Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[Snowsii]

Since Gerard Gallant has been Head Coach of the New York Rangers he has protected his individual players in press conference’s.
In this year’s playoffs he once said he felt his team looked tired and once said that his team played soft.
During the regular season he had called out the team for playing soft and also had said the “NHL is a Man’s game” and “They need to play like Men because this is a Man’s game”
Kaapo Kakko is a young developing player who doesn’t shoot enough, who over-passes and doesn’t take the body on any consistent basis. Kaapo Kakko does hold on to the puck well and when defending is good at stick-checking an opponent who has possession of the puck.
At this early point in his career, Kakko is playing soft. He is not playing like a Man in a Man’s Game.
If you are unable to connect the dots with all this information along with Kaapo being called out on ESPN. Then we will disagree on the term “pure speculation” which to me equates to making up something out of thin air. My speculation is based on the factual information I’ve provided in this and my previous posts.
Edit:
Multi Quote didn’t work; I did try to respond to both of you.

Still you're just speculating.. You got no facts to backup your claims

 

[NickyFotiu]

Yes, but it would be disappointing if he was only Van Riemsdyk, Reinhart, Niederreiter, Ladd, Vanek or Jordan Staal.

If he becomes a Sedin or Hubderdeau I'm still thrilled.

Don't you think he has a long way to go to even be at the level of your first group of players? Great to have high hopes. I have high hopes as well but for right now "you are what your record says you are" (Bill Parcells)

 

[DuneGoon84]

He can't. His plug coach won't play him even though the stats showed he should.

You guys who talk about all of Kakko's limitations, fine. But those chance stats don't lie. They mirror the eye test. The coach took his best line and broke it up. He also didn't play them enough. It led to a series where we didn't have many chances.

We can all be right here. Kakko needs to be better, but he was better than MOST of the guys who played more than him and never got dropped or scratched.

He is deflecting, don't feed the troll anymore material so he can go off on tangents and not address the main issue at hand. That is he sucks as a coach under high pressure situations. He nearly cost us the penguins series.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Gallant may have been playing 4D chess. Maybe he sensed Kakko was too beta and he wanted to light a fire under his ass, who knows, maybe this will be Kakko's villain origin story.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Whatever the reason, it was just wrong. Also, it will be non-consequential.

Just a bad taste in the mouth and a whole lotta room for obnoxious speculation.

 

[OrlandK]

. Also, it will be non-consequential.

Just a bad taste in the mouth and a whole l

The Kid Line started off great and wilted, other than LAF, when the Lightening turned up the physicality. There was no real alternative to Chytil, who is pretty soft, at center so Fil was safe. So GG made his one move - to let Hunt, who at least can skate and bang, in instead of KK, who was weakening game by game. Strange move for sure but not without any logic at all. Not like KK was producing. I'll defer to GG who did a great job with this team.

Kappo said all the right things so hopefully he takes the benching to heart and works hard to improve his game. Still so young and his future is bright although his ceiling is undetermined. He is not twitchy athletic so for him to max out he will need to have a grinding mentality.

 

[Hire Sather]

Kakko taking the scratching alot better than some of you.

 

[Sisu4ever]

Yeah, a lot of confusion and noise about the scratching, but gotta put it all behind us and look ahead for an even greater new season with GG, KK, Krav and the whole NYR team.
The NYR outperformed themselves this season, and will be even better next season.
I believe Kakko will work hard this summer on his weaknesses.

 

[will1066]

Gallant may have been playing 4D chess. Maybe he sensed Kakko was too beta and he wanted to light a fire under his ass, who knows, maybe this will be Kakko's villain origin story.

Can you use your digital artistic skills to add disorderly clown makeup on Kakko's headshot to signify the start of this?

 

[Larrybiv]

Well obviously I'm not actively seeking out guys who need to be coddled but if a guy presents those characteristics, especially after I've already invested heavily in him, I will realize I need to be flexible enough to accomodate him. Talent and skill are more important because maturity and teaching and HELPING a player grow are far easier things to learn than natural ability. You don't want an outright bad egg, but I've heard a lot of people label Kravtsov and Kakko with things on here that are probably no more than immaturity from young adults who quite frankly are not mentally mature yet and that is to be expected. Helping them get there is the answer rather than just blanket assertions of "Well if they aren't professionals on their own, I don't want them."

Very nicely stated, and guessing you may be a DAD or at the very least some kind of coach (even if it's little league).

 

[chosen]

I still believe that something happened between Gallant and Kakko and both of them are refusing to speak about it, as it should be.

I've always believed that the coach is an overrated thing, but people bitching when this team miraculously made it to the Semis is all the proof you'll ever need that a certain group of fans can never accept that their team lost because the other team was better. An individual must always be singled out for abuse.

 

[chosen]

Very nicely stated, and guessing you may be a DAD or at the very least some kind of coach (even if it's little league).

Except, the way the world works is that you are judged by your actions, even more so when in the public eye. Kravtsov has earned his criticism. He has plenty of opportunity to turn his image around, but so far he has acted stupidly.

 

[will1066]

LOL if you are going to try to insult someone at least learn how to spell the actual word. Now I hope I didn't hurt your feelings by pointing that out. I don't want you to feel like you were not coddled enough.

Look, I came here for an argument! This is abuse!

 

[Larrybiv]

Depends on which GG you believe exists. The one in pressers who admits he doesn't talk much to the players about strategy, doesn't give speeches that are longer than 10 seconds, has assistants realize when to use time outs etc., or the mastermind that some on this site believe exists who pretends to be the dumb guy because behind closed doors he's a stronger, smarter Jon Cooper.

I believe he is a strong, smart S.O.B. that know exactly HOW to handle the press and WHAT he wants to say, to make them believe anything he wants them to believe. Here, here's a bone......now fetch. He was a PLAYER in this league and as smart as he is, knowing full well that HE wouldn't wanna be singled out negatively, you can rest assure he wouldn't do it to his own team.]
Thats NOT his STYLE.

 

[NikC]

I still believe that something happened between Gallant and Kakko and both of them are refusing to speak about it, as it should be.

I've always believed that the coach is an overrated thing, but people bitching when this team miraculously made it to the Semis is all the proof you'll ever need that a certain group of fans can never accept that their team lost because the other team was better. An individual must always be singled out for abuse.

when the rangers play well its based upon miracles...

when they lose its based on talent?

 

[bleedblue94]

This is the problem right here. If you scratch a player, wouldnt it be better to tell him upfront and explain why he is scratched? It blows my mind Gallant is stupid enough to do this? Kakko comes ready for the game and finds out his jersey isnt in place - "I`m not playing?". Then no explanation why and 2 days later he still wonders... That is unreal shitty management.

I mean reaves was scratched and he knew exactly why without anyone telling him. Go listen to reaves interview and you'll see the difference between a mature vet and a kid. Chytil and laf were great and kakko was just there for the most part. Compete wasn't on the same level shift to shift.

 

[jonlin]

I mean reaves was scratched and he knew exactly why without anyone telling him. Go listen to reaves interview and you'll see the difference between a mature vet and a kid. Chytil and laf were great and kakko was just there for the most part. Compete wasn't on the same level shift to shift.

And...? Are you actually comparing a 4th liner/goon to a young player? Kakko has the skill to play actual hockey, when Reaves has other strenghts. I`d assume it would be beneficial to tell the kid what he has to improve to not get scratched? Or do you believe silence is the key? "Think about why you were scratched for the next month or so, I`m not telling..."

 

[LOFIN]

Or do you believe silence is the key? "Think about why you were scratched for the next month or so, I`m not telling..."

Gallant is life coaching Kakko to deal with women

 

[NYRFANMANI]

0:28 take it from Mr. Adam Fox that Kaapo has magic hands.

Idk what to say really. People talking about "grind mentality" and shit.

Next season can't come soon enough.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I mean reaves was scratched and he knew exactly why without anyone telling him. Go listen to reaves interview and you'll see the difference between a mature vet and a kid. Chytil and laf were great and kakko was just there for the most part. Compete wasn't on the same level shift to shift.

If a player has no clue why they were scratched (they usually do) they will usually just ask an assistant coach or the head coach. It is not a big deal. Kakko hasn't made it in to a big deal. Its fans on a messageboard doing that. This is hockey. This is the NHL. This isn't about fans feelings.

 

[jonlin]

Gallant is life coaching Kakko to deal with women

Yeah. Gallant is pretty much a bald version of my wife, without the tits.

If a player has no clue why they were scratched (they usually do) they will usually just ask an assistant coach or the head coach. It is not a big deal. Kakko hasn't made it in to a big deal. Its fans on a messageboard doing that. This is hockey. This is the NHL. This isn't about fans feelings.

This is about a coach that cant communicate. If Gallant thinks every person can read his mind, maybe its time to stop coaching? No wonder Rags lost to Tampa if this is the case.

 

[bleedblue94]

Youre assuming they haven't been telling the kid for 3 years what he needs to improve on. This isn't something that just manifested itself. Kakko has underperformed for years...

 

[LOFIN]

Youre assuming they haven't been telling the kid for 3 years what he needs to improve on. This isn't something that just manifested itself. Kakko has underperformed for years...

Kakko has told to Finnish media the Rangers tell him nothing regarding on how to train during the summers etc. They leave it to the players themselves.

 

[Kupo]

And...? Are you actually comparing a 4th liner/goon to a young player? Kakko has the skill to play actual hockey, when Reaves has other strenghts. I`d assume it would be beneficial to tell the kid what he has to improve to not get scratched? Or do you believe silence is the key? "Think about why you were scratched for the next month or so, I`m not telling..."

Torts said it best. The players determine how much playing time they get, not him.

Gallant treated Kakko the same way he treats everyone else in that locker room. He’s a 21 year old kid in his third year. He doesn’t need to be coddled.

I disagree with his decision to scratch KK, but I don’t think a sit down or explanation was needed.

 

[jonlin]

Torts said it best. The players determine how much playing time they get, not him.

Gallant treated Kakko the same way he treats everyone else in that locker room. He’s a 21 year old kid in his third year. He doesn’t need to be coddled.

I disagree with his decision to scratch KK, but I don’t think a sit down or explanation was needed.

Ofcourse you explain why you scratch a player if you are a coach! You explain because you want the player to buy into your system or perform better. Or then you want to try a different approach to the game. There is absolutely no reason not to tell why you scratch someone. It would be idiotic! If you want to burn bridges, then its the way to go. And yes - I have coached both juniors and adults. I coached soccer, but I`d assume ppl are alike and it doesnt depend what sport it is. I still have no beef with Kakko beeing scratched, only with Gallants behaviour.