Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[Profet]

If something works it works. We haven't had enough bottom 6 scoring this year. Finally now Cuylle, Brodzinski and Kakko seem to be creating some chemistry together and knocking in some goals the last few games. They all bring something different to the line and if they can keep it going that's great.

My take is that it's because we finally have 2 NHL players playing on the 3rd line.

I believe Brodzinski is just a guy (just an AHL guy at that)... and can easily be upgraded.


Our lack of 3rd line scoring depth was directly related to playing a 3rd line of non NHL players + a rookie.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

If something works it works. We haven't had enough bottom 6 scoring this year. Finally now Cuylle, Brodzinski and Kakko seem to be creating some chemistry together and knocking in some goals the last few games. They all bring something different to the line and if they can keep it going that's great.

Ideally they would have Chytil in between Kakko and Cuylle and man... that would be a dangerous line.

But Brodz is doing a lot of little things out there and the fact that he can cover a lot of ice as a good skater helps the other two.

If the Rangers make a deal for center depth they need to make sure at the very least the dude coming in can skate the same way

 

[NickyFotiu]

It was a great play. He's a big dude and can be so damn smooth sometimes. Consistency is the only big knock on him. That's not a deal breaker for a kid who we all know has shown a lot of talent in his past. And he's just turning 23. The final stretch + playoffs I feel like he and Cuylle are really going to get moving together. Dru must get them a 3C who can dish and catch and score on a pass.

When he goes to the middle of the ice good things often happen. When he stays outside or behind the net he is much less productive.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Oh shit its his birthday today according to EP

 

[bhamill]

If you watch Kakko play you can see it's a mental/confidence thing. Just like it was with Laf. He'll come around. And once he has confidence he will be doing everything faster, too.
I know a lot of you guys are really high on Zegras, but I honestly think that would be a trade that we would quickly come to lament. The numbers/opportunity Zegras got in ANA would not translate here. 13PPP? 18+ mins a game? Not happening here. And his D? He'd be doing a lot of sitting.

 

[tlk]

If you watch Kakko play you can see it's a mental/confidence thing. Just like it was with Laf. He'll come around. And once he has confidence he will be doing everything faster, too.
I know a lot of you guys are really high on Zegras, but I honestly think that would be a trade that we would quickly come to lament. The numbers/opportunity Zegras got in ANA would not translate here. 13PPP? 18+ mins a game? Not happening here. And his D? He'd be doing a lot of sitting.

Z would fill a top RW role - not a C. And he could be ripping it there.

 

[bhamill]

Z would fill a top RW role - not a C. And he could be ripping it there.

Maybe. If the coaches wanted to live with his D lapses and not sit him or move him down like they have with our other young players when they f*** up...
Who is he replacing on the PP that we have declared such a sacred cow that fellow left shooting wing Lafrenierre can't be put on it?
Also, part of the reason everyone seems okay "overpaying" for him is because he is a C, but if he WON'T be a C here...

Again, I actually LIKE Zegras and would like to see him on this team, as I think this year is NOT going to be his new norm, but not at the cost a lot of people here are comfortable spending. I just think he's overrated on here and those ANA numbers don't translate.

It's also weird that so many are so forgiving of Zegras' terrible down year (7 points in 20 games and hurt again) while simultaneously calling for Kakko's head. And Kakko actually contributes even if he isn't putting up points... Kakko is at 1.13 P/60 this year and brings solid D and possession, Zegras was at 1.17 P/60 and brings zero else. Double standard of sorts there.

 

[Unpredictable1]

I still firmly believe we should keep Kakko.

 

[tlk]

I too wouldn't want Zegras for Kakko.
But a chance to somehow nab Zegras low is tempting.

 

[bhamill]

I too wouldn't want Zegras for Kakko.
But a chance to somehow nab Zegras low is tempting.

Agreed.

 

[RangersFan1994]

I still firmly believe we should keep Kakko.

I would not give him away but if he was a center piece to improve the team now and in the future than so be it. Zegras is someone you take a chance and buy low on. One guy I want is McTavish, but I bet he is their next captain

 

[bhamill]

I would not give him away but if he was a center piece to improve the team now and in the future than so be it. Zegras is someone you take a chance and buy low on. One guy I want is McTavish, but I bet he is their next captain

Yeah, I value McTavish above Zegras too. His stats are a bit padded by PPPs as well, but I think overall his numbers would translate and he's not just points. I don't think ANA would be keen on trading him.

 

[Unpredictable1]

I would not give him away but if he was a center piece to improve the team now and in the future than so be it. Zegras is someone you take a chance and buy low on. One guy I want is McTavish, but I bet he is their next captain

I will admit I'm a big fan of Mason McTavish, not so much Zegras. (not denying his skill whatsoever)

McTavish I doubt would be moved and it would take Kakko++ to get him, so for that I would still just keep Kakko. Hopefully at some point Lavi sticks him in the top six and keeps force feeding him like he's done with Laf. I don't care what Kakko seemingly didn't accomplish in the early part of the season with the bromance brothers - put him there and keep him there.

 

[Kocur Dill]

My take is that it's because we finally have 2 NHL players playing on the 3rd line.

I believe Brodzinski is just a guy (just an AHL guy at that)... and can easily be upgraded.


Our lack of 3rd line scoring depth was directly related to playing a 3rd line of non NHL players + a rookie.

I hate to beat this horse because it's a tough acquisition without giving up an asset we probably don't want to have to do.

But, Gourde would be perfect between KK and Cools. All his strong suits would enable the two kids to open their game a little more and take chances, the bonus being Gourde isn't an offensive black hole either.

 

[JCProdigy]

It's also weird that so many are so forgiving of Zegras' terrible down year (7 points in 20 games and hurt again) while simultaneously calling for Kakko's head. And Kakko actually contributes even if he isn't putting up points... Kakko is at 1.13 P/60 this year and brings solid D and possession, Zegras was at 1.17 P/60 and brings zero else. Double standard of sorts there.

Yeah, but can Kakko do the thing that was made famous by an 11th round prospect, middling college player, that didn't sniff the NHL?!?!

 

[LionsHeart]

I think trading Kakko for a bigger piece isn’t out of the question, but I feel like that’s a deal you make in the offseason. For this season I’d rather add to that third line instead of take away. He and Cuylle play really well together.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Thinking Kakko is untouchable in a Zegras trade is batshit insane. Kakko wouldn’t even be the primary asset going the other way in a Zegras trade

 

[will1066]

Thinking Kakko is untouchable in a Zegras trade is batshit insane. Kakko wouldn’t even be the primary asset going the other way in a Zegras trade

You fall in love with every flashy player.

 

[EdJovanovski]

You fall in love with every flashy player.

Because he’s done the Michigan a few times people think he’s some one trick pony and forget he had back to back 60+ pt seasons. Kakko has got over 23pts once in his career.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Thinking Kakko is untouchable in a Zegras trade is batshit insane. Kakko wouldn’t even be the primary asset going the other way in a Zegras trade

I think there’s a major difference between how each player is viewed by the majority of the fanbases.
Zegras is offense and flashy.
Kakko is defense and not.

Kakko at his cap hit, is more valuable and creates more wins than zegras at his cap hit.

 

[will1066]

Because he’s done the Michigan a few times people think he’s some one trick pony and forget he had back to back 60+ pt seasons. Kakko has got over 23pts once in his career.

Where would Zegras fit anyway, honestly?

 

[EdJovanovski]

Where would Zegras fit anyway, honestly?

Many people seem to want to use him at RW but I’d rather run 3 centers of Trocheck, Zegras & Zibanejad

 

[will1066]

Many people seem to want to use him at RW but I’d rather run 3 centers of Trocheck, Zegras & Zibanejad

This is the mindset here. Zegras won't have any important job here.

 

[Unpredictable1]

Many people seem to want to use him at RW but I’d rather run 3 centers of Trocheck, Zegras & Zibanejad

I admit he does have the look and charisma to be a modern version of Ron Duguay (with a light seasoning of Bill n Ted)

 

[bhamill]

Because he’s done the Michigan a few times people think he’s some one trick pony and forget he had back to back 60+ pt seasons. Kakko has got over 23pts once in his career.

And Zegras got over 13 points just twice in his career. Likely won’t this year. Come on. That’s an insane yardstick for players that are just hitting 23 years old.
Last year Zegras had 48 points not counting the power play, which again he’s not getting here. He’s a left handed shot, and like Lafrenierre there’s no place for him on our sacred PP1. Kakko had 39 Not counting the power play. For the 9 point difference there I’ll take the more complete player who is lower on his development curve.
And yes, Zegras IS a one trick pony. If he’s not putting up points, like he was not this year, what does he bring? Zero.
Listen, you’re allowed to love every flashy Krav or Zegras that comes down the pipeline, but calling other people batshit for disagreeing is over the top.
This is “we should trade Laf+ for Zegras while he’s still got any value left” all over again.