Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[maris]

Good on him for scoring some goals lately, but the overall limitations he has still exist. He is what he is and that’s fine but the constant needling every time he puts up a point is ridiculous.

I think you are undervaluing KK. . Late bloomer but maturing before our eyes

 

[JoeGarelli]

he's only 23, still a couple seasons to improve before you can even consider him a finished product.

 

[noncents]

his goals are on beautiful shots. we have very few guys with that kind of shot and release.

 

[haveandare]

That was a beauty tonight. What a shot.

 

[Whoot Whoot]

Can you imagine a scenario where KK does a Laf?

 

[Nickmo82]

Can you imagine a scenario where KK does a Laf?

Grows a creepy moustache?

 

[NYRfan39]

Although mentioning his point total instead of being happy he had a big goal as a “NYRfan” isn’t great.

Username doesn’t check out.

fan doesnt have be happy about everything about a team/player. Im not judging kakko after a small sample size. I am basing my opinion on the last few years and his progression. His overall game play. Id love to be proven wrong (see how that works when you are a fan??)

Losts of dedicated fans are hard on their own players.

 

[McRanger92]

He is slow as molasses and a couple leg injuries' isnt going to help things. But he has found the scoring touch which is good. As he moves into his mid-20s hes going to need to be in the blue paint more because he is never going to be a speed guy.

 

[LionsHeart]

I think some people are memory holing how good he was last year. He got off to a really bad start this year, since coming back from the injury it’s been a continuation of that progression.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

He is slow as molasses and a couple leg injuries' isnt going to help things. But he has found the scoring touch which is good. As he moves into his mid-20s hes going to need to be in the blue paint more because he is never going to be a speed guy.

If he ever gets the speed and acceleration to average he's gonna be a lot to handle.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

He has been very effective but he’s still not playing at the level he was at last year, or even in the preseason. During the preseason they had him as the late man breaking in on the PP. It’s all confidence.

He is still taking himself out of position in the neutral zone to avoid having to carry the puck in open ice.

I also disagree that he’s slow. I think this is a convenient excuse to put the blame squarely on Kakko. He also looks weaker - it’s not because he stopped lifting weights. People did the same thing with Laf last year, when he had solid wheels all along. Derek Stepan is slow. Kakko’s explosiveness needs some work, but his speed with the puck isn’t bad at all.

Also, almost everyone is going to look slow skating next to Luke Hughes, who is absolutely elite in this department.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

I'll say it over and over again if I have to - a prototypical powerforward takes a long damn time to develop. Some dont prime until late 20's. The kid has the tools and more importantly he's got a good head on his shoulders. He's not a cocky guy who isn't going to learn or take advice. He'll come along.

 

[McRanger92]

I'll say it over and over again if I have to - a prototypical powerforward takes a long damn time to develop. Some dont prime until late 20's. The kid has the tools and more importantly he's got a good head on his shoulders. He's not a cocky guy who isn't going to learn or take advice. He'll come along.

I still think hes a little to hard on himself. Scores a huge game tying goal last night and barely cracked a smile because he wasnt happy with his breakaway speed haha.

 

[noncents]

I still think hes a little to hard on himself. Scores a huge game tying goal last night and barely cracked a smile because he wasnt happy with his breakaway speed haha.

i don't think you can say why he didn't smile lol

 

[redwhiteandblue]

I was rooting and pulling for Laf so hard before Kakko right now. I said to some friends around game 40 'man I don't think I've rooted for someone to succeed so bad like Laf'. To which one of 'em said 'yeah Buch would like to have a word...'

Point being, right now my patience and focus is with Kakko. I believe it's there. I was glad so many guys got booted last night. Just more guaranteed ice time. That was great for him.

I said it couple days ago and I'll echo it again: get on the scoresheet tomorrow. I'm looking for another goal but also a point would be very positive. Would also likely mean Cuylle gets in on the action.

Currently riding a 5 game point streak, it's his 2nd such of the year (both since Feb 9th). He has one other in his career (2 years ago). A point tomorrow will give him...

9+5 in his last 25
5+2 in his last 10
3+2 in his last 5

6 games to get him some ice time and get on some more scoresheets. It's not lost on me how good this kid is gonna be if he starts playing with the confidence knowing he can make things happen and get the puck in the net.

Also, he was riiiiiiight there on that 2nd Laf goal, puck just bounced to Laf's side.

 

[GAGLine]

I think some people are memory holing how good he was last year. He got off to a really bad start this year, since coming back from the injury it’s been a continuation of that progression.

People have very short memories. They also struggle with context.

Kakko started with Kreider and Mika. That line, no matter who has been on it with them, has been a problem all year at 5 on 5.

Mika has 1.46 points per 60 this year.

Kakko has 1.40 points per 60 this year.

After being moved off that line, Kakko had the honor of being centered by Bonino. Are we surprised he didn't score much on that line? Then he got hurt. Since he has been back, he has played mostly with Brodzinski and Wennberg as his center. Not surprisingly, his numbers have improved.

I'd love to visit an alternate universe where Kakko was put on the line with Panarin and Laf was put with Kreider and Mika to start the year. It would be very interesting to see how differently things worked out.

As some of us have pointed out many times, confidence is so important. Laf has found his. Kakko was put in a situation that did nothing to help his confidence.

 

[duhmetreE]

he is beating goalies cleanly with his snapshot.

it has improved dramatically.

now if he can improve his first few steps.... he has great edgework but a little improvement on his explosiveness will go a long way

 

[WojtekWolski86]

Weird to say the best thing that happened to Kaako was the injury because it looks like he's successfully hit the rest button.

I hope focuses on his acceleration and drills to get his shot off/through traffic. When he has time and space his shot has a lot on it. He needs to keep getting shot opportunities between the hashes.

 

[NYR Viper]

Since returning:

35 games played, 16 points.

8 points in his last 15 games.

This is after coming back form a pretty major knee/leg injury.

Playing an average of 13 minutes a game.

With multiple centers and linemates.

With elite possession and defensive numbers.

As a 23 year old.

 

[duhmetreE]

Since returning:

35 games played, 16 points.

8 points in his last 15 games.

This is after coming back form a pretty major knee/leg injury.

Playing an average of 13 minutes a game.

With multiple centers and linemates.

With elite possession and defensive numbers.

As a 23 year old.

He’s been predominantly playing with Bonino and Brodz as his center. He really missed Chytil

 

[Beer League Sniper]

He's the worst skater on the roster along with Goodrow. That's not good company to be in. He has little-to-no motor either.

His stride doesn't look terrible to my eye, but he has no explosiveness and a below-average top-end speed. Agility and "bend" look ok. He needed to be focusing on this years ago, but now it's just frustrating to watch him try to move around the ice.

I'm rooting for the kid. I really am. But he needs to work on his lower-body explosiveness in a big way. I do like that he's gotten a bit nastier with his physical play, though. Instead of just letting defenders mercilessly beat up on him and just absorbing it, it looks like he's fighting back quite a bit to my eye.

 

[GAGLine]

He's the worst skater on the roster along with Goodrow. That's not good company to be in. He has little-to-no motor either.

Laf was a terrible skater too, as recently as this preseason. Somehow, he found another gear. Amazing what confidence can do.

 

[bhamill]

He is slow as molasses and a couple leg injuries' isnt going to help things. But he has found the scoring touch which is good. As he moves into his mid-20s hes going to need to be in the blue paint more because he is never going to be a speed guy.

Oddly enough, Luke Hughes, who is a great skater, barely kept up with him on that goal... To my eye, it's not that he is slow, it's CONFIDENCE. Just as it was with Lafreniere. After pre season people were all still saying Laf was slow, as well as a ton of other negatives. Once he got his confidence he was magically quick. Is KK a speed merchant? No. But is he "slow"? Also no. He looks slow at times because he is not confident. I think he's starting to get some and that bodes well for our playoff run.

 

[NYR Viper]

He's the worst skater on the roster along with Goodrow. That's not good company to be in. He has little-to-no motor either.

His stride doesn't look terrible to my eye, but he has no explosiveness and a below-average top-end speed. Agility and "bend" look ok. He needed to be focusing on this years ago, but now it's just frustrating to watch him try to move around the ice.

I'm rooting for the kid. I really am. But he needs to work on his lower-body explosiveness in a big way. I do like that he's gotten a bit nastier with his physical play, though. Instead of just letting defenders mercilessly beat up on him and just absorbing it, it looks like he's fighting back quite a bit to my eye.

Again, major knee injury mid-season needs to be factored in here

 

[CLW]

He’s been predominantly playing with Bonino and Brodz as his center. He really missed Chytil

Someone posted a chart Zib is performing at Brodz level this season, so that's roughly 2x Brodz, Bonino and Wennberg.

Kakko never got to play this season with Tro or Chytil as his C.