Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[Ruggs225]

Is he alive? Is he expected back at all this season?

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Is he alive? Is he expected back at all this season?

Likely around the beginning of April

 

[bl02]

Can't reveal anything beyond this but I heard KK is having surgery tomorrow and it's a 6–8-week projected recovery.

This would have been February 11th. So hopefully we see him back (at least skating/non contact jersey) in 2 weeks or so.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Cant wait for him to come back, but we will have to be even more patient with his game since he's been out so damn long

If he's back at the start of April he will have about 15 games to try and regain his form from earlier in the year - which was very good. A lot of us forget how well he was playing for about a month. He wasnt getting points but he was one of the teams best forwards on both ends of the puck, every night.

Most important thing is that he stays healthy and gets several playoff games under his belt for the experience alone.

 

[rangersfansince08]

Sucks that Hughes took the next step while Kakko has been injured.

 

[broadwayblue]

Sucks that Hughes took the next step while Kakko has been injured.

Hughes was injured last year.

 

[CasusBelli]

Sucks that Hughes took the next step while Kakko has been injured.

Hughes was also at least one notch above everyone that draft year. I believe the biggest criticism was his “wide turning radius.” If that’s your biggest weakness, you’re in pretty damn good shape to succeed.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Gallant stated yesterday that he is skating, so that's good at least. Would be great to get him back for the final 10 games of the season for him to get into game shape for the playoffs.

 

[KevinFinnerty]

Going to be a very underrated possession player for us in the playoffs, just deking players behind the net and holding onto the puck will be valuable

 

[17futurecap]

Going to be a very underrated possession player for us in the playoffs, just deking players behind the net and holding onto the puck will be valuable

Not saying much from the team performance, but he was probably our best player in that bubble series vs Carolina, keep it in the O-zone, and good things will happen.

 

[Matt Rentfree]

Any wrist doctors and physical therapists specializing in wrists in the house?

I'm not a doctor but I highly recommend he uses his other hand for... you know...

 

[smoneil]

Any wrist doctors and physical therapists specializing in wrists in the house?

Nope. I'm a Shakespeare doctor. If he needs help holding a skull introspectively, give me a holler.

 

[Inferno]

I've injured both my wrists playing hockey. The one with a tear in the ligaments took 6 months before it felt normal.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

There is no need to rush him. He is going to play only when he's ready. Hopefully he gets back with about 10 games to go before playoffs to work on his timing.

 

[rangersfansince08]

can we sign him to that bridge deal already?

 

[mas0764]

can we sign him to that bridge deal already?

The sooner the better.

Don't risk an offer sheet. Then you know how much money you have to play with for Strome/Copp, Motte, Vatrano, etc.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Hoping for another update on Kakko soon.

Maybe one of these beat writers can snap a pic of him on the ice for us? Just so we can feel better about him actually returning at some point? lol

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

Hoping for another update on Kakko soon.

Maybe one of these beat writers can snap a pic of him on the ice for us? Just so we can feel better about him actually returning at some point? lol

Didn't someone post that he and Rooney were skating on their own last week?

 

[bl02]

Didn't someone post that he and Rooney were skating on their own last week?

they were but we wanna see video and pics damn it lol

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

When Kakko and Rooney come back, who comes out and where do they go?

Kakko in Hunt out?
Rooney in Brodz out?

Kreider Mika Vatrano
Panarin Strome Copp
Laf Chytil Kakko
Motte Rooney Goodrow

ex: Hunt/Reaves

Would love to see that kid line reunited, 2.0 version.

Vatrano/Kakko can flip once he's got his game back, possibly.

Either way that lineup can do serious damage. Deepness

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Gallant said the roster would be 27 "soon".

So maybe a week? Less?

 

[NickyFotiu]

 

[Ruggs225]

Any update?

Does he even have arms anymore?

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Had a dream he came back and was vintage TPS Kakko, literally killing it and then got re-injured

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Makes me think - considering where this team is right now...

If Kakko comes back, regains his form and starts to impress the shit out of us with his finishing ability, could he put this team over the top?

I mean if Igor is Igor and this team can consistently put up 3-4-5 goals a game, law of averages suggest that will result in more wins than not. One can dream.

I'd start him on the 3rd line with Laf and Chytil. Then if Vatrano cools down, switch the two - or move Copp with Mika and Kakko with Bread. Good problems to have