Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[IDvsEGO]

My biggest problem with Kakko is not his skillset or his development, but how he plays. We've seen talented players do this before. Look at Jakob Silfverberg, and the highlight reel goals he'd score. Guy's never even put up 50 points in the league.

My problem with Kakko right now is that there was a brief stretch where this wasn't true, but in general:
-He is scared to take the puck hard to the net.
-He doesn't really win battles in front of the net despite improving strength.
-He plays like a third or fourth line grinder.
-He takes too long to release the puck, and his shot is still quite the muffin most of the time (except on the rare times he one times it).
-He's still slow as molasses.

I still see physical improvement to his game from the offseason, but nothing else, and he's reverting back to being a perimeter player, or a player that when he goes to the net without the puck, he's neutralized immediately and can't win the physical battle to get open again.

I legit wonder if i live in a parallel universe where we watch different games.

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

I legit wonder if i live in a parallel universe where we watch different games.

One shot last game...a muffin from the left circle with no traffic in front. Was otherwise invisible with the puck. Had about as phantom of a 2nd assist as you can get on the 2nd Laf goal which was basically a zone entry, drop off pass, then all 13 and 77 and a fortuitous bounce.

Generated nothing and -2 the game before. 4 shots and one Grade A against Philly, one of the weaker teams in the league, but no points. Passed up a prime shot from 3 feet in front of the net against LA only to send the puck back to Laf, and Laf has to hit an impossible angle shot to finish a goal, gets an assist.

That's a week of reverting back to how he was playing last season. One good game out of 5, and he didn't get a point in it. What are you seeing?

 

[EdJovanovski]

One shot last game...a muffin from the left circle with no traffic in front. Was otherwise invisible with the puck. Had about as phantom of a 2nd assist as you can get on the 2nd Laf goal which was basically a zone entry, drop off pass, then all 13 and 77 and a fortuitous bounce.

Generated nothing and -2 the game before. 4 shots and one Grade A against Philly, one of the weaker teams in the league, but no points. Passed up a prime shot from 3 feet in front of the net against LA only to send the puck back to Laf, and Laf has to hit an impossible angle shot to finish a goal, gets an assist.

That's a week of reverting back to how he was playing last season. One good game out of 5, and he didn't get a point in it. What are you seeing?

He has the weakest shot, when I went to the Rangers vs Canucks game this season his shots literally made a different sound when they hit the goalies pads or boards compared to every other player on either team lol. That “107 MPH slapshot” video was obviously fudged lol

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

He has the weakest shot, when I went to the Rangers vs Canucks game this season his shots literally made a different sound when they hit the goalies pads or boards compared to every other player on either team lol. That “107 MPH slapshot” video was obviously fudged lol

It was 107 km/h lol

 

[markymarc1215]

All good points. Year 5 is the true make or break in my opinion. By this time next year, we will surely know if he is going to come close to his potential as a 2OA and show spurts of dominance on the scoresheet, or if we have a 2nd liner, akin to a Jakob Silfverberg or Johan Franzen, tweener who just didnt pan out for his draft spot. My heart and brain have conflicting answers. That said, I am rooting like hell for the kid.

As I said in a prior post, if Kakko hit 40-45 points this year and continued to thrive with puck possession, and fired the puck on net more, I would consider that a successful season. So far, he is on track for 2 out of 3 of those.

 

[DanielBrassard]

I thought he looked the best he had as an NHL'er the first few games of this season when he was playing with Kreider and Zibanejad. But ever since then it's pretty much been the same Kakko we have seen since his 2nd year in the league.

this is all at 5v5.

 

[TheDirtyH]

I thought he looked the best he had as an NHL'er the first few games of this season when he was playing with Kreider and Zibanejad. But ever since then it's pretty much been the same Kakko we have seen since his 2nd year in the league.

View attachment 663752
this is all at 5v5.

Ironically, he's been a big producer since then. Since December 5th when the team started turning around:

He and the kid line as a whole really have stepped up the scoring, even as they've cooled significantly in the last couple of weeks. What's lame to me is that he's basically like all our other forwards in that it's either generating chances better than the other team or outscoring them, never both at the same time, and usually wholly cyclical with runs where they're doing neither.

 

[DanielBrassard]

Ironically, he's been a big producer since then. Since December 5th when the team started turning around:

View attachment 663765

He and the kid line as a whole really have stepped up the scoring, even as they've cooled significantly in the last couple of weeks. What's lame to me is that he's basically like all our other forwards in that it's either generating chances better than the other team or outscoring them, never both at the same time, and usually wholly cyclical with runs where they're doing neither.

That's all situations isn't it? at 5v5 he's at 2.02 which is good but he's also at an 11% On-ice SH% which is not gonna continue.

The drop in shot rate is a huge problem, just kinda proves what a lot of people are saying is true, he's not getting to the middle of the ice enough.

I was actually curious what the other top-9 forwards were looking like at 5v5 as well since that point:

Panarin and Trocheck have been carrying them at 5v5 ironically enough while the other 5 have been getting outplayed pretty badly.

 

[TheDirtyH]

That's all situations isn't it? at 5v5 he's at 2.02 which is good but he's also at an 11% On-ice SH% which is not gonna continue.

View attachment 663771

The drop in shot rate is a huge problem, just kinda proves what a lot of people are saying is true, he's not getting to the middle of the ice enough.

I was actually curious what the other top-9 forwards were looking like at 5v5 as well since that point:

View attachment 663769
View attachment 663770


Panarin and Trocheck have been carrying them at 5v5 ironically enough while the other 5 have been getting outplayed pretty badly.

Yeah I guess where I keep landing with the kids is that they don't to my eyes perform astronomically different than the 'stars' on our team. If Panarin and Zibanejad were taken off the PP and playing third line minutes, I don't think you'd see notably different results than what Kakko and Lafreniere put up.

That's less to say anything positive about the kids as it is saying something negative about the veterans.

Kakko's on-ice shooting percentage jumped and the scoring totals followed. Before that stretch he was on 7% and throughout parts of two seasons with Zibanejad and Kreider that sh% was between 5 and 7. Not like he wasn't due some positive regression, so it's hard for me to fault him getting it. Just annoying that it seems so often the case with every forward on our team that the worse they play, the more they get rewarded, and the better they play, the less they can catch a break.

 

[FlyguyOX]

Unfortunately he somehow becomes less assertive and a passenger on the kid line. It looks like he doesn't know his role on that line or playstyles clash or something, because the complete opposite was true when he was with Ziba and Kreider.

 

[will1066]

It doesn't seem like he can get to the inside lanes and he's kept to the outside. He's not getting into shooting position. He also wants to plod with the puck, make some pivots and some jukes and shimmies, but it doesn't result in anything.

 

[Anthony5967]

Kakko is a dominant player below the hash marks. He is much more robust and is confident in using hip swings and drives to keep defenders off him. However, if I have one knock with him, it's that he just will not shoot the damn puck, and I am sick of it. He has a great shot, despite what many say. He doesn't have much confidence in it for reasons I can't understand.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

He needs to watch some old Rick Nash videos of him coming from the corner to the net with the puck.

 

[CLW]

He needs to watch some old Rick Nash videos of him coming from the corner to the net with the puck.

Or, he could use some damn coaching... which this team doesn't have, or worse, what it has is detrimental.

Everyone knows he needs to shoot more and he needs to find positions to shoot more. This kid is far too conscientious trying to play to the 'system' that doesn't really exist. He wants to control the puck below the goalline and by the boards, keeping possession and momentum going for the team. The issue is that there is no o-zone organization outside that. After that it's either "go to the net for rebounds/tip ins" or, preferably, look to set up Zibanejad or Chytil for a shot.

This kid needs to let go of the swimming pool edge and go out there and just wreak havoc. Screw the coaches, he'll NEVER get rewarded for being conscientious and obedient and about the only forward on the team apart from Zib trying to play X and O hockey. Go out there, skate up and down the ice energetically, shoot the puck on sight and look busy, engage in a little ugga bugga after a whistle now and then with an opponent and look tuff. That's the ticket.

 

[gravey9]

Or, he could use some damn coaching... which this team doesn't have, or worse, what it has is detrimental.

Everyone knows he needs to shoot more and he needs to find positions to shoot more. This kid is far too conscientious trying to play to the 'system' that doesn't really exist. He wants to control the puck below the goalline and by the boards, keeping possession and momentum going for the team. The issue is that there is no o-zone organization outside that. After that it's either "go to the net for rebounds/tip ins" or, preferably, look to set up Zibanejad or Chytil for a shot.

This kid needs to let go of the swimming pool edge and go out there and just wreak havoc. Screw the coaches, he'll NEVER get rewarded for being conscientious and obedient and about the only forward on the team apart from Zib trying to play X and O hockey. Go out there, skate up and down the ice energetically, shoot the puck on sight and look busy, engage in a little ugga bugga after a whistle now and then with an opponent and look tuff. That's the ticket.

I just want to see him skate with the puck with initiative to the net. He uses his size to great effect to shield the puck near the boards and around the perimeter, but he needs a bit more Chytil or Gauthier in his approach. Just force the defense to make a play. Take it to the net, wreak havoc.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I just want to see him skate with the puck with initiative to the net. He uses his size to great effect to shield the puck near the boards and around the perimeter, but he needs a bit more Chytil or Gauthier in his approach. Just force the defense to make a play. Take it to the net, wreak havoc.

When hes done that hes had a few go in.

This is the next step to his game, getting to the inside, getting to the slot, forcing his way to the net front, focusing on getting shots on net when the openings are there - and that could be anywhere in the zone really.

Laf and Chytil are constantly in motion. One of them is an outlet for Kakko and the other is usually going towards the net when hes doing his thing. Get it on.

 

[Kravtsov420]

i dont agree with a timeline for him or laf rn because of who they have to play behind without meaningful powerplay minutes. make of that what you will, but thats the choice the organization made and we're seeing the results.

 

[chosen]

This kid is far too conscientious trying to play to the 'system' that doesn't really exist......

This makes no sense to me.

Are you saying he's playing a system correctly but there is no system?

The narrative that there is no system is utter bullshit.

You can say you don't like the system, but there is one.

If there was no system, they would have the worst record in the NHL.

They can't play the same way as the defensive-first teams because they aren't built that way. That's the way Dolan and Drury have constructed them, for better or worse.

Last year, in the playoffs, the same system worked to above expectations.

This season, they could exit in the 1st round or go just as far as last season. Just like every other team, with the possible exception of Boston.

The next few weeks should demonstrate whether this team has a shot at being a real contender.

Same goes for the West, despite the feelings of some here that Colorado is a lock to come out of the West.

 

[McRanger92]

Ive seen some solid flashes from Kakko but he is allergic to the front of the net and still refuses to shoot. It's gotta change or he's a prime candidate to be moved for a guy who will. Laf for all his issues now has more goals and actually scores at the net front. I'm not shocked Kakko has been bumped from the power play.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Not sure whats up with his game lately.

Kinda going through the motions, not being much of a difference maker.

This can happen to young players. Its a long season and as Torts would always say its about "learning to be a pro".

There are a lot of little things we arent seeing in his game right now. That line in general has kinda stalled.

He may just need a good game, a big moment to boost his confidence an intensity a little - but the drive in his game needs to reappear.

 

[will1066]

Not sure whats up with his game lately.

Kinda going through the motions, not being much of a difference maker.

This can happen to young players. Its a long season and as Torts would always say its about "learning to be a pro".

There are a lot of little things we arent seeing in his game right now. That line in general has kinda stalled.

He may just need a good game, a big moment to boost his confidence an intensity a little - but the drive in his game needs to reappear.

Not fast enough. Chytil and Laf are both playing with speed and quickness. He doesn't seem to be in sync with them. Not getting into shooting position when the puck goes to him. Also an aversion to get into the dirty areas, as mentioned by others, or maybe he simply is not able to from a physical standpoint. He's back to lugging the puck around the perimeter and playing the butt-based protection game.

I was looking at rhesus monkey gifs and when I saw this, my mind went immediately to Kakko.



It encapsulates the current state of his game.

 

[Raspewtin]

he is really bad right now. I'm so tired of it.

 

[Leonardo87]

he is really bad right now. I'm so tired of it.

It feels like Kakko and Laf switch back and forth from being good and bad. Can‘t even recall when both were playing great at the same time.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

he is really bad right now. I'm so tired of it.

He’s been pretty good most of the season but yeah, kid line is stale now and both he and Chytil have been pretty invisible lately . Tarasenko and Kane coming in probably has a lot to do with it.

 

[mrmovies779]

Young player struggles with confidence and consistency, more at 11