Yeah, I'm sorry it wasn't Kakko that was the issue on Line 1 when he was there. Sure, it didn't work out - but it wasn't all on him. That line has only started to produce over the last 2-3 games with Wheeler on it. Before that it didn't look all that much different.
That being said - It still is incredibly disappointing given Kakko's camp that he wasn't able to take the ball and run with the opportunity that was not only given to him, but earned. We talked about how he was jerked around by previous staffs, not willing to be patient enough with him - and here he has a glorious opportunity, with ample amount of games (11 I believe) and he did little to nothing with it.
If he was just playing like he played the majority of last year (3G, 4A, 7P, -5 in his first 19 games; 6G, 2A, 8P, +5 in his last 19 games) then we likely would be talking about how he just needs better linemates. But yes, Bonino isnt Chytil. Cuylle isnt Laf either, but he gets to the net and has some offensive tools.
Bottom line is he needs to start generating his own offense, or at least do the puck possession thing and get a few chances. We've seen it before regardless of his linemates that he can go out there and be noticeable.
He needs to look in the mirror and remember he can be a 40+ point player like he was last season. At this point hes on pace for 13. Hes in a real passive funk and im sure he isnt thrilled about it either.
100%. IMO the issue with Kakko on that line is that he stopped creating chances. It's not just that the line wasn't scoring. It's that the first five games of the season he was setting up Kreider and Zibanejad left and right, lost an assist to the stupidity that is video replay, and was generally noticeable.
He wasn't demoted cuz he wasn't producing. He was demoted because after that ~5 games or so, he went back to playing like a grinder. A step behind the rush, not touching the puck in open ice or dumping and chasing when he gets it, soft on the forecheck/not hitting. Not taking the puck to the net from the wall and just cycling/chipping along the wall until he turns it over. Not shooting. Not forcing anything to the middle. Not being the least bit creative. Once he stopped creating and forcing the opponents into bad plays, that's when he was taken off the 20-93 line.
I don't care if he was putting up goose eggs in goals, assists, and points...if he was creating chances, even if they weren't going in, he'd have deserved to stay there. But he's not, and he's been invisible for about a month now. It's hard to score a goal. It's hard to score an assist. It's not hard to to do one thing a game that leads to a scoring chance that reminds the fans and the coaching staff why he's there.
Look at Lafreniere. Totally held off the scoresheet last game in a game the team scored 7 and 13 players had points. Except he easily could've had four assists, was robbed on a shot from the circle, and made some unreal passes that Panarin and Trocheck just couldn't finish. So what if he was scoreless...he plays every game like that, he'll finish with 75 points cuz puckluck.
Where is the similar argument for Kakko? I think it's stuck over by the zamboni doors where Kakko coughed up the puck last. When was the last time you looked at anything Kakko did, and said, man he created that play, I can't believe it didn't go in...he deserved a point? (My answer to that question is 5 games into the season). I mean, what is there remotely resembling that in the last 10? A phantom assist on Cuylle's disallowed goal because he missed the net and Cuylle recovered the puck weakside boards, drove the net, and did the rest? The "drought is over" relief because he stickhandled 5 feet from the net while trying to pass instead of shooting or drving the net, and the D spiked the puck into his own net? The tired refrain of "at least he's being good defensively" when almost the entire team is solid defensively right now, and he was drafted for his offense?
