Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[bleedblue94]

I don't think he was scapegoated. I think Lavi made the smart move getting Rempe in for KK tonight. Hopefully this lights a fire under KK and he plays so well he never sits again.

The bigger issue is that kakko doesn't have a true role here. He does pk and he isnt an offensive factor. This isn't a kakko vs rempe thing but for the sake of the lineup today it was bc there are other players throughout the lineup of forward that have a role or skill that contributes to the group. Unfortunately right now kakko has gone back to stone hands on rushes and panic plays on cycles. He blindly chucked the puck to the slot to no one several times in game 1, in a game and series that is about puck possession and making the opponent meet you to take it away.

 

[Fvital92]

The bigger issue is that kakko doesn't have a true role here. He does pk and he isnt an offensive factor. This isn't a kakko vs rempe thing but for the sake of the lineup today it was bc there are other players throughout the lineup of forward that have a role or skill that contributes to the group. Unfortunately right now kakko has gone back to stone hands on rushes and panic plays on cycles. He blindly chucked the puck to the slot to no one several times in game 1, in a game and series that is about puck possession and making the opponent meet you to take it away.

He is a forgettable player. Basically a Goodrow with good charts but whitout the playoffs performances.

 

[bl02]

Who is down to give him one more chance with the Vesey injury?
Anyone? Anyone?

 

[bleedblue94]

Who is down to give him one more chance with the Vesey injury?
Anyone? Anyone?

The bigger issue w vesey hurt is how does it affect the pk rotation. Doubt nyr trusts kakko enough right now to pk in these games even though he's done it a bit

 

[NickyFotiu]

The bigger issue is that kakko doesn't have a true role here. He does pk and he isnt an offensive factor. This isn't a kakko vs rempe thing but for the sake of the lineup today it was bc there are other players throughout the lineup of forward that have a role or skill that contributes to the group. Unfortunately right now kakko has gone back to stone hands on rushes and panic plays on cycles. He blindly chucked the puck to the slot to no one several times in game 1, in a game and series that is about puck possession and making the opponent meet you to take it away.

In the short term KK can't change much except play harder and better. He is capable of hitting a hot streak.

In the long term KK is really going to have to put in the offseason work if he wants his future career to be better than his first 5 seasons.

 

[TwentyFour]

I would not doubt that KK bolts after this year , the rangers have shown no interest in playing him long term. He's a much better player than he shows within this system

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Game 1 he set up the Schneider breakaway and gave Wennberg a few chances. Vesey was awful game 1. It should have been Vesey scratched. But I said before the game Lavy gets benefit of the doubt….then we win.

If he wants to play Kakko game 3, great. If he goes Wheeler or Brodz, I’ll still disagree but he gets benefit of the doubt. He’s got us to this point. Gotta have faith in Lavy.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I would not doubt that KK bolts after this year , the rangers have shown no interest in playing him long term. He's a much better player than he shows within this system

How do you know this?

 

[Rongomania]

Kind of a sign Vesey went down.

Perfect opportunity for the kid to redeem himself and help the team in a big way.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Maybe I'm wrong for this and he seems like a good kid but he's such a disappointment that while I obviously always root for him to do well because it helps the Rangers, it's hard for me to muster up the energy to actually root for him. Seems like a good kid but an unlikeable player who is just a massive bust.

 

[17futurecap]

Kind of a sign Vesey went down.

Perfect opportunity for the kid to redeem himself and help the team in a big way.

Should absolutely go back in, start him with Rempe and Goodrow. If you are going defense late, he slides up with Cuylle and Wennberg.

I like Jimbo, but he's been a disaster at five on five for the duration of the playoffs.

 

[Rongomania]

Should absolutely go back in, start him with Rempe and Goodrow. If you are going defense late, he slides up with Cuylle and Wennberg.

I like Jimbo, but he's been a disaster at five on five for the duration of the playoffs.

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Oh yeah. Getting Rempe back in was a good move and if you can simultaneously light a fire under Kak - that’s how Lavi has become a conference champion three times and has a cup. It’s just good coaching. Even if I disagree with the concept of benching Kak. I’ve seen lots of our guys (including last night) making shit passes, etc.

We are in this series. Bob is due for a shit game as well. I don’t think he looked that incredible last night, Florida is just a very good hockey team top to bottom.

 

[Cuckoo4Kakko]

Maybe I'm wrong for this and he seems like a good kid but he's such a disappointment that while I obviously always root for him to do well because it helps the Rangers, it's hard for me to muster up the energy to actually root for him. Seems like a good kid but an unlikeable player who is just a massive bust.

You say worse about Igor so even if you are correct, it’s hard to take you seriously.

 

[Vitto79]

Who is down to give him one more chance with the Vesey injury?
Anyone? Anyone?

I think they have too cause they won’t take Rempe out after a win and can Wheeler play LW?

 

[McRanger92]

Another opportunity coming for Kakko with Vesey looking hurt. Let’s see what he’s got.

 

[SA16]

I think they have too cause they won’t take Rempe out after a win and can Wheeler play LW?

They took Rempe out after a win just last series.

 

[Vitto79]

They took Rempe out after a win just last series.

I’d take him out. He’s only useful at MSG with the crowd

Kreider , Zib , Chytil
Panarin , Trotchek , Laf
Cuylee , Wennberg , Roslovic
Kakko , Goodrow , Wheeler

 

[TominNC]

I’d take him out. He’s only useful at MSG with the crowd

Kreider , Zib , Chytil
Panarin , Trotchek , Laf
Cuylee , Wennberg , Roslovic
Kakko , Goodrow , Wheeler

Has Kakko eve played LW?

 

[Vitto79]

Has Kakko eve played LW?

Yup a bit but mostly RW because of need

 

[Mandar]

Grachev Jr.

 

[turcotte8]

Kakko is a decent third liner who can put up 30-40 point a year. People expect him to be Ovechkin cause he was drafted high. He's Jamie Lundmark/Manny Malholtra. Lower your expectations.

 

[will1066]

I don't think he was scapegoated. I think Lavi made the smart move getting Rempe in for KK tonight. Hopefully this lights a fire under KK and he plays so well he never sits again.

Gallant: Who dis?

Lavi: it's Peter Laviolette

Gallant: Oh, hey, Petey

Lavi: I scratched Kakko

Gallant: finally did it huh?

Lavi: i explained it to him. Maybe it lights a fire under him. Right? Hello? Gerry, you still with me?

 

[NickyFotiu]

Kakko is a decent third liner who can put up 30-40 point a year. People expect him to be Ovechkin cause he was drafted high. He's Jamie Lundmark/Manny Malholtra. Lower your expectations.

I think KK is more productive than those guys but I understand your point. The time for talk is over. We really need KK to show us his best soon. When he is at his best he has been an asset. My disappointment comes because we rarely see his best. KK can be better than what he has shown this season. I really hoped he was going to make people forget his regular season with a great playoff. If I was his family or agent I would tell him 1-2 playoff goals will change people's mindset pretty fast.

 

[LOFIN]

I don't think he was scapegoated. I think Lavi made the smart move getting Rempe in for KK tonight. Hopefully this lights a fire under KK and he plays so well he never sits again.

I have a feeling Laviolette has communicated this well to Kakko (unlike Gallant), he even made sure not to put the lack of scoring on him when asked about it:

 

[WojtekWolski86]

I’d take him out. He’s only useful at MSG with the crowd

Kreider , Zib , Chytil
Panarin , Trotchek , Laf
Cuylee , Wennberg , Roslovic
Kakko , Goodrow , Wheeler

That 4th line would be way too slow to get out of their own zone let alone forecheck and possess the puck up the ice.

I'd flip Cuyle and Kaako.