Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[FlyguyOX]

Kakko is a cycle player. Something the Rangers forwards look completely inept at unless on the PP. Watching that ducks game and Kreider/Mika looked like they had no idea how to get open or put themselves in a good spot for a pass while Kakko controlled the puck. Mike puck watched and floated aimlessly while Kreider just camped beside the net and puck-watched.

 

[SA16]

Ok and at what point do you say "hmmm well when he's on the ice and high in the lineup we win the goal share 60/40 and xG share 56/44 so I think that's pretty elite and I'm going to stick with it"?

A good coach would stick with that.

Well that's also the case for years for Kreider/Zibanejad (including this one) yet people want to break them up nonstop.

So I guess the answer to "what point" is "if it fits the narrative."

 

[B17 Apricots]

I don't know if I would take a gamble like that. 4 Million for a guy bounced around and then finding himself on the 4th line isn't ideal. If there was a plan to stick to it and keep him in the top 6, maybe.

That's fair. This is my thought process there.. the NHL announced the cap is going up 4 million this off-season, they think it could jump by another 4 the summer after. Third liners will start coming in around that number. That's a deal you'd make with the future in mind. He's got a 40 point season under his belt at 21/22. People were ready to hang Chytil at that age. Even if thats his ceiling when the cap jumps it likey ends up cheaper than average

 

[Machinehead]

Conveniently leaving out how Lafreniere's on-ice goals AGAINST per 60. Atleast Kakko has a positive for-against differential. Isn't that the point of hockey??

It literally says "he still sucks at defense" in the post.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Coaches really are not that complicated. If a coach thinks a forward is making goals happen for his team that forward will play more. That is my advanced statistic.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Coaches really are not that complicated. If a coach thinks a forward is making goals happen for his team that forward will play more. That is my advanced statistic.

why you always lying.

That hasn't stopped Laviolette from playing the multitude of scrubs on this team who have absolutely no chance of making goals happen.

 

[NickyFotiu]

why you always lying.

That hasn't stopped Laviolette from playing the multitude of scrubs on this team who have absolutely no chance of making goals happen.

Really?

1. Who are all the forwards playing large minutes who have not made any goals happen?

2. Who are all the forwards who are making goals happen that are not playing legitimate minutes?

 

[IDvsEGO]

Really?

1. Who are all the forwards playing large minutes who have not made any goals happen?

2. Who are all the forwards who are making goals happen that are not playing legitimate minutes?

I mean I see the utility in Bonino, but if he ever scores another goal this season it will be an accident on everyones part. The goalie might commit Seppuku.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I mean I see the utility in Bonino, but if he ever scores another goal this season it will be an accident on everyones part. The goalie might commit Seppuku.

That is why he only plays 10 minutes a game even strength. That is inline with the lowest on the team.

 

[LionsHeart]

If I were a coach I’d show him film of the penalty he drew going to the net and would be like “KEEP DOING THIS!!!”

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I'm at a loss with Kakko, i really want him to be a 30 goal scoring power forward but i don't see any path for that happening with his current skill set on this team. He has 0 nose for the net, he's primarily focused on cycling the puck in and out of the corner. id love to see him be like Rick Nash and take it to the front of the net and take a shot, its how he has to play.

 

[mas0764]

I would give Kakko $4m x 8 years tomorrow. This 4 points in 25 games run is a blessing in disguise.

I would consider it.

I do think he rebounds on this points thing.

 

[TopShelfSnipes]

I'm at a loss with Kakko, i really want him to be a 30 goal scoring power forward but i don't see any path for that happening with his current skill set on this team. He has 0 nose for the net, he's primarily focused on cycling the puck in and out of the corner. id love to see him be like Rick Nash and take it to the front of the net and take a shot, its how he has to play.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, Kakko is doing a pretty good 2018 Rick Nash these days...

 

[McRanger92]

Try him on the PK

 

[NickyFotiu]

Try him on the PK

Sometimes guys can find their games on the PK. Less pressure and more open ice. I would do as you suggested. At this point we do not have much to lose. KK really needs to step up and fast imo.

 

[Mandar]

At this point in his career, I wonder if it makes sense to try to get him into a "Jan Erixon" type. It would suck to have a 2nd overall get to be a defensive specialist, but every team could use one.

 

[McRanger92]

Sometimes guys can find their games on the PK. Less pressure and more open ice. I would do as you suggested. At this point we do not have much to lose. KK really needs to step up and fast imo.

I mean Bonino is gone so there is a hole there. Give Kakko more ice time and more space to skate and maybe he starts to look better (also being able to do something like that would raise his trade value)

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

It should be him or Cuylle going on the PK.

 

[NickyFotiu]

At this point in his career, I wonder if it makes sense to try to get him into a "Jan Erixon" type. It would suck to have a 2nd overall get to be a defensive specialist, but every team could use one.

Funny you should say that because I was going to make a Jan Erixon joke earlier in my KK post but I didn't want to offend anyone.

 

[IDvsEGO]

At this point in his career, I wonder if it makes sense to try to get him into a "Jan Erixon" type. It would suck to have a 2nd overall get to be a defensive specialist, but every team could use one.

Considering last season he put up 40 points at mostly 5v5 while being a “defensive specialist “
The offense is there.

 

[NYR Viper]

Just dropping the note, again, that last year he had 32 points at 5v5. That's an impressive state for a 22 year old, especially considering his play often leads to chances for others but no points. Stealing pucks, forcing turnovers, etc.

Considering last season he put up 40 points at mostly 5v5 while being a “defensive specialist “
The offense is there.

Great minds...

 

[IDvsEGO]

Just dropping the note, again, that last year he had 32 points at 5v5. That's an impressive state for a 22 year old, especially considering his play often leads to chances for others but no points. Stealing pucks, forcing turnovers, etc.



Great minds...

The thing is we’re now seeing what patience and time and opportunity brings with laf.
The calls for Laf to be moved in a sunk cost trade were loud this pre-season, whereas Kakko was exactly what we wanted.
Laf took a very big step so far and Kakko’s opportunity hasn’t really produced the offense we’ve wanted.
I don’t think he’s ever gonna drop 100 pts, but I think he’s gonna be a 65-70 pt top 6 with just insane defensive numbers at his peak.
But he’s got to produce more offensively to get the ice time needed for those numbers.

 

[Boris Zubov]

Funny you should say that because I was going to make a Jan Erixon joke earlier in my KK post but I didn't want to offend anyone.

The only one who should really be offended is Jan Erixon. Kakko isn't in the same stratosphere defensively that Erixon was.

 

[NYR Viper]

The thing is we’re now seeing what patience and time and opportunity brings with laf.
The calls for Laf to be moved in a sunk cost trade were loud this pre-season, whereas Kakko was exactly what we wanted.
Laf took a very big step so far and Kakko’s opportunity hasn’t really produced the offense we’ve wanted.
I don’t think he’s ever gonna drop 100 pts, but I think he’s gonna be a 65-70 pt top 6 with just insane defensive numbers at his peak.
But he’s got to produce more offensively to get the ice time needed for those numbers.

I'm hoping for 50-55 points and high end puck possession and defensive acumen. That's a guy who, likely, gets a very reasonable contract because he doesn't have gawdy point totals but helps the team win.

I think this year will prove to be an aberration likely.

 

[hardnosed]

The only one who should really be offended is Jan Erixon. Kakko isn't in the same stratosphere defensively that Erixon was.

Or hockey IQ wise. If he had any hands at all, Jan would have scored 60 goals a year. He was so smart that he always managed to get the puck 10 feet from the net in perfect position to score. Unfortunately, he couldn't hit the ocean from the pier.