Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[ajdj10]

Surely Gallant needs to tell Kakko why he got scratched......
Kakko seemed perplexed as fuk as to why he didn't play game 6

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Surely Gallant needs to tell Kakko why he got scratched......
Kakko seemed perplexed as fuk as to why he didn't play game 6

Well, it didn't make sense. Kakko was one of the team's best forwards all post-season and part of without a doubt the best line 5v5. By breaking up that line, Gallant robbed himself of the only thing that was working at even strength.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

This site has a lot of strange takes, but the people who think GG can do no wrong are the strangest by a mile.

GG was a player!!!! So what? Read every post on this site. Players aren't well thought of.

Forget benching Kakko. Splitting up the kid line but not the Panarin line was egregious. GG had a BAD series. He had a great year. Those things can both exist.

 

[ajdj10]

Well, it didn't make sense. Kakko was one of the team's best forwards all post-season and part of without a doubt the best line 5v5. By breaking up that line, Gallant robbed himself of the only thing that was working at even strength.

Not sure if you've seen Kakko's presser but yeah he's just as puzzled as the rest of us. Which is a bit odd to say the least.
You'd like to think that Gallant would tell him why he was scratched if not before the game then at least in their exit interviews...
How's he supposed to know what he's doing wrong to improve so he doesn't get scratched again?

 

[McRanger92]

This is just more evidence pointing to the Rangers being the problem, not the player. Trading Kakko will almost certainly result in him hitting his potential and us regreting the trade.

Just like Lias Andersson?

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

I really hope we all understand next year:

If Kakko comes in to camp like a new person and is everything we hoped for next season, it is NOT because GG benched him.

If Kakko comes in to camp and doesn't improve in the key areas we all know he needs to improve, it is NOT because GG benched him.

Whatever happens will be because of the player. I expect him to succeed and I will laugh at people who thank GG for making the team worse in game 6 as the "motivation" he needed. Spare me.

 

[alkurtz]

You would have to think that there is going to be some communication this summer that will serve to clear the air. After all, despite what many on the boards thought would be a further worsening of the relationship between Drury and Kravtsov and the Rangers could not wait to wash their hands of him, there appears to have been ongoing dialogue and the potential for him to be a contributor to the team going forward. Yes, GG handled this incorrectly and it is up to him and Drury to reach out to KK. Perhaps this has already happened. Let's not overreact (hah!). The summer is long and certainly clearer heads will prevail. I saw a thing on a Detroit fan site yesterday that said they should be able to get KK for a 4th round draft pick. I'm not even sure that, if they offered their 1st round pick for KK, that the Rangers would bite. By training camp, this is likely to have been addressed and forgotten, except here, where it will resonate for years.

 

[McRanger92]

You would have to think that there is going to be some communication this summer that will serve to clear the air. After all, despite what many on the boards thought would be a further worsening of the relationship between Drury and Kravtsov and the Rangers could not wait to wash their hands of him, there appears to have been ongoing dialogue and the potential for him to be a contributor to the team going forward. Yes, GG handled this incorrectly and it is up to him and Drury to reach out to KK. Perhaps this has already happened. Let's not overreact (hah!). The summer is long and certainly clearer heads will prevail. I saw a thing on a Detroit fan site yesterday that said they should be able to get KK for a 4th round draft pick. I'm not even sure that, if they offered their 1st round pick for KK, that the Rangers would bite. By training camp, this is likely to have been addressed and forgotten, except here, where it will resonate for years.

The funny thing about all the hand-wringing over the scratch is that Kakko handled it better than most people here. He said exactly what youd want him to say. Wasn't happy about it, and will use it as motivation next year. No one is offer sheeting him, and the Rangers aren't going to be giving him away(although its reasonable to assume he'd be available in a trade for a 2C upgrade).

We need to see some big improvement from him next year though. Another ~20 point season is not going to cut it. If he doesnt take a large step forward, his actual and perceived value around the league is going to take a massive hit. Not good for NYR or Kakko.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Just like Lias Andersson?

Preposterous rebuttal. Can't compare the two. Specially talking NHL.

 

[McRanger92]

Preposterous rebuttal. Can't compare the two. Specially talking NHL.

The original statement was preposterous. Why does everything have to be so dramatic?

 

[IDvsEGO]

The funny thing about all the hand-wringing over the scratch is that Kakko handled it better than most people here. He said exactly what youd want him to say. Wasn't happy about it, and will use it as motivation next year. No one is offer sheeting him, and the Rangers aren't going to be giving him away(although its reasonable to assume he'd be available in a trade for a 2C upgrade).

We need to see some big improvement from him next year though. Another ~20 point season is not going to cut it. If he doesnt take a large step forward, his actual and perceived value around the league is going to take a massive hit. Not good for NYR or Kakko.

exactly. Gallant's actions separated Kakko's result from his coaching.
If he'd scratched kakko because he wanted to add more speed to the lineup and told the kid that. Kakko adding speed is a direct cause and effect from gallant.
Now? if kakko does it, its because he's decided to do it himself without input from the coach.

It seems absolutely insane to divest yourself from an outcome with a player they would be disappointed if they're not in the top 6 to start next season.

 

[Mac n Gs]

The original statement was preposterous. Why does everything have to be so dramatic?

Because our fanbase loves manufactured outrage? Meanwhile, in reality:


Sounds again like another irreparable situation that Drury will totally botch just like Kravtsov who everyone is penciling into the starting lineup next year

 

[GENESISPuck94]

Kakko ranked 2nd in Rangers and 4th in the entire series in scoring chance contributions per 60

I'm glad my eye test passed. The kid is a very good possession player. When he gets the puck down low he's hard to remove from the puck. If I were his limemate when he gets the puck I'd plant myself in front of the net.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

The original statement was preposterous. Why does everything have to be so dramatic?

It’s not preposterous to suggest that the Rangers management mishandles young players, particularly forwards. The response to that suggestion is typically like “I don’t want players who need to be coddled” or “toughen up.” There is a middle ground between the two. The young kids need to develop thicker skin, sure, and the Rangers can treat them with a little more respect in how they handle the situations. Whether you or I or the Rangers management likes this “everyone gets a trophy” culture that developed is not the issue; the culture exists. Being successful as an organization moving into the future requires acknowledgement of it, particularly if they want the younger generation to be a part of that success. Acknowledging that culture does not mean accepting it, but understanding the mental makeup of a young person these days and the world they grew up in can help an older person communicate in terms that make that player feel respected, wanted, and motivated. It’s just a reality people have to accept and everyone can yell at the clouds about how much they hate that; I don’t particularly like it either. Doesn’t change it.

Because our fanbase loves manufactured outrage? Meanwhile, in reality:


Sounds again like another irreparable situation that Drury will totally botch just like Kravtsov who everyone is penciling into the starting lineup next year

Encouraging remarks from Drury. At least he responded to the question.

 

[LOFIN]

It would be stupid for either the organization to give up on the player or vice versa at this point so early in his career, so it's good to hear these comments from Drury and hopefully there's truth in them. I still absolutely believe there's a very potential star player in Kakko, and for Kakko the Rangers are a very likely contender and New York is a dream city to play in.

 

[bhamill]

Player A: 0.44 P/GP

Player B: 0.59 P/GP

Player C: 0.40 P/GP

Player D: 0.65 P/GP

Player E: 0.39 P/GP

Player F: 0.45 P/GP


D+3 production of top-3 picks. One of these is Kaapo Kakko. Want to guess which one he is? And who the other 5 players are?

This reminds me of the old joke:
Q: How do you keep an idiot in suspense?
A: I'll tell you later.
Hahahaha.

Come on Steven, don't keep me in suspense.

It would be stupid for either the organization to give up on the player or vice versa at this point so early in his career, so it's good to hear these comments from Drury and hopefully there's truth in them. I still absolutely believe there's a very potential star player in Kakko, and for Kakko the Rangers are a very likely contender and New York is a dream city to play in.

Well sure, but where is the DRAMA in THAT?!?
Some people live for that shit.

 

[McRanger92]

It’s not preposterous to suggest that the Rangers management mishandles young players, particularly forwards. The response to that suggestion is typically like “I don’t want players who need to be coddled” or “toughen up.” There is a middle ground between the two. The young kids need to develop thicker skin, sure, and the Rangers can treat them with a little more respect in how they handle the situations. Whether you or I or the Rangers management likes this “everyone gets a trophy” culture that developed is not the issue; the culture exists. Being successful as an organization moving into the future requires acknowledgement of it, particularly if they want the younger generation to be a part of that success. Acknowledging that culture does not mean accepting it, but understanding the mental makeup of a young person these days and the world they grew up in can help an older person communicate in terms that make that player feel respected, wanted, and motivated. It’s just a reality people have to accept and everyone can yell at the clouds about how much they hate that; I don’t particularly like it either. Doesn’t change it.


Encouraging remarks from Drury. At least he responded to the question.

I don't think they've mishandled any of their young players if I'm being honest. Its far too soon to call any of these guys a finished product. Chytil was drafted before the rebuild even started and will still only be 23 going into next season. Do we really think Kakko would be lighting the league on fire on a different team? If so, I've got a bridge to sell you.

 

[will1066]

"It is a nice offseason."

Anyway, non-news. I'm sure this place will continue to dissect unabated the "Kakktroversy" into a million little itty pieces over the next couple of months.

 

[CLW]

Because our fanbase loves manufactured outrage? Meanwhile, in reality:


Sounds again like another irreparable situation that Drury will totally botch just like Kravtsov who everyone is penciling into the starting lineup next year

"At least someone spoke to him" in the comments

Jokes aside I'm glad they had an adult conversation. It's time the kid starts to stand up for himself.

 

[LOFIN]

Do we really think Kakko would be lighting the league on fire on a different team? If so, I've got a bridge to sell you.

I do believe that on a different team where he would have to be leaned upon for offence vs this Rangers team that has veteran star players and another top prospect(s), he would have been more productive. Absolutely.

On the other hand, I don't think he's the 200ft player he's now with Rangers because his defensive game was non-existent before the draft. To the point, that you could very well argue he was a burden for the team when he was without the puck. And we saw that in his first year.

Now could this have been prevented with the Rangers? Not entirely, you can't really make an excuse to put Kakko or Lafreniere to PP1 in front of Mika, Kreider or Panarin. Before Strome maybe. Should these young players have had a better opportunity with the top players instead of playing Blackwell, Vatrano, Copp, Blais, Goodrow and whatnot in the top-6? Maybe. In the end, the development of Laf and Kakko was always going to be slower because of the players in front of them in the lineup. That's just the way it goes.

 

[McRanger92]

I do believe that on a different team where he would have to be leaned upon for offence vs this Rangers team that has veteran star players and another top prospect(s), he would have been more productive. Absolutely.

On the other hand, I don't think he's the 200ft player he's now with Rangers because his defensive game was non-existent before the draft. To the point, that you could very well argue he was a burden for the team when he was without the puck. And we saw that in his first year.

Now could this have been prevented with the Rangers? Not entirely, you can't really make an excuse to put Kakko or Lafreniere to PP1 in front of Mika, Kreider or Panarin. Before Strome maybe. Should these young players have had a better opportunity with the top players instead of playing Blackwell, Vatrano, Copp, Blais, Goodrow and whatnot in the top-6? Maybe. In the end, the development of Laf and Kakko was always going to be slower because of the players in front of them in the lineup. That's just the way it goes.

I have not seen much from Kakko's offensive game so far that makes me think he'd be putting up points in a different situation. Even this season he was playing in the top 6 all year with a 50 goal scorer, 80 point C and 90+ point winger. His shot takes too long to get off and he doesn't go to the net on a consistent enough basis to score. To me, its not a matter of where he's playing in the lineup, his style of play needs to change to suit the NHL game.

 

[NickyFotiu]

All he has to do is produce and then this will be quickly put in the past. No more 17-18-23 point seasons. Put up at least a 20 goal or 50 point season next year and fans will get excited and hopeful again. We all want him to succeed from Drury to GG to the fans.

 

[McRanger92]

All he has to do is produce and then this will be quickly put in the past. No more 17-18-23 point seasons. Put up at least a 20 goal or 50 point season next year and fans will get excited and hopeful again. We all want him to succeed from Drury to GG to the fans.

Bingo. He's also not on his ELC anymore either. Training wheels are off.

 

[JimmyG89]

20+20 with his elite level puck possession and the quality in his own zone would be fantastic. Add in PK responsibilities. Needs to be on Panarin's RW all season. His size and ability to possess the puck down low are traits that just fit with Panarin. Could see him take off after that.

 

[gravey9]

The big thing with Kakko is that he is currently a finesse player inside the body of a power forward. Yes, he has tremendous hands, good vision and above average hockey IQ. But imagine the impact he'd have on the ice if he strategically used his body more and became a true netfront presence who took the goalie's eyes away. This off-season he needs to continue to work on his skating explosiveness and he has to start dedicating himself to playing inside the paint. To do that, he needs to make the inside "his space" and force everyone to take it from him. And he needs to learn that he can be more punishing with his stick to create space from defenders in front.