Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[mike14]

Kakko has played 39 games this season due to the injuries, he hasnt played in 3 months and it may take sometime for Kakko to get up to speed.

I would worry more about the 1st pick who has been healthy all season and has 0,35 PPG.

the great thing is we can worry about both!

 

[Chaels Arms]

He played 13:07 tonight. Hopefully this performance can bump him up to a well earned 13:30 next game.

 

[ReddestRum]

Good speed tonight and good IQ to be where he needed to be. Hope he continues to put points up.

 

[Savant]

Not surprised he looked better without Lafrneiere on that line.

 

[tomobson]

Not surprised he looked better without Lafrneiere on that line.

Maybe he does need some rest. I thought he was trending up and he was producing with Chytil when he first got demoted. I would like him to get a look on that third line with the Chytil Kakko combo.

 

[Savant]

Maybe he does need some rest. I thought he was trending up and he was producing with Chytil when he first got demoted. I would like him to get a look on that third line with the Chytil Kakko combo.

That’s a terrible idea. You need to have a least one vet on that line to stabilize it. The kid line obsession needs to stop. It’s not viable (yet) and it may never be.

 

[Kodiak]

That’s a terrible idea. You need to have a least one vet on that line to stabilize it.

I disagree. I know conventional wisdom is that a vet would provide a defensive conscience for the young players, but Kakko is already defensively responsible, and Chytil’s defense has been improving as well.

I’ve been thinking for a while the Kakko and Chytil could be 2/3 of an effective line. They have chemistry and history, and I think the reaction to the second goal shows that they enjoy playing together. Lafreniere could be the third piece if Gallant is willing to actually play the line and not just group them together to bury them in the lineup.

 

[Savant]

I disagree. I know conventional wisdom is that a vet would provide a defensive conscience for the young players, but Kakko is already defensively responsible, and Chytil’s defense has been improving as well.

I’ve been thinking for a while the Kakko and Chytil could be 2/3 of an effective line. They have chemistry and history, and I think the reaction to the second goal shows that they enjoy playing together. Lafreniere could be the third piece if Gallant is willing to actually play the line and not just group them together to bury them in the lineup.

It’s not about that. It’s a video game line right now. In reality you are putting three young players together who are still figuring out how to play their games consistently at an NHL level. They make mistakes and then they get benched. It’s a vicious cycle and there is plenty of evidence that this line doesn’t work. Gallant isn’t going to give that group time to grow. I’d rather have three good lines than two good lines. Also, it would be insane to disrupt that line from today after one of Kakko’s best games of the season. He is screaming for continuity. All three of them are. That’s why they shouldn’t play together. No one knows what to do, they look bad and they become an after thought

 

[Lgrsean]

It’s not about that. It’s a video game line right now. In reality you are putting three young players together who are still figuring out how to play their games consistently at an NHL level. They make mistakes and then they get benched. It’s a vicious cycle and there is plenty of evidence that this line doesn’t work. Gallant isn’t going to give that group time to grow. I’d rather have three good lines than two good lines. Also, it would be insane to disrupt that line from today after one of Kakko’s best games of the season. He is screaming for continuity. All three of them are. That’s why they shouldn’t play together. No one knows what to do, they look bad and they become an after thought

You can’t disrupt the kakko/chytil/goodrow line, top 2 lines are set. So do you want Laf on the 4th line, filling in for guys resting, or on the 4th line?

 

[Kodiak]

It’s not about that. It’s a video game line right now. In reality you are putting three young players together who are still figuring out how to play their games consistently at an NHL level. They make mistakes and then they get benched. It’s a vicious cycle and there is plenty of evidence that this line doesn’t work. Gallant isn’t going to give that group time to grow. I’d rather have three good lines than two good lines. Also, it would be insane to disrupt that line from today after one of Kakko’s best games of the season. He is screaming for continuity. All three of them are. That’s why they shouldn’t play together. No one knows what to do, they look bad and they become an after thought

They looked bad a year ago under Quinn when they were struggling in general. If you put three struggling players together, then yes, they are going to struggle together. It was a dumb move by Quinn at that time and really just a way for him to bury the three of them in the lineup.

But now, Chytil has been given clear direction by Gallant and is playing well. Kakko has been playing well all year and is hopefully picking up where he left off. They both seem to have better ideas of how to be effective at this level. I don’t think these players are in the same place as they were a year ago.

To me, it’s coming down to whether you want Goodrow or Lafreniere in the top 9. Strome is not coming out, as much as we may want him to, and our 7 other forwards are playing well. If Goodrow is in the top 9, there’s no room for Lafreniere.

 

[Lgrsean]

Not surprised he looked better without Lafrneiere on that line.

How many minute do you think Laf/chytil/kakko have had on the ice together this year?

 

[bhamill]

Ahahaha. Even a thread about Kakko, after a win, in which he played a good game, becomes an opportunity to shit on Lafreniere who did not even play. Ahahahahaha.

 

[The Sweetness]

Kakko is going to be huge for us this playoffs. As skeptical I’ve been toward Lafreniere I feel very bullish that Kakko is going to develop into a powerhouse.

I’d take a risk and try to lock him up long term similar to what the Devils did with Hughes but even lower $ because he is going to explode soon.

 

[Row I Goon]

Watching the game again I like the new improved Kaako - getting in good positions, not afraid to shoot. The first goal was moving in from higher in the slot, Sandstrom wasn’t screened but KKs release was so quick it beat him. Second was a Kreider special from almost point blank. Hoping it’s not an anomaly and he continues putting up points.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

It’s not about that. It’s a video game line right now. In reality you are putting three young players together who are still figuring out how to play their games consistently at an NHL level. They make mistakes and then they get benched. It’s a vicious cycle and there is plenty of evidence that this line doesn’t work. Gallant isn’t going to give that group time to grow. I’d rather have three good lines than two good lines. Also, it would be insane to disrupt that line from today after one of Kakko’s best games of the season. He is screaming for continuity. All three of them are. That’s why they shouldn’t play together. No one knows what to do, they look bad and they become an after thought

I know it'll never happen but I would swap Vatrano and Lafrenière. When all healthy, I'd go with this:

20-93-13
10-16-18
77-21-24
64-21-17

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Did anyone notice on TNT they flashed a graphic at the top - Kakko out for 30 whatever games -“Wrist” ?

First time I actually saw it referenced outside of here unless I missed something. I took a screenshot on my phone but whenever I take one when the app is on Altice one blacks it out

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Anyway- huge for Kakkos confidence getting the two, also for Chytil if he could stay on the ice. Maybe there’s a connection building here. Hell of a play and pass on the second goal.

 

[Inferno]

Did anyone notice on TNT they flashed a graphic at the top - Kakko out for 30 whatever games -“Wrist” ?

First time I actually saw it referenced outside of here unless I missed something. I took a screenshot on my phone but whenever I take one when the app is on Altice one blacks it out

Larry brooks had wrist surgery somewhere

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Larry brooks had wrist surgery somewhere

How's Larry recovering?

 

[Inferno]

How's Larry recovering?

 

[Inferno]

This wasn't about kakko playing well because.lafreniere wasn't there...it was about kakko playing well because chytil was there.

 

[Chytilmania]

Watching the game again I like the new improved Kaako - getting in good positions, not afraid to shoot. The first goal was moving in from higher in the slot, Sandstrom wasn’t screened but KKs release was so quick it beat him. Second was a Kreider special from almost point blank. Hoping it’s not an anomaly and he continues putting up points.

If Kakko can be strong around the net AND beat the goalie with wristers like that then he has the potential to be a monster, along with his puck possession near the walls and defense. Now we just need it consistently.

And cannot forget skating into the zone and going for the clapper Vatrano style.

 

[Savant]

You can’t disrupt the kakko/chytil/goodrow line, top 2 lines are set. So do you want Laf on the 4th line, filling in for guys resting, or on the 4th line?

I have no issue with that. Especially at this point of the season.

I know it'll never happen but I would swap Vatrano and Lafrenière. When all healthy, I'd go with this:

20-93-13
10-16-18
77-21-24
64-21-17

I mean if they really wanted to use this time to experiment

20-93-72
10-18-24
13-16-21
64-17-77

Not that this will happen, (or I would even do this right now), but especially with that second line, the Rangers NEED to figure out if Copp is a center before paying him, and quite frankly the need to see if Kakko works there too. I’ve said it before. I don’t think Kakko is a natural fit with any of the other “duos” the team has in place. If the plan is Copp at 2C, you need to see if it works; especially with Kakko being a part of that before investing.

 

[Savant]

This wasn't about kakko playing well because.lafreniere wasn't there...it was about kakko playing well because chytil was there.

These two things are related though. You can’t get away with all three of them on the same line. There is some evidence you can get away with Chytil with Lafreniere OR Kakko, but there is also evidence that as a trio, it does not work.

 

[Savant]

How many minute do you think Laf/chytil/kakko have had on the ice together this year?

Not a lot, because that line has a bait of getting benched. (And because of injuries). That line doesn’t pass the eye test either.