Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[duhmetreE]

What do you think Kakkos next contract will look like?

I can't see why he'd get more than Chytil unless he's fine with 3 years.

 

[LOFIN]

I'm still expecting similar type domination that we saw in Finland and in international competitions from him. The strength and confidence is just not there yet but I feel like it's on the horizon. If he never gets there he's still going to be a hella useful player for us

It feels like we have been saying this for 3 years now, but "the points will come" and I still believe that. Production is what is expected out of him, but him playing well is more important at this stage.

In no way am I trying to make a player comparison here, but MacKinnon had 3 pretty meh seasons after his rookie year. It took him until season #5 to finally become that 100 point scoring monster he is now. Kakko might never hit that 100 (which I think he has the skills to do), but if it takes him one or two more seasons to become a PPG player it has been worth it. Obviously wish it was now already because we are in a cup window here (not saying we are a top contender but you know what I mean), but patience usually pays off. Same goes for Laffy.

 

[Raspewtin]

He's been strong since returning from injury. Great hands, and he's really strong on the boards protecting the puck.

Having said that, why on Earth can't he finish 2-3 checks per game? He doesn't need to be Ryan Reaves out there, but he never engages physically and if he manned up once in a while he'd win a lot more puck battles and keep play alive for his line. Defenders would back off much more when they see #24 flying into the zone as well.

I like his game, but hate seeing him pull up on hits and wag his stick around like he's made of glass. Laf has taken that step to play physically more consistently, Kakko needs to follow suit IMO.

Not sure Kakko has the skating for this, tbh.

 

[QJL]

2 x 2.5

This would be a disaster deal for our long term future.

Extending Kakko for at least 4 years should be the priority over keeping Copp.

Hoping Drury makes the ballsy right decision and gets this kid locked up at 6+ years. Of course Kakko might want to wait until a break out to sign long term, but I’d do anything possible to get him extended for most of the decade.

 

[BB88]

This would be a disaster deal for our long term future.

Extending Kakko for at least 4 years should be the priority over keeping Copp.

Hoping Drury makes the ballsy right decision and gets this kid locked up at 6+ years. Of course Kakko might want to wait until a break out to sign long term, but I’d do anything possible to get him extended for most of the decade.

It really wouldn’t make sense for Kakko even if he isn’t a greedy player.

His offensive stats are that bad that he’d undersell himself too heavily

 

[mas0764]

What do you think Kakkos next contract will look like?

8x5.5 hopefully

This would be a disaster deal for our long term future.

Extending Kakko for at least 4 years should be the priority over keeping Copp.

Hoping Drury makes the ballsy right decision and gets this kid locked up at 6+ years. Of course Kakko might want to wait until a break out to sign long term, but I’d do anything possible to get him extended for most of the decade.

I agree but this team doesn’t consider the future.

 

[GAGLine]

8x5.5 hopefully


I agree but this team doesn’t consider the future.

Sure they do. They gave Fox a long term deal. They gave Staal and McDonagh long term deals out of their ELC.

The problem is cap space. We almost never had the cap space to extend younger guys long term while Slats was running things, and we don't have the cap space now.

 

[LionsHeart]

I thought he had another good game yesterday. He makes a lot of good plays that lead to chances or keeps up pressure. Very encouraging to see.

 

[gump116]

I thought he had another good game yesterday. He makes a lot of good plays that lead to chances or keeps up pressure. Very encouraging to see.

He seems like the definition of a 16 game player who just gets better in the playoffs. If you look at him as a prospect / ranger, great world juniors, then great world championships, dominant one game in traverse city tournament (doesn’t count but still), probably our best player in bubble playoffs, and raising his game again this year. Just the type of player you want and can rely on in big games, even if he has a mediocre regular season.

 

[Kovalev27]

This would be a disaster deal for our long term future.

Extending Kakko for at least 4 years should be the priority over keeping Copp.

Hoping Drury makes the ballsy right decision and gets this kid locked up at 6+ years. Of course Kakko might want to wait until a break out to sign long term, but I’d do anything possible to get him extended for most of the decade.

Honestly I’m leaning toward a 23 year old Chytil getting 20 mins a night as 2C letting Copp Vatrano and Strome walk.

I resign motte and Rooney and put Goodrow between Blais and Kravtsov

With slight opportunity for cuylle or Othmann to make team

I think we’re a better team with the three kids in the top 6 leave some cap for the deadline again

 

[Jabroni]

I have been really impressed with his board game and down low cycle. That’s the type of game you need to play to be successful in the playoffs. He seems to be one of the few people on this team that can protect the puck and grind down low to maintain possession. Looking forward to seeing him really refine his game and start racking up points. As Torts would say, he plays “the right way”.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

He’s shown a huge extra Push to his game in the playoffs, which is hopefully massive for not only the team but also his confidence.

No more BS, he has to be stapled to the top 6 next year.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

He has more playoff points than Jack Hughes.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Can't wait for tomorrow. It will be my most anticipated game of Kaapo's career!

idk if many of you watched him in junior .. kid is built for this! Clutch time baby!

 

[Rongomania]

He’s shown a huge extra Push to his game in the playoffs, which is hopefully massive for not only the team but also his confidence.

No more BS, he has to be stapled to the top 6 next year.

Boy would a big game 7 take his confidence to another level.

He has more playoff points than Jack Hughes.

Hope he's been texting him frequently.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Some guys are more natural point producers than others. Looking at their histories it doesn't seem like Chytil has ever been a big point producer. Kappo is more of a point producer and Laf is the best of the 3. Obviously that does not always translate to the NHL but in the case of these 3 I think that order will translate. I think KK could develop in to a 30-30 guy. I think Chytil could become a 20-25 guy.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Some guys are more natural point producers than others. Looking at their histories it doesn't seem like Chytil has ever been a big point producer. Kappo is more of a point producer and Laf is the best of the 3. Obviously that does not always translate to the NHL but in the case of these 3 I think that order will translate. I think KK could develop in to a 30-30 guy. I think Chytil could become a 20-25 guy.

Kakko has upside to be more than a 30-30 guy with elite defense.
Laf has upside to be a 100 pt guy.
And if chytil rides the middle between them he's going to just put up the quietest 70 point season in nhl history.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Kakko has upside to be more than a 30-30 guy with elite defense.
Laf has upside to be a 100 pt guy.
And if chytil rides the middle between them he's going to just put up the quietest 70 point season in nhl history.

I like your optimism. I think that may be overly optimistic but if Chytil has some 70 point seasons I will remember this post. I think Chytils upside point wise is closer to our old pal Artie.

 

[The New Russian Five]

I like your optimism. I think that may be overly optimistic but if Chytil has some 70 point seasons I will remember this post. I think Chytils upside point wise is closer to our old pal Artie.

The Artie comparison is pretty spot on for Chytil.

 

[LOFIN]

I will admit that it would be a huge disappointment if Kakko will not become a PPG guy. That said, if he becomes like a semi-Selke level winger, that's something that was not expected at all when I watched him play during his draft year. He slacked more defensively than Panarin and Strome combined.

 

[McRanger92]

Honestly I’m leaning toward a 23 year old Chytil getting 20 mins a night as 2C letting Copp Vatrano and Strome walk.

I resign motte and Rooney and put Goodrow between Blais and Kravtsov

With slight opportunity for cuylle or Othmann to make team

I think we’re a better team with the three kids in the top 6 leave some cap for the deadline again

Def starting to love the idea of Panarin-Mika-Kreider & Laf-Chytil-Kakko in the top 6. Motte is becoming a priority to re-sign after only 10 games with us

 

[LOFIN]

Def starting to love the idea of Panarin-Mika-Kreider & Laf-Chytil-Kakko in the top 6. Motte is becoming a priority to re-sign after only 10 games with us

We just have to hope that idea works and Gallant likes it as well. Because you don't need 3 first round picks to form a line. Likewise, you don't need all of the pieces in that line to be elite offensively (which 1st round top picks usually are). If Chytil can work as a sound guy for two top wingers, that should be a great line.

Strome should be gone. I'm not hiding the fact that I dislike him, but seriously. When we went down 2-0 last night people were basically calling for trading everything. Even Panarin. Then Zib and Kreider finally woke up.

Strome is like that. Looks great sometimes, but then he disapears and we already have plenty of vets who love to show up sometimes. Let it go. Besides, he sucks as a C anyway. I'd rather play Chytil as our 2nd line C next season.

 

[McRanger92]

We just have to hope that idea works and Gallant likes it as well. Because you don't need 3 first round picks to form a line. Likewise, you don't need all of the pieces in that line to be elite offensively (which 1st round top picks usually are). If Chytil can work as a sound guy for two top wingers, that should be a great line.

Strome should be gone. I'm not hiding the fact that I dislike him, but seriously. When we went down 2-0 last night people were basically calling for trading everything. Even Panarin. Then Zib and Kreider finally woke up.

Strome is like that. Looks great sometimes, but then he disapears and we already have plenty of vets who love to show up sometimes. Let it go. Besides, he sucks as a C anyway. I'd rather play Chytil as our 2nd line C next season.

I’d say let Strome walk, and I have no doubt gallant will be fine giving the kids more responsibility next year, he’s not the dope he’s made out to be.

I’d also still look to bring back Copp. He’s got tremendous value who plays every situation and any position in the top 9. More skillful Goodrow

 

[Rongomania]

Can't wait until he proves so many of our own fans wrong. It's gonna be beautiful.

 

[QJL]

We just have to hope that idea works and Gallant likes it as well. Because you don't need 3 first round picks to form a line. Likewise, you don't need all of the pieces in that line to be elite offensively (which 1st round top picks usually are). If Chytil can work as a sound guy for two top wingers, that should be a great line.

Strome should be gone. I'm not hiding the fact that I dislike him, but seriously. When we went down 2-0 last night people were basically calling for trading everything. Even Panarin. Then Zib and Kreider finally woke up.

Strome is like that. Looks great sometimes, but then he disapears and we already have plenty of vets who love to show up sometimes. Let it go. Besides, he sucks as a C anyway. I'd rather play Chytil as our 2nd line C next season.

Strome is gone. I don’t think there is even the slightest chance he’s back. He could play out if his mind and score 20 goals en route to a cup and he’ll still be gone. The Miller, Laf, Kakko contract trajectories are going up. There’s no room for Strome and there probably isn’t room for Copp either. Lock. The. Kids. Up.