Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[IDvsEGO]

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.

I dont consider 15th in the league elite, but at the same time, pp numbers are up across the league, we're only 2% behind where we finished last year. Edmonton is at 32% right now for the best pp in the league, whereas 27% was the best in the league last year.

 

[IDvsEGO]

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.

Pp2 needs more ice time, but also needs to see some time with fox at the point.

I would give miller some looks with the first unit, and then fox some time with the second on rare occasions.
Trouba kills alot of the posession time and doesn't have the same vision. Miller is elite at keeping the puck in the zone and has much better vision.

 

[McRanger92]

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.

Put Panarin in the bumper role, it would at least force him to shoot more and give him less time to overthink and hit the glass

 

[IDvsEGO]

Put Panarin in the bumper role, it would at least force him to shoot more and give him less time to overthink and hit the glass

Panarin would be terrible there. Like theres putting players in positions to succeed and this is the complete opposite. It would be like giving him a shift on the 4th line and telling him to hit everyone. Its the opposite of his game.

 

[mas0764]

Put Panarin in the bumper role, it would at least force him to shoot more and give him less time to overthink and hit the glass

And if Panarin is so elite then why are we ranked 15th? That means a lot of other teams are doing it better. I don’t care if our percentage is the same as last year: there is demonstrated room to do it better.

I’m not saying he must be moved either but there is far too much sacred cow status being conferred in far too many players in this org. Canonizing our power play and the 5 players on it is the latest example.

 

[IDvsEGO]

And if Panarin is so elite then why are we ranked 15th? That means a lot of other teams are doing it better. I don’t care if our percentage is the same as last year: there is demonstrated room to do it better.

I’m not saying he must be moved either but there is far too much sacred cow status being conferred in far too many players in this org. Canonizing our power play and the 5 players on it is the latest example.

Theres is demonstrated room to do it better? This is gonna be an interesting argument.
Our PP was 2nd in the league last year. We're still fairly close to that number this year.
Other teams have improved beyond those same numbers. One team is so good theyre essentially batting 33%
The only teams above us thats "unexpected" are LA, and Buffalo.
Ottawa was expected to take a big step forward and did, and other teams are far healthier this season.
You saying "theres room to do better" is like saying every batter in the MLB should be hitting 1.000 because its theoretically possible. Or lets pass on the boat to open the mystery box because it could be a boat.

Our PP is good.
Its not stagnant and its not "sacred cow" to give one of the best pp producers in the league the majority of PP time.
Do I want the kids to get more time? Absolutely. But pulling panarin off makes no sense.

 

[BroadwayBlues]

Good player.

 

[mas0764]

Theres is demonstrated room to do it better? This is gonna be an interesting argument.
Our PP was 2nd in the league last year. We're still fairly close to that number this year.
Other teams have improved beyond those same numbers.

And why can’t we do it as good as they are then? This is gonna be an interesting argument.

Also I haven’t said that we must pull Panarin off.

 

[QJL]

Put Panarin in the bumper role, it would at least force him to shoot more and give him less time to overthink and hit the glass

If you were to rank the Rangers forwards in passing, where would you rank Panarin?

When you rank him #1, how is he supposed to use his vision on the power play if you put him at bumper?

 

[McRanger92]

If you were to rank the Rangers forwards in passing, where would you rank Panarin?

When you rank him #1, how is he supposed to use his vision on the power play if you put him at bumper?

I’m open to any adjustments on the power play considering the players who run it have not made a single one all season. I’d do away with the bumper position all together and just have trocheck and Kreider play in front of the net. But traffic in front is only a suggestion not a mandate for them.

 

[haveandare]

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.

Yeah. I have issues as many do with GGs ways with some of the kids but also kudos to him for recognizing Kakko has become capable of a lot more and giving him the opportunities to thrive

 

[DanielBrassard]

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

Kakko has never looked comfortable on the right wall on the PP which is the only spot for him if he's on the top PP unit. He's also never really shown he's a threat to shoot off the pass which would be necessary if you start running the PP from the other side of the ice again. It's not gonna happen.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Kakko has never looked comfortable on the right wall on the PP which is the only spot for him if he's on the top PP unit. He's also never really shown he's a threat to shoot off the pass which would be necessary if you start running the PP from the other side of the ice again. It's not gonna happen.

I seem to remember a couple nice kakko one timers this season. Even one last game.

 

[Rongomania]

I seem to remember a couple nice kakko one timers this season. Even one last game.

A few real 'money' ones he's scored this year. He has definitely worked on that. His game grows every game and he's been really consistent. Still leads the league in third assists!

 

[BBKers]

Kakko taking constant steps forward. Needs to work on the shot and dekes, but that will come.

Now to the important part, does anyone think Fat Kakko would stand a chance vs Fat Þór? Í think K2 in beef(y)mode (sorrý SoyBoy Zib) would Finnish off that Old Asgardian in a lightening flash. Unless the Nordic ThunderGod used both his hammers…

 

[will1066]

Kakko taking constant steps forward. Needs to work on the shot and dekes, but that will come.

Now to the important part, does anyone think Fat Kakko would stand a chance vs Fat Þór? Í think K2 in beef(y)mode (sorrý SoyBoy Zib) would Finnish off that Old Asgardian in a lightening flash. Unless the Nordic ThunderGod used both his hammers…

Are you a fan of Amon Amarth? Great band, covering said subject matter.

 

[BB88]

Kakko taking constant steps forward. Needs to work on the shot and dekes, but that will come.

Now to the important part, does anyone think Fat Kakko would stand a chance vs Fat Þór? Í think K2 in beef(y)mode (sorrý SoyBoy Zib) would Finnish off that Old Asgardian in a lightening flash. Unless the Nordic ThunderGod used both his hammers…

I’d still say skating is the biggest thing holding him back from reaching his true ceiling

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

They took ANOTHER point away from Kakko

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

screw that point. i'm just glad the guy is not playing like a doofus anymore. he's doing useful things on ice.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

They took ANOTHER point away from Kakko

To be fair, that one was actually given to him wrong originally haha.

 

[IDvsEGO]

I’d still say skating is the biggest thing holding him back from reaching his true ceiling

He’s already making space for himself, if he got faster he’d be unstoppable.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

To be fair, that one was actually given to him wrong originally haha.

Of course it’s just hilarious but he’s getting points now in spite of it.

5,5,10 in his last 12 (should be 11)

 

[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!

3 weeks ago. Has not aged well.

 

[The New Russian Five]

Kakko's strength and possession game has become absurdly good. If he works on the right things, like his shot and getting a little quicker than he currently is, he will be an absolute beast in a year or two.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

3 weeks ago. Has not aged well.

Same thing will happen with Laf. Mark my words.