Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[Hunter Gathers]

Some people just seem to be actively rooting against him, and although Kakko does do some things really well, he hasn’t shown that “wow factor” that Laf or even other players from his draft class have shown.

I still think he winds up a good player, and I don’t think this franchise did him any favors in his first 2 years, but he’s just not shown anything to live up to his draft position.

Who on this board is doing that?

Please cite the posts, too. Very curious where this view comes from.

Should a 2nd OA pick in his 3rd season need quality linemates to look good, or should he be able to do it himself?

Ah, but isn't this sort of a chicken or the egg scenario?

Normally, those kind of rookies earn the better spots. Kakko has never done that. So while he can't get good line mates, he's done nothing to show that he's worthy of them.

 

[LokiDog]

Should a 2nd OA pick in his 3rd season need quality linemates to look good, or should he be able to do it himself?

I’m reporting you

 

[bleedblue94]

All you have to do is compare Laf's and Kap's level of play.

To take that a step further laf has had plenty of struggles and I have openly questioned what his standout attribute is. This postseason he has shown his compete is exceptional. Laf has evolved from a player in the regular season you would have moments that you'd question his value in a game or if he's earned his ice time, but during the playoffs there's been no such question at all. He's elevated.

Kakko has been playing at the type of level I would expect from Dryden Hunt, and that's not a knock on Hunt, it's just that kakko has mostly been replacement level with his play. And the fact people want to point to a missed empty net in game 1 and a lack of confidence from that affecting him in game 5 is just ridiculous. Athletes at this level can't go 4 games moping bc they missed an empty net from 20' away. You can't be that mentally fragile. Kakko has been absolute irrelevant which is disgusting from a top pick

 

[LionsHeart]

To take that a step further laf has had plenty of struggles and I have openly questioned what his standout attribute is. This postseason he has shown his compete is exceptional. Laf has evolved from a player in the regular season you would have moments that you'd question his value in a game or if he's earned his ice time, but during the playoffs there's been no such question at all. He's elevated.

Kakko has been playing at the type of level I would expect from Dryden Hunt, and that's not a knock on Hunt, it's just that kakko has mostly been replacement level with his play. And the fact people want to point to a missed empty net in game 1 and a lack of confidence from that affecting him in game 5 is just ridiculous. Athletes at this level can't go 4 games moping bc they missed an empty net from 20' away. You can't be that mentally fragile. Kakko has been absolute irrelevant which is disgusting from a top pick

In fairness I thought Kakko played well in the Penguins series. This series has been a whole other story. I agree, if he’s that messed up from the missed empty net that’s a bad sign. A lot of great players have missed opportunities like that. It what they do going forward that makes them great.

 

[Chaels Arms]

I don't think he's been great this series.

I just don't think there's 9 other forwards who've been clearly better than him.

Especially in a game where the team put up the least amount of shots it has in the past 94 games.

 

[DanielBrassard]

I'm really tired of hearing about how good he's going to be when he's 24 when the Rangers are in a dogfight to get to the f***ing conference finals and who knows how much further. It's not his fault that the Rangers are down 3-2 necessarily but if he actually lived up to the billing they'd probably be in a better spot right now. Who gives a shit about him at 24, he might not even be on the team then. When you win the lottery you expect those picks to make an impact immediately, spare me the he's only 21 crap.

 

[bleedblue94]

In fairness I thought Kakko played well in the Penguins series. This series has been a whole other story. I agree, if he’s that messed up from the missed empty net that’s a bad sign. A lot of great players have missed opportunities like that. It what they do going forward that makes them great.

I also look at this and say to myself where was chytil at the end of his 3rd season coming off his elc. There's a serious question which of kakko or chytil at the same point of their careers was on a better trajectory, and that's not even accounting for draft positions.

I totally understand these are kids that will continue to grow but kakko doesn't show you elite skating, stick handling, shooting, passing, physically, and now compete. So where is he going as an NHL player??

 

[LionsHeart]

I don't think he's been great this series.

I just don't think there's 9 other forwards who've been clearly better than him.

Especially in a game where the team put up the least amount of shots it has in the past 94 games.

That’s why I think he should be on the third line. He hasn’t played well, but it’s not like he’s the only one.

 

[Brutananadilewski]

So where is he going as an NHL player??

McDonalds

 

[mas0764]

Why do people keep blasting KK? Kakko looked great on the kid line. Him going to the 4th line has less to do with KK and more to do with GG trying to get Motte more ice time. Far bigger fish to fry right now than a 21 year old

People are mad he missed the open net.

He hasn’t been bad. He’s been actually good at times. Do we want more? Of course. But it’s not time to run him off or anything.

 

[bleedblue94]

I'm really tired of hearing about how good he's going to be when he's 24 when the Rangers are in a dogfight to get to the f***ing conference finals and who knows how much further. It's not his fault that the Rangers are down 3-2 necessarily but if he actually lived up to the billing they'd probably be in a better spot right now. Who gives a shit about him at 24, he might not even be on the team then. When you win the lottery you expect those picks to make an impact immediately, spare me the he's only 21 crap.

I won't be the slightest bit surprised if he isn't here next season. He's due a contract and Drury didn't draft him (I know he was here but he's a gorts pick). If he's on the 4th line now how is he going to be in a top 6 role next year? He's earned absolutely nothing at this point...

 

[LionsHeart]

I also look at this and say to myself where was chytil at the end of his 3rd season coming off his elc. There's a serious question which of kakko or chytil at the same point of their careers was on a better trajectory, and that's not even accounting for draft positions.

I totally understand these are kids that will continue to grow but kakko doesn't show you elite skating, stick handling, shooting, passing, physically, and now compete. So where is he going as an NHL player??

The one thing he does well is hold onto the puck and cycle down low. I actually think he’s a pretty good passer. He has a decent shot, but his selection isn’t great and sometimes he just doesn’t shoot at all.

I feel like his skating is his weakest point for sure.

I just look at that Tournament before the draft to now and I’m just puzzled it’s the same player. He looked so good even against NHL defensemen.

 

[LokiDog]

My wife knows pretty little overall about hockey. More than the average non-HF poster, I guess. But she looks at me and goes “they should trade Kakko while people still think he has potential. If Reaves doesn’t fight, what’s the difference between Kakko and Reaves?”

She doesn’t understand the significance of a #2OA, honestly, and I’m not saying that this was a particularly insightful take. Not am I actually advocating trading him. Teams need guys like Nichushkin and Armia and Lehkonen. The Lightning traded a lot for Goodrow, Coleman, Hagel, etc. These guys are valuable.

My point is… we should probably start thinking of Kakko as a bottom six player and stop with pretending theres an offensive star in there.

 

[bleedblue94]

People are mad he missed the open net.

He hasn’t been bad. He’s been actually good at times. Do we want more? Of course. But it’s not time to run him off or anything.

He's been replacement level. He's done nothing to assert himself or stand out. I couldn't care less about the missed net, those things happen.

 

[DanielBrassard]

I won't be the slightest bit surprised if he isn't here next season. He's due a contract and Drury didn't draft him (I know he was here but he's a gorts pick). If he's on the 4th line now how is he going to be in a top 6 role next year? He's earned absolutely nothing at this point...

I couldn't care less if he is or isn't. Just improve the team.

 

[LokiDog]

McDonalds

Wow. It’s a nice McDonalds.

 

[mas0764]

He's been replacement level. He's done nothing to assert himself or stand out. I couldn't care less about the missed net, those things happen.

Offensively he’s been not so good. Albeit unlucky too. Defensively he’s been way above replacement level. He may have been our best defensive forward at one point this season.

 

[Crease]

Kakko has all the potential. But I’m not confident Kakko can realize it himself or that the club will push him to do it. My prediction is Kakko is traded in the next couple seasons.

 

[bleedblue94]

The one thing he does well is hold onto the puck and cycle down low. I actually think he’s a pretty good passer. He has a decent shot, but his selection isn’t great and sometimes he just doesn’t shoot at all.

I feel like his skating is his weakest point for sure.

I just look at that Tournament before the draft to now and I’m just puzzled it’s the same player. He looked so good even against NHL defensemen.

I think his shot is a complete muffin. In three years how many times has he beaten an NHL goalie with his actual shot?

I agree with you about the wc prior to the draft. Just seems he had a high point bc he has never looked even close to that player since the draft. Some players just can't transition to the NHL and that game. It doesn't mean I hate kakko or anything, I'm just not going down the rabbit hole of excuses for yet another high pick that isn't meeting any level of realistic expectations. No one expects him to be a top NHL player, but they do expect him to be a legit NHL contributor that has EARNED his place. If he wasn't drafted 2oa does anyone even care about him right now?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Should a 2nd OA pick in his 3rd season need quality linemates to look good, or should he be able to do it himself?

Are you expecting him create offense playing with Reaves and Rooney? He was MORE than fine playing on that 3rd line.

 

[bleedblue94]

Offensively he’s been not so good. Albeit unlucky too. Defensively he’s been way above replacement level. He may have been our best defensive forward at one point this season.

You can't be unlucky for three seasons.

You don't hang you hat on "He may have been our best defensive forward at one point this season" for a 2oa pick. That's just ridiculous

 

[The Crypto Guy]

All you have to do is compare Laf's and Kap's level of play.

Please, if we did that the whole team would look like shit, Laf has emerged as a leader during the playoffs and is usually the only one looking to try an win a game.

 

[LokiDog]

Nichushkin is a great comparable for Kakko. Unfortunately, Nichushkin’s feet move about 8x faster, which has done a lot towards keeping him in the NHL.

 

[mas0764]

You can't be unlucky for three seasons.

You don't hang you hat on "He may have been our best defensive forward at one point this season" for a 2oa pick. That's just ridiculous

Well I am not saying he was unlucky for 3 seasons, and he does need to improve his offense no doubt. Just saying I think he’s been better than his numbers have looked. And that he’s not replacement level.

 

[LokiDog]

Please, if we did that the whole team would look like shit, Laf has emerged as a leader during the playoffs and is usually the only one looking to try an win a game.

It’s amazing our luck though. We get Panarin T 12M with no heart and we get Laf on his ELC with all heart and if we could give either half of the other, they’d both be 8M players, but instead we get this.