NORiculous
Registered User
I count 11 pts in the last 10 games (including tonight).
I posted last summer that he and Lafrenière would breakout in the last half of this season.
Still ways to go to call this a breakout… but so far so good.
Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko
- Thread starter Krams
- Start date
- Status
I posted last summer that he and Lafrenière would breakout in the last half of this season.
Still ways to go to call this a breakout… but so far so good.
He's so much more confident. It's an ENG, but there was a defender nearby. He ripped it with power. As easy as it should be, that's not a goal the last few years. Had a great setup to Fox, a couple other nice passes that set up 2 on 1's where Laf shined. Like we say about Kakko and Laf the last few games, easily could have had 3 points.
LionsHeart
Registered User
For all the talk of Chytils next contract Kakko is working on quite the bag himself. I don’t think finishing the season with 40 points is unreasonable at this point.
BB88
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2015
- 41,497
- 21,884
I would be pretty disappointed if he only gets 12 more points in the remaining 29 games
- Jul 16, 2005
- 14,499
- 12,339
NickyFotiu
NYR 2024 Cup Champs!
- Sep 29, 2011
- 15,850
- 7,590
I was tough on KK last season including after he was benched in the playoffs. I have been very happy to see him come back and raise his game. That is how a professional does things. I think his goal should be 20 goals and 50 points this season. If he gets there I will have no problem saying he had a very good season. I'd like to see all of our kid line have 50 points this season. Then build on that even more in the playoffs and next season.
haveandare
Registered User
Hes feeling it out there, it’s visible just watching him on and off the ice. Very happy we didn’t give up on him
I think 20-25-45, strong defense, and renewed confidence would be considered a successful season for Kakko, and about what most of us hoped for when the season started.
IceColdOx
Registered User
Totally OK with this. Sometimes you just don't score. KK has done pretty much everything else right but score. Good on Trouba for trying to get him the puck for the empty-netter.
I’d say with an increased uptick in pp2 usage, and better line distribution we could see 50 points or so.
He really just has dominating shifts and I think the kids will be monsters in the playoffs again.
007
You 'Orns!
So we're all happy with Kaapo Kakko, but I still wonder, if you could redo the draft today, Jack Hughes undoubtedly goes #1. Whom would you pick at #2?
I'm an avowed fan and kinda biased in his favour, so I would still pick KK at #2, but how does everyone else feel?
I'm an avowed fan and kinda biased in his favour, so I would still pick KK at #2, but how does everyone else feel?
The Crypto Guy
Registered User
- Jun 26, 2017
- 28,311
- 36,934
I would absolutely take Seider or Zegras over him, Caufield is close too.
Sisu4ever
Registered User
- Jan 6, 2020
- 255
- 369
Recent Kakko/Mikkola article in Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat. I did Google translate, and corrected a few things, but there might still be some minor translation errors:
VLADIMIR TARASENKO moves to the New York Rangers.
This kind of information started to spread last Thursday, but the information about the amount paid by the Rangers to the St. Louis Blues began to leak a little later, and the official confirmation of the deal came only about an hour later.
- I played on PlayStation with my Finnish friends. At the same time, I was browsing social media and saw that Tarasenko was coming. Of course, I immediately started to see if there would be a call that I could go the other way myself, Kaapo Kakko told Ilta-Sanomat on Monday in Vancouver.
- You never know, and sometimes there have been rumors.
Little by little, it became clear that Niko Mikkola would also be involved in the deal from the Blues' side, in addition to the goal scorer. From the Rangers, Sammy Blais, farm player Hunter Skinner and draft picks left in the other direction.
Mikkola's transfer came to Kakko's attention from a message from fellow player Braden Schneider.
- Schneider sent a message and asked if I knew the guy. I hadn't even noticed yet that he was involved in the training.
- It's somehow strange that we read about them on social media, even though we play in the same team. However, that's the name of the business. The player who left us (Blais) probably found the information there himself.
Lauri Pajuniemi and Tarmo Reunanen have been in the Rangers organization at the same time as Kakko.
Both have been familiar to the Turku native for years, but apart from Reunanen's short four-game stint in the NHL and Taxi squad, Kakko has basically played his entire nearly four-year NHL career without a Finnish teammate.
- When Schneider came to ask if I knew Mikkola, of course I immediately connected it to the trade. I went looking for more information and was pretty excited. Finally a Finnish playmate, Kakko said with satisfaction.
Mikkola and Kakko played together in the men's WC gold team 2019 and sauna’d frequently before the games.
- We immediately cursed, where to find the best sauna.
What about Mikkola himself?
He was getting ready for the Blues' first practice after the star break, when he learned that there is no need to go to the ice.
- Five minutes before the meeting, the GM called the coach. I was picked up, and I found out that I had been traded, Mikkola said.
One announcement changes life a lot and is sure to be a shock.
- It is. There had been talk in the media and I knew that something could happen before the transfer deadline, but you can't prepare for it. It came quite suddenly.
The day in the Rangers started right away with consecutive days of games, where there were victories over Seattle and Carolina.
- Except for the penalties in the first game, it has gone well. There are few new things. I have tried to play simply and communicate a lot on the ice. There were good wins, which one can only be satisfied with.
IN HIS DEBUT against Seattle, Mikkola received no less than three two-minute penalties.
The "hat trick" was special.
There haven't been any penalties like that in my entire career. In the first one, the guy skated after the whistle and lifted the stick to the stick, lifting it a little, Mikkola said about the situation where his stick then went up into the opponent's face.
The second, Mikkola's hook ice, was preceded by an offside. The third came from delaying the game, when Mikkola shot the puck into the stands - though clearly through the stick of Matty Beniers.
- I didn't even say anything to the judge, when I thought it was clearly seen. Yes, there was a bit of a laugh already.
RANGERS will play in Vancouver on Wednesday, but traveled to the venue already on Sunday.
As you might guess from the schedule, the team then held a traditional Rookie Party, i.e. a rookie dinner.
After a long drawn-out evening, we went to the ice around 12:30.
How did the skate move?
- Well, it wasn't the fastest, but I hope it didn't look too slow, Mikkola smiled.
Mikkola has previously played in the NHL on the same team as Ville Husso. Husso was also now simultaneously in Vancouver and in the same hotel with the Rangers – but with the Detroit Red Wings.
- I saw "Hude" for the first time this season.
Now 26-year-old Mikkola got into the same group as Kakko.
- There hasn't been a Finnish teammate this season, it's so fun to chat with a Finn too. However, I have also tried to get to know new guys. There are many new names and other new things.
Original article in Finnish
VLADIMIR TARASENKO moves to the New York Rangers.
This kind of information started to spread last Thursday, but the information about the amount paid by the Rangers to the St. Louis Blues began to leak a little later, and the official confirmation of the deal came only about an hour later.
- I played on PlayStation with my Finnish friends. At the same time, I was browsing social media and saw that Tarasenko was coming. Of course, I immediately started to see if there would be a call that I could go the other way myself, Kaapo Kakko told Ilta-Sanomat on Monday in Vancouver.
- You never know, and sometimes there have been rumors.
Little by little, it became clear that Niko Mikkola would also be involved in the deal from the Blues' side, in addition to the goal scorer. From the Rangers, Sammy Blais, farm player Hunter Skinner and draft picks left in the other direction.
Mikkola's transfer came to Kakko's attention from a message from fellow player Braden Schneider.
- Schneider sent a message and asked if I knew the guy. I hadn't even noticed yet that he was involved in the training.
- It's somehow strange that we read about them on social media, even though we play in the same team. However, that's the name of the business. The player who left us (Blais) probably found the information there himself.
Lauri Pajuniemi and Tarmo Reunanen have been in the Rangers organization at the same time as Kakko.
Both have been familiar to the Turku native for years, but apart from Reunanen's short four-game stint in the NHL and Taxi squad, Kakko has basically played his entire nearly four-year NHL career without a Finnish teammate.
- When Schneider came to ask if I knew Mikkola, of course I immediately connected it to the trade. I went looking for more information and was pretty excited. Finally a Finnish playmate, Kakko said with satisfaction.
Mikkola and Kakko played together in the men's WC gold team 2019 and sauna’d frequently before the games.
- We immediately cursed, where to find the best sauna.
What about Mikkola himself?
He was getting ready for the Blues' first practice after the star break, when he learned that there is no need to go to the ice.
- Five minutes before the meeting, the GM called the coach. I was picked up, and I found out that I had been traded, Mikkola said.
One announcement changes life a lot and is sure to be a shock.
- It is. There had been talk in the media and I knew that something could happen before the transfer deadline, but you can't prepare for it. It came quite suddenly.
The day in the Rangers started right away with consecutive days of games, where there were victories over Seattle and Carolina.
- Except for the penalties in the first game, it has gone well. There are few new things. I have tried to play simply and communicate a lot on the ice. There were good wins, which one can only be satisfied with.
IN HIS DEBUT against Seattle, Mikkola received no less than three two-minute penalties.
The "hat trick" was special.
There haven't been any penalties like that in my entire career. In the first one, the guy skated after the whistle and lifted the stick to the stick, lifting it a little, Mikkola said about the situation where his stick then went up into the opponent's face.
The second, Mikkola's hook ice, was preceded by an offside. The third came from delaying the game, when Mikkola shot the puck into the stands - though clearly through the stick of Matty Beniers.
- I didn't even say anything to the judge, when I thought it was clearly seen. Yes, there was a bit of a laugh already.
RANGERS will play in Vancouver on Wednesday, but traveled to the venue already on Sunday.
As you might guess from the schedule, the team then held a traditional Rookie Party, i.e. a rookie dinner.
After a long drawn-out evening, we went to the ice around 12:30.
How did the skate move?
- Well, it wasn't the fastest, but I hope it didn't look too slow, Mikkola smiled.
Mikkola has previously played in the NHL on the same team as Ville Husso. Husso was also now simultaneously in Vancouver and in the same hotel with the Rangers – but with the Detroit Red Wings.
- I saw "Hude" for the first time this season.
Now 26-year-old Mikkola got into the same group as Kakko.
- There hasn't been a Finnish teammate this season, it's so fun to chat with a Finn too. However, I have also tried to get to know new guys. There are many new names and other new things.
Original article in Finnish
Last edited:
gravey9
Registered User
- Dec 29, 2008
- 2,941
- 6,299
For regular season? Zegras. But check back after more playoff runs, and Kakko might still be my pick. There's no reason why Kakko shouldn't become a playoff beast.
The Crypto Guy
Registered User
- Jun 26, 2017
- 28,311
- 36,934
Ah so that's the secret plan, we are going to be playing Tarasenko as a goalie!
Sisu4ever
Registered User
- Jan 6, 2020
- 255
- 369
Sorry and thanks, i missed that one. Should be "goal scorer" or something like that
.I will correct it.
The Crypto Guy
Registered User
- Jun 26, 2017
- 28,311
- 36,934
Haha no worries! Thanks for posting/translating for us!Sorry and thanks, i missed that one. Should be "goal scorer" or something like that
I will correct it.
- Apr 16, 2012
- 4,748
- 5,925
RIGHT now? If this was what he is? I'd take Zegras over him. Maybe Seider, but based on our needs I wouldn't take Seider. I think Zegras is closer to his upside already than Kakko is though. This time next year, and from then on, I'll probably be going with Kakko. Zegras is a nifty player, but scoring is his ONLY forte. When all is said and done, I'm not sure Zegras ends up a higher scoring player than Kakko. Right now their EV scoring is only 7 points apart... and Kakko brings superb D and excellent puck possession. Zegras is pretty awful D wise, though it's not crazy to think he may tighten that up some as he matures as a hockey pro.
GAGLine
Registered User
- Sep 17, 2007
- 24,327
- 21,248
There are some other players from that draft who have done very well also, like Cozens and Boldy, but I'm happy with Kakko. In a redraft, Kakko is still top 10 IMO and should move up the list more in the coming years.
- Status
