow bad by NHL standards. Maybe an issues with skating effiency (or just bad cardio)?

Rangers should at least try putting him on private figure skating lessons for a summer to work on his skating technique. Maybe then he wouldnt have to work twice as hard as others to keep up with NHL speed

Something I have in common with an NHLer!

 

[LyNX27]

He needs a longer stick.

I would argue he also needs a slightly stiffer stick but again, all a matter of preference.

 

[bhamill]

He's on pace for a lot more games than Kravtsov, though.

Ahahahahahaha

 

[SnowblindNYR]

A post about posts — and why the Rangers are hitting so many this season

Some Rangers in particular are doing everything right before being foiled by iron.

theathletic.com

Great attitude.

It IS and that's why there are guys playing in the greatest league in the world and then the rest of us who most likely would let it get us down. I sure now I would.

 

[OrlandK]

Says a guy who has posted 3 times in the last 6 months and they are all in this thread.

Showing up randomly to complain about a player that people want to see do well. Weird behavior.

Says a guy who feels knocking a puck into an empty net from 10' away confirms KK's stardom awaits.

Sorry I don't spend more time trolling those with opinions different than mine on this board like you. My apologies.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Says a guy who feels knocking a puck into an empty net from 10' away confirms KK's stardom awaits.

Sorry I don't spend more time trolling those with opinions different than mine on this board like you. My apologies.

When did I say that made him a star? Reading comprehension is hard.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I do not understand the constant comparisons to Hughes. Hughes was expected to be the number one choice. We never had a chance to draft Hughes. Their games are different just like a Corvette is different than a Ford F 150. If looking to compare KK then do it to guys drafted after him that we actually had a chance to get.

 

[Crease]

I do not understand the constant comparisons to Hughes. Hughes was expected to be the number one choice. We never had a chance to draft Hughes. Their games are different just like a Corvette is different than a Ford F 150. If looking to compare KK then do it to guys drafted after him that we actually had a chance to get.

It's about play relative to expectations. The frustration here (rightfully so) is that every Rangers forward prospect fails to reach play relative to expectations. Meanwhile, the Devils seem to have no problem getting Hughes to where he is expected to be. Same with Ottawa and Stutzle, Detroit and Raymond, Anaheim and Zegras, etc.

 

[NickyFotiu]

It's about play relative to expectations. The frustration here (rightfully so) is that every Rangers forward prospect fails to reach play relative to expectations. Meanwhile, the Devils seem to have no problem getting Hughes to where he is expected to be. Same with Ottawa and Stutzle, Detroit and Raymond, Anaheim and Zegras, etc.

Was KK a huge scorer before the NHL? I never expected his production to be close to Hughes. They are different types of players. A Ford F 150 has a big engine and can do a lot of things a Corvette can not do but it will never be as fast as a Corvette. Most the teams you mentioned have been losing teams after those drafts. Losing teams will often play younger guys more. I do not think the Rangers have hurt KK. Nor do I think we have seen KK's ceiling. Some guys develop at different rates. I was pretty critical of KK last season but I'm seeing a reason to be more positive this season. KK may or may not become the 2nd best player in his draft but that is really on KK. Its not based on either coach he has had in the NHL. Only possible question for me is should we have given KK and Laf some time in the AHL to build their confidence. Look at Chytil. He is now in his 6th season. He is first starting to show some confidence. I think by sometime in January he will have as many points as he had the last 4 seasons. KK does need to pick things up but I think its more about confidence and drive than coaching.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Was KK a huge scorer before the NHL? I never expected his production to be close to Hughes. They are different types of players. A Ford F 150 has a big engine and can do a lot of things a Corvette can not do but it will never be as fast as a Corvette. Most the teams you mentioned have been losing teams after those drafts. Losing teams will often play younger guys more. I do not think the Rangers have hurt KK. Nor do I think we have seen KK's ceiling. Some guys develop at different rates. I was pretty critical of KK last season but I'm seeing a reason to be more positive this season. KK may or may not become the 2nd best player in his draft but that is really on KK. Its not based on either coach he has had in the NHL. Only possible question for me is should we have given KK and Laf some time in the AHL to build their confidence. Look at Chytil. He is now in his 6th season. He is first starting to show some confidence. I think by sometime in January he will have as many points as he had the last 4 seasons. KK does need to pick things up but I think its more about confidence and drive than coaching.

Kk was one of the highest scoring forwards to come out of Finland at d-1.

 

[McRanger92]

Fewer points.

Stannis Baratheon would be proud of your grammar

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Was KK a huge scorer before the NHL? I never expected his production to be close to Hughes. They are different types of players. A Ford F 150 has a big engine and can do a lot of things a Corvette can not do but it will never be as fast as a Corvette. Most the teams you mentioned have been losing teams after those drafts. Losing teams will often play younger guys more. I do not think the Rangers have hurt KK. Nor do I think we have seen KK's ceiling. Some guys develop at different rates. I was pretty critical of KK last season but I'm seeing a reason to be more positive this season. KK may or may not become the 2nd best player in his draft but that is really on KK. Its not based on either coach he has had in the NHL. Only possible question for me is should we have given KK and Laf some time in the AHL to build their confidence. Look at Chytil. He is now in his 6th season. He is first starting to show some confidence. I think by sometime in January he will have as many points as he had the last 4 seasons. KK does need to pick things up but I think its more about confidence and drive than coaching.

There is no question about Kakko's drive.

He doesn't sulk about his missed opportunities, benchings with no explanation, injuries, demotions, etc. He's had plenty of that up to this point. His play has been consistent for the most part.

I think that this idea of a player needing to "pick things up" and "show what he's worth" doesn't fall on the player alone in his case.

To gain confidence in this league you not only need to will that into existence, but you also need to be put into positions to succeed. The player has no control over that. Plenty of games the past couple of seasons where Kakko has dominated and been one of the best forwards on the ice only to get his minutes reduced or not elevated.

You mention KK and Laf being given time in the AHL to build their confidence. Again, that isn't a decision made by the player. That's managing or mis-managing a prospect. If you think that has something to do with it, thats not on the player.

Fact of the matter is, they may have rushed these two to the NHL level because they finally were able to get two top overall picks after waiting 90 years to get them. Not to mention it was nice to capitalize on that hype in ticket revenues. Then they proceeded to jerk around their playing times on a roster they knew wouldn't be a perfect scenario for development. They had their cake and wanted to eat it too.

If Kakko came out gangbusters and went ape-shit TPS on the league right away, it may have been a different story, but I could tell you one thing, he wouldve done it all 5 on 5 and his numbers wouldve reflected that. It doesn't fall ALL on the players shoulders.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Kk was one of the highest scoring forwards to come out of Finland at d-1.

I'd like to see all KK's scoring not just at 1 level.

 

[NickyFotiu]

There is no question about Kakko's drive.

He doesn't sulk about his missed opportunities, benchings with no explanation, injuries, demotions, etc. He's had plenty of that up to this point. His play has been consistent for the most part.

I think that this idea of a player needing to "pick things up" and "show what he's worth" doesn't fall on the player alone in his case.

To gain confidence in this league you not only need to will that into existence, but you also need to be put into positions to succeed. The player has no control over that. Plenty of games the past couple of seasons where Kakko has dominated and been one of the best forwards on the ice only to get his minutes reduced or not elevated.

You mention KK and Laf being given time in the AHL to build their confidence. Again, that isn't a decision made by the player. That's managing or mis-managing a prospect. If you think that has something to do with it, thats not on the player.

Fact of the matter is, they may have rushed these two to the NHL level because they finally were able to get two top overall picks after waiting 90 years to get them. Not to mention it was nice to capitalize on that hype in ticket revenues. Then they proceeded to jerk around their playing times on a roster they knew wouldn't be a perfect scenario for development. They had their cake and wanted to eat it too.

If Kakko came out gangbusters and went ape-shit TPS on the league right away, it may have been a different story, but I could tell you one thing, he wouldve done it all 5 on 5 and his numbers wouldve reflected that. It doesn't fall ALL on the players shoulders.

Drive may mean different things. For me I would encourage KK and Laf to set per period goals to strive for. I would strive for 2 shots a period. I have said that in the past. 2 Guys can both play hard but their drive is not always based on the same goals. That does not mean they have to reach those goals but goals help shape focus. I noticed that myself when I was playing. I went from a 1-2 goal a season player who always hustled hard to a guy aiming for 1 goal a game.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Drive may mean different things. For me I would encourage KK and Laf to set per period goals to strive for. I would strive for 2 shots a period. I have said that in the past. 2 Guys can both play hard but their drive is not always based on the same goals. That does not mean they have to reach those goals but goals help shape focus. I noticed that myself when I was playing. I went from a 1-2 goal a season player who always hustled hard to a guy aiming for 1 goal a game.

Laf needs to shoot more, no doubt. Something like that would be a good goal for him. Kakko has gotten tons of chances, just like Buch did before he broke out. But yes, goals are always important no matter how big or small.

I think part of the issue is they know if their shot gets blocked and goes the other way for a goal or chance against, it could result in having their minutes reduced. Because it has. Other times they have shot more or maybe even the shot has gone in, and the minutes have been reduced anyway. That can be a little frustrating and mess with a player no?

Other young top prospects on franchises with room to grow get steady top 6 time plus 1st unit PP work, regardless of their actions, which allows such a player to achieve said goals. The team is willing to see a player go 2-1-3, +4 over a 3 game span and not immediately pull the rug out from under their feet in the 2nd period of the 4th game because they arent having the greatest showing.

So its a chicken and an egg thing. Going back to your original post of if its on the player and having nothing to do with the coach. This isnt the perfect scenario for them to develop in regardless of who you want to blame.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Stannis Baratheon would be proud of your grammar

His grammar was better than his decision-making

 

[IDvsEGO]

I'd like to see all KK's scoring not just at 1 level.

You measure players at specific ages to get as clear a sense.
D-1 is an age not a level. He was playing against men in the LIIGA. He outscored barkov, and laine I believe.