He has been very good and the production is showing through.
8 points in his first 27 games
17 point in his last 25 games.
8 points in his first 27 games
17 point in his last 25 games.
Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko
- Thread starter Krams
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BB88
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- Jan 19, 2015
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He could drew so many penalties if they just called them
- Jul 16, 2005
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He could stand to get faster.
And yes, shoot more. Both of those things probably mean he has to improve the speed and quality of his internal decision making as well, which comes from experience (like, say, getting some consistent PP1 time?).
But he's already basically at 0.5 ppg with no PP time.
I think a slow-developing star is still an outcome that's on the table for him.
Amazing Kreiderman
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- Apr 11, 2011
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HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
Had yet another one last night.Also would lead the league in tertiary assists if that was a thing
And early on he literally could have had another 6-8 points and a few were just taken away. He could easily have 30 points with a little luck earlier in the year.
Would like to see some more shooting/goals come for him. Thats the next step to round out his game. He could've scored on that flubbed one timer. Stuff like that he needs to hone in on.
I went back to that game in Vegas as a turning point for Chytil as well - since then for Kakko - 5G, 12A, 17P in 25G.
Thats a 56 point pace over 82, even with all the third assists.
Love the kid. He just needs more speed and endurance. He is the first guy to look to get back to the bench. He also makes any line he is on better. This year he's basically the anti-Panarin.
romba
Registered User
I don't get it, is it name recognition that's the issue? Last night he was flying through center ice, gets whacked on the leg and goes flying, puck is never with 2 feet of the defenders stick, and no call.
McRanger92
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- Jun 7, 2017
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Not sure he'll ever reach that "Rantanen" star level until if/when his finishing improves, but I have no doubt he will develop into a 60 point top 6 winger at minimum
LOFIN
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- Sep 16, 2011
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I would argue he's playing like that right now.
McRanger92
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- Jun 7, 2017
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Agreed, I just thought people might come at me if I said it lol. The assist on Chytil's goal was a thing of beauty for a power winger. The d-man dropped his stick trying to slow KK down and he still made a nifty pass in close to set it up. Wait until he gains some stature in the league and actually gets a view calls from the refs.
GAGLine
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- Sep 17, 2007
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Can we stop with the "he needs better endurance" thing? It may have been true when he was a rookie, maybe, but it certainly isn't now. Kakko is 9th on the team in ice time per shift at 51 seconds. That's the same as Trouba, and a whole 1 second behind Laf and Chytil, and 2 seconds behind Miller and Kreider. And keep in mind that Kreider is usually out there for an extended shift on the PP. If we looked at just 5 on 5, I'd bet that Kreider takes shorter shifts.
As far as speed, there are few players in the league who wouldn't be better if they were faster, but he doesn't NEED to get faster. Fox isn't fast, but he plays fast because of his decision making. Kakko is getting there. I'm sure he'll continue to work on his skating every offseason, but he's never going to be a burner.
Agree to disagree. Not saying he has to be a burner. But he looks to get off the ice even when there is a rush at the end of the shift. Something he can improve on. Nothing wrong with that.
I didn't think he had a great game last night (Flubbed shot, missed Chytil with multiple break away passes) but hes definitely been more impactful lately.
I still want to see him take the puck to the net from the corners though. Used to be a staple of his game.
I still want to see him take the puck to the net from the corners though. Used to be a staple of his game.
LionsHeart
Registered User
Also are we not learning anything from some of the players we’ve had, including his center iceman?
Speaking of which, Kakko deserves a lot of credit for setting up Chytil during this streak. Those two are clicking and feeding off each other in a big way.
Lion Hound
@JoeTucc26
I love the progression he is making. You can see how valuable he is to his lines success. I think he makes other players better. Unselfish, to a fault though. Chytil being more of a shoot first center is a really good complimenting linemate.
Year 4 for Kakko and the 4 pieces of his game that are making him stand out is
- His pursuit on the puck when his line doesn't have possession.
- His playmaking when he does find it.
- His ability to play through traffic and hang onto the puck.
- His vision of how the play is developing.
Those pieces of his game to me are very similar to Timo Meier. There is three big pieces that Kakko has yet to develop on.
- He doesn't fire the puck enough.
- He need to play the body more on the forecheck like Meier does.
- He has to start capitalizing on the scoring chances he is gets. Practice, Practice, Practice.
In year 4;
Kakko is averaging 15 Mins of ice time with limited time on PP2.
Meier was averaging 17 Minutes of ice time, with full time on PP1.
Kakko is averaging .41 Hits per game and 1.5 Shots per game
Meier was averaging 2.2 Hits per game and 2.8 Shots per game
For #24 those numbers will increase with icetime but he needs to work on the other pieces. If Kakko figures out the missing pieces, I think he will develop into a very solid top 6 winger for the club. Potential all star material.
Year 4 for Kakko and the 4 pieces of his game that are making him stand out is
- His pursuit on the puck when his line doesn't have possession.
- His playmaking when he does find it.
- His ability to play through traffic and hang onto the puck.
- His vision of how the play is developing.
Those pieces of his game to me are very similar to Timo Meier. There is three big pieces that Kakko has yet to develop on.
- He doesn't fire the puck enough.
- He need to play the body more on the forecheck like Meier does.
- He has to start capitalizing on the scoring chances he is gets. Practice, Practice, Practice.
In year 4;
Kakko is averaging 15 Mins of ice time with limited time on PP2.
Meier was averaging 17 Minutes of ice time, with full time on PP1.
Kakko is averaging .41 Hits per game and 1.5 Shots per game
Meier was averaging 2.2 Hits per game and 2.8 Shots per game
For #24 those numbers will increase with icetime but he needs to work on the other pieces. If Kakko figures out the missing pieces, I think he will develop into a very solid top 6 winger for the club. Potential all star material.
Agreed here. What's really encouraging is that even when he doesn't bring his A game, he is consistently a net positive for the team. He's established himself at a level that is at minimum, effective middle six winger, and there is such obvious room for improvement still.
As has been mentioned, he could consider taking a few pounds off in an attempt to get quicker. A lot of his strength relies more on his balance and that short stick that keeps his posture pretty bottled up. He also really needs to shoot more. But I don't doubt he'll get there.
Sisu4ever
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- Jan 6, 2020
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Although i believe Kakko has been getting quite settled in and socially comfortable with his team mates, i think Mikkola joining the team is good for Kakko.
I bet he is excited to have another Finn on the team!
I bet he is excited to have another Finn on the team!
HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
Just mentioned the same thing in the roster building thread.
You could see how happy he was in the interview. Mikko said he had a huge smile on his face when he walked into the room. Its definitely a good thing for a young kid to have a fellow countryman on the team. And they know each other, played together. Mikko is a little older.
Sisu4ever
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- Jan 6, 2020
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I tried to watch that video, but there were too much noise around me, so couldn't hear what he said. I need to watch it again later.
Being a "casual" fan, I don't frequent the roster building thread. I will take a look there!
GAGLine
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- Sep 17, 2007
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Sisu4ever
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- Jan 6, 2020
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HockeyBasedNYC
Feeling it
GAGLine
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- Sep 17, 2007
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Oh, my bad. I thought it was a Kakko interview.
Ah, there it is. Thanks.
Sisu4ever
Registered User
- Jan 6, 2020
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Oh i didn't see the Kakko clip. I saw Mikkola talking about Kakko halfway through his interview. Thanks!
- Jul 16, 2005
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