Brutananadilewski
Registered User
He's diabetic, right?
I'd still give him a cookie and a bottle of whiskey for his level of play!
I'd still give him a cookie and a bottle of whiskey for his level of play!
Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko
- Thread starter Krams
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Shesterkybomb
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- Dec 30, 2016
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Nah, Jimmy Vesey needs a new contract make them swap spots
HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
He’s improving at timing how to draw defenders in to make a pass for a quality chance.
If you think about how he was a scoring playmaker before the NHL, a lot of his teammates missed goals on perfect passes like that but it was also coming from him driving play and being a threat to score in close
He needs to continue to build on his playmaking but also be a threat to shoot. There was that pass out into space where he could’ve stepped into a shot or take it to the net and he pulled up.
He also came really close to deflecting in a goal in the third. He’s going to some dirty areas high in the slot. If he continues to do that Kreider and especially Mika and Fox will find him there.
It’s kind of amazing how he’s steadily adapted his game to the NHL and I think he will continue to find ways to improve. His shot, moves to the net, finding open space to get off high quality chances will come along, but it’s great to see how consistent he is. His play doesn’t really take any dips night to night - and that’s in all three zones.
Which is why if he can stay there on the top line the points will really start coming. 9 in the last 11 (should be 10) he is showing he can play at a 50-60 point pace
If you think about how he was a scoring playmaker before the NHL, a lot of his teammates missed goals on perfect passes like that but it was also coming from him driving play and being a threat to score in close
He needs to continue to build on his playmaking but also be a threat to shoot. There was that pass out into space where he could’ve stepped into a shot or take it to the net and he pulled up.
He also came really close to deflecting in a goal in the third. He’s going to some dirty areas high in the slot. If he continues to do that Kreider and especially Mika and Fox will find him there.
It’s kind of amazing how he’s steadily adapted his game to the NHL and I think he will continue to find ways to improve. His shot, moves to the net, finding open space to get off high quality chances will come along, but it’s great to see how consistent he is. His play doesn’t really take any dips night to night - and that’s in all three zones.
Which is why if he can stay there on the top line the points will really start coming. 9 in the last 11 (should be 10) he is showing he can play at a 50-60 point pace
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During the game I was thinking, w/ the PP struggling, Kakko has to see time over Trocheck. After that incredible shift by Tro, that seems highly unlikely.
Would’ve been nice if we had the cap to roll the dice on a Kakko extension last year. Have to wonder if he would’ve take a long term deal around $5mm, like Canes offered to Kotka.
Would’ve been nice if we had the cap to roll the dice on a Kakko extension last year. Have to wonder if he would’ve take a long term deal around $5mm, like Canes offered to Kotka.
I can’t think of a worse spot on the power for Kakko than the bumper. Trocheck belongs there. Kakko is a right wall guy through and through.
Totally wish we had taken a gamble to sign him long term. Advocated for it all last year!
haveandare
Registered User
Our boys all grown up.
He’s playing with so much more confidence than previous years, it’s noticeable just in everything he does and the way he acts with the rest of the guys on the ice and on the bench. Still room to grow too, very exciting
He’s playing with so much more confidence than previous years, it’s noticeable just in everything he does and the way he acts with the rest of the guys on the ice and on the bench. Still room to grow too, very exciting
The Crypto Guy
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- Jun 26, 2017
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But that isn't Trochecks spot either. He's never been there his whole career, he's always played in front of the net where Kreider is. I'd love to see Kakko there, Kakko can hold on the the puck better than Trocheck and with that find the open man on he PP. Trocheck really doen't do much of anything on that unit most of the time playing that role, Strome was more effective at that spot.
The entire role of the bumper is quick touches and creating space as a shooting threat. The bumper should never hold on to the puck...
Production aside, Trocheck is smart positionally and he’s a threat to shoot. That’s why he’s good there.
But yeah if we look at production…
Trocheck is a MAJOR upgrade on Strome.
Trocheck has 13 PPP in 38 games this year.
Strome had 14 PPP in 74 games last year.
Strome never once produced on the power play like Trocheck. He only potted 18 PP goals in 3.5 years as a Ranger. Trocheck is already halfway there.
Kakko is a wall player. There is no doubt about it. If he improves his shot he’s going to be very very dangerous there.
The Crypto Guy
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- Jun 26, 2017
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It's stale and it's still 15th in the league. It's elite. It's a .330 batter batting .275. You don't change anything. You give it 600 plate appearances. Back of the baseball card. Cised.
The Crypto Guy
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How is 15th in the league considered elite?
And that’s after being in the top 5 for the month of Oct. it’s been anything but elite.
Unpredictable1
Registered User
Taco Taco's pass tonight on Kreider's goal was surgical.
15th isn't elite. Batting .275 isn't elite. But being 15th while being stale is elite S. Like batting .275 while being in a slump is elite S.
The Crypto Guy
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That's like me with crypto. We all have our areas of expertise.
LionsHeart
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Every line Kakko has been put on this year has been better for it. You do the math on that one.
- Jul 16, 2005
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Ironically I think Lafreniere has the skill to be a bumper player, other than his clock is running slow right now (as well as his low confidence).
I don't think you throw it in the garbage, but sometimes a .330 batter who is batting .275 will change things about his stance or his swing or the coach will move him around the lineup.
So yeah sometimes tinkers are good, and swapping out a player for a talented kid would count.
Poster is really stretching logic to defend the coach.
gravey9
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- Dec 29, 2008
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I will never not be a huge fan of Kakko. You can see it all there. But just to warn everyone there will likely be more dips here and there in his game. It’s just the way it is for these kids. They are still growing. But Kakko’s game just keeps growing. It’s a pleasure to watch. When he’s on, he’s special.
Everyone complaining now that Chytl and Laf looked off. I wonder what changed. Kakko is the engine in every line he sees.
Any other Kakko/Daniel Jones fans feeling really justified this morning?
Chytilmania
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- Dec 31, 2017
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McRanger92
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- Jun 7, 2017
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Its time to replace Trocheck with Kakko on PP1. Not a demotion for Trocheck, because hes been damn good in pretty much every situation, but the top unit needs a guy who can move around and protect the puck. Way to stagnant recently because the Breadman wants to headfake all day then miss the net entirely form 40 feet out
Speedtrials
Registered User
Love to see the growth in Kakko's game. He really is a unique type of player, and glad to see Gallant giving him more and more ice time and responsibility.
HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
I agree.
Bumpers also have to read the play to outman a potential takeaway on the wall. They have the vantage point from the middle of the ice to move into any position, even up high to help win a puck. Lost puck recoveries into space or on the walls deep as well. Strome was very good at reading those types of plays and it was one of the things I was worried about when they let him walk. Trocheck has been just fine in that regard.
But like you said with Trocheck he is a better finisher. 13 PPP but we also know how many posts he's hit.
Kakko works that wall very well. Even in 5 on 5 situations its easy for him to make that move up the wall, get away from the defender by protecting the puck and then turn hard into the slot area on his forehand.
He just needs to get his shot off on net quickly and not try to be perfect with it. That will come. Sometimes its not about how hard you shoot, but how quick you make the decision to and the release. Chytil made it a point to work on that and hes scoring at a 20-25 goal pace.
Kakko is exceptional with the puck. He is currently developing off the puck. The bumper is an “off the puck” role. Protecting the puck is the exact opposite of the bumper role on the power play.
If we’re moving someone off PP1, it would be Kakko in for Panarin to the left wall on PP2. This would be to create balance, it would not improve PP1.
Not only is that not going to happen, but I’d overwhelmingly prefer Panarin on the PP1 right wall to any of the kids. He’s that much better, even on his off hand.
Panarin is smart enough to play bumper well, but that would remove him as a playmaker. With all the hate he gets, he’s still a top 5 forward in PP assists league wide. You can’t take him off the wall.
Kakko is where he should be. PP2 just needs more ice time.
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