Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[Savant]

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.

And I’m fine with Lafreniere (or Kakko) on line 4. Its all about being ready for the postseason now. If one of them has to be on Line 4 so the team can roll three lines instead of just two, then so be it. Let someone earn a higher spot/wait for (god forbid) Vatrano to slow down to create a spot.

 

[Savant]

So do you want Laf on the 4th line, filling in for guys resting, or on the 4th line?

No problem with either. Honestly don’t think Lafreniere (or Kakko) on Line 4 is a bad thing in the playoffs. Shame that Motte is out though, because it would have looked a lot better with Motte back there.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Sorry I didn’t notice I was in NYR thread I though I was on main board.

 

[leetch99]

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 like Lafreniere on the top line as well....although it would be subject to change as the guys go or don't go . A good line up should be interchangeable when needed.

 

[JohnC]

Total mad lad

 

[rangersfansince08]

How is Kakka Crappo’s development going?

Go away loser

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

How is Kakka Crappo’s development going?

Better than the Habs season.

 

[JimmyG89]

How is Kakka Crappo’s development going?

Your president of hockey ops drafted him #2 overall. Probably not the burn you are hoping it is, he's running your organization now.

 

[Tetragrammaton]

Your president of hockey ops drafted him #2 overall. Probably not the burn you are hoping it is, he's running your organization now.

Again sorry I didn’t notice I was on NYR boards I though I was on main boards.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Again sorry I didn’t notice I was on NYR boards I though I was on main boards.

No worries, Jovo always thinks hes on the main boards too

 

[Lgrsean]

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.

It’s been 10 minutes over 16 games. Do you actually remember a game where they actually played together this season?

I know you’re worried about this line, but it’s not because of anything they’ve done together this season. They need to be given a chance because the best version of the other 3 lines doesn’t include them. None of them belong on a checking line with Rooney and Hunt, but Goodrow’s game fits well there. The top 2 lines are playing the best they have all year as they are currently set up.

 

[bhamill]

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.

Well, I think he's shown he has the ability. Now he needs the opportunity and he needs to find consistency when given that opportunity. He's 21, he is no where near a finished product.

 

[will1066]

Kaapo Kakko is flame-grilling with 100% beef.

 

[tomobson]

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've given up seeing Goodrow at center. GG does not seem to like him in that position and will only use him there as a last resort.

 

[dshea19]

I know they won't do this, but Laf/Copp/Kakko might be an amazing line. You could put Chytil on the Panarin line at wing. However, the Panarin line has too much good going for it right now, so I could easily understand them not wanting to change that.

 

[Rangerboy030]

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

Double shifting Goodrow?

Guess you meant 77 - 72 - 24. I like those combinations as well.

 

[mas0764]

His reads are bad right now. The biggest thing is he doesn't really seem to have a feel for where he needs to be when supporting his linemate along the wall

Hopefully that continues to come with experience and getting back up to game speed.

 

[mas0764]

You can’t disrupt the kakko/chytil/goodrow line

Sure you can.

The amount of "you can't do that," with mediocre veterans on this board is astonishing.

 

[will1066]

I know they won't do this, but Laf/Copp/Kakko might be an amazing line. You could put Chytil on the Panarin line at wing. However, the Panarin line has too much good going for it right now, so I could easily understand them not wanting to change that.

Not a good idea to put Chytil with Panarin. This current straight-line Chytil is the best version of Chytil, and that's how he should be to have an NHL career as a tweener 3C/2C. Put Chytil with Panarin, and he might regress to being an east-west Midtown Globetrotter like Breadman, who can get away with it because of his otherworldly skill set. Chytil is no Panarin.

 

[mas0764]

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.

He definitely needs to hang out with Vatrano some.

 

[mas0764]

Again sorry I didn’t notice I was on NYR boards I though I was on main boards.

It's totally cool to troll if you are on a main board rather than the team board.

 

[Lgrsean]

Sure you can.

The amount of "you can't do that," with mediocre veterans on this board is astonishing.

I was repeating the comment I quoted in my post. It should be Laf/chytil/kakko and I don’t think Gallant is going to keep the goodrow/chytil/kakko Lind together just bc kakko scored 2 goals against the flyers ahl players.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

This is all about confidence and comfortableness with Kakko. He tore up mostly anything he touched in his career. Every player has to take his time getting comfy in the best league in the world.

JT Miller always had the tools, didn't have the proper mentality. Next year, with a big boy contract Kakko will (slowly) start unleashing.

Also Kemell didn't get to break/sniff Kakko's records in the Liiga, thankfully.

 

[Fitzy]

Sure you can.

The amount of "you can't do that," with mediocre veterans on this board is astonishing.

Wait, are we the mediocre veterans?

 

[Mugless]

Seems pretty clear that no kids will be in the top six for the playoffs.