Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[NickyFotiu]

Kakko's a good enough player. I don't think he's the worst player on his line, they all complement each other well. Cuylle hasn't done much away from Kakko and they clearly have chemistry.

Well since there are only 3 people on the KK line I'm curious who you feel is the worst. Are you saying its Cuylle?

 

[TheDirtyH]

Well since there are only 3 people on the KK line I'm curious who you feel is the worst. Are you saying its Cuylle?

no I just mean they all bring something to it that complements one another, like most effective lines.

Cuylle and Kakko were also really effective with Brodzinski last year. Doesn't mean I think Brod and Chytil are equivalent players. My point is just that Kakko deserves equal credit for that line as the other two, he's no less a part of it's success.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

here's a question for al of ya's:

if he were to be sent to another team, could you honestly that you would really miss him say in 3-4 years from now?

 

[NickyFotiu]

no I just mean they all bring something to it that complements one another, like most effective lines.

Cuylle and Kakko were also really effective with Brodzinski last year. Doesn't mean I think Brod and Chytil are equivalent players. My point is just that Kakko deserves equal credit for that line as the other two, he's no less a part of it's success.

I can understand that view. I did not watch enough of our earlier games to make an honest fair judgement of KK in them. With that said in the recent games I did watch I felt like KK was trailing the other 2 players on his line and not as noticeable as Will or Chytil.

 

[TheDirtyH]

I can understand that view. I did not watch enough of our earlier games to make an honest fair judgement of KK in them. With that said in the recent games I did watch I felt like KK was trailing the other 2 players on his line and not as noticeable as Will or Chytil.

I agree, I think his play has dipped recently as the team has sagged. Chytil as well. Cuylle has stayed pretty steady.

But when Kakko sagged, so did the line. I don't think that's a coincidence. It's not like they've been carrying him around all season. In Buffalo, I thought they were all really meh and Kakko more than the others, but Kakko also managed to set up two really dangerous chances for Cuylle in the slot that Will just didn't bury (which isn't a knock on Will), and it's clear that despite what anyone here insists, his linemates very much defer to Kakko to be the playmaker on that line, and he's done a good enough job at it this season.

Just for reference he's scoring at about the same rate (per60) 5v5 as Lafreniere last year and his primary assists rate currently leads the team.

 

[Captain Monglobster]

I dont think trading Kakko is a solution to a problem. He is very good on the boards and creates space for his linemates. I dont think he would be due a big raise due to his stats so thats a plus. Can lock him up at a reasonable price.

Im not opposed to moving him in some type of package deal, but he is a solid NHLer and has gotten no real PP or PK time. Dont really see a need to trade him.

 

[UnSandvich]

Kakko is 4th on the team in P/60 at 5v5 this year.
Kakko is 1st on the team Primary assists/60 at 5v5 this year.
Kakko is 4th on the team in A/60 at 5v5 this year.
Kakko is 2nd on the team in Rebounds Created/60 at 5v5 this year.

At 5v5, Kakko's linemates are:
1 & 3 in ixG/60
1 & 4 in iSCF/60
1 & 3 in i HDCF/60

maybe, just maybe. some of that is b/c of Kakko

 

[Guyute]

Kakko is 4th on the team in P/60 at 5v5 this year.
Kakko is 1st on the team Primary assists/60 at 5v5 this year.
Kakko is 4th on the team in A/60 at 5v5 this year.
Kakko is 2nd on the team in Rebounds Created/60 at 5v5 this year.

At 5v5, Kakko's linemates are:
1 & 3 in ixG/60
1 & 4 in iSCF/60
1 & 3 in i HDCF/60

maybe, just maybe. some of that is b/c of Kakko

It's absolute insanity if sitting Kakko was NOT trade related in any way. Fireable offense because clearly the coach is watching a different team than the rest of us. They could have benched any of Kreider, Zibanejad, or Lafreniere instead.

 

[TheDirtyH]

I dont think trading Kakko is a solution to a problem. He is very good on the boards and creates space for his linemates. I dont think he would be due a big raise due to his stats so thats a plus. Can lock him up at a reasonable price.

Im not opposed to moving him in some type of package deal, but he is a solid NHLer and has gotten no real PP or PK time. Dont really see a need to trade him.

We need players who who the org will actually play and create a role for and whom skating is a plus asset. I don't have a problem with Kakko the player, but calling a spade a spade: it's played out here. He's been closer to healthy scratches than special teams time for six years straight, and that's whether he's playing well or playing poorly. He's painfully slow on a painfully slow team. He defers too much. What's his upside here and why is that worth blocking somebody else for? We're flush with wingers. We need defensemen and centers. Also, we're also actually at that point where change for change's sake is getting reasonable, and Kakko's value isn't likely going to get higher.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I agree, I think his play has dipped recently as the team has sagged. Chytil as well. Cuylle has stayed pretty steady.

But when Kakko sagged, so did the line. I don't think that's a coincidence. It's not like they've been carrying him around all season. In Buffalo, I thought they were all really meh and Kakko more than the others, but Kakko also managed to set up two really dangerous chances for Cuylle in the slot that Will just didn't bury (which isn't a knock on Will), and it's clear that despite what anyone here insists, his linemates very much defer to Kakko to be the playmaker on that line, and he's done a good enough job at it this season.

Just for reference he's scoring at about the same rate (per60) 5v5 as Lafreniere last year and his primary assists rate currently leads the team.

That is a curious thing about KK. Sometimes I feel he is invisible and/or trailing his teammates and then he makes 1-2 really good plays and I think well maybe......

 

[NickyFotiu]

It's absolute insanity if sitting Kakko was NOT trade related in any way. Fireable offense because clearly the coach is watching a different team than the rest of us. They could have benched any of Kreider, Zibanejad, or Lafreniere instead.

CK played with some 4th liners. Zibs played a career low in ice time. I think they understand they need to play better. Frankley the minute we bench guys 1 and/or 2 things can happen. It can increase the number of trade offers but also decrease what is being offered in those trades.

 

[jay from jersey]

I like Kakko. But he’s pretty much locked in to a 3rd line role here. Hes also getting more expensive every year.
It’s my speculation, but I’d wager quietly he/his agent asked for a trade….
Honestly, it’s not the end of the world. He’s a solid 2nd/3rd line tweener who’s solid defensively but doesn’t generate a lot of offense at all.
He has to have the right conditions/environment to put up points…. Doesn’t score/chip in any real clutch/timely goals…. A lot of his goals come when the team is up or down 4-1 or. 5-2 etc….
I think he’s a good passenger and will have a solid yet unremarkable career in the show, but he does not drive offense .
He’s also not a top tier PK guy here…..
a role I think would be good for him.
As I said last year, i doubt he’s In The long range plans here…
He’s been much better as far as overall play this season, but he doesn’t have the confidence/swagger or finish to be the guy most people want him to be..
I honestly think with ice time and 2 line mates that compliment him, he can be a reliable 2-way 55pt wing.
Hes lack of over foot speed/acceleration in the first 2-3 steps hurts him. It kills his angles of attack and doesn’t provide him with enough separation to make plays we saw In his draft year.
Hes good at stick handling and has a large frame which is why he’s comfortable along the boards. His vision is also above average. Not an elite passer, nor does he have an elite wrist shot. Most of his goals are scored in close on tap ins, or where he can use the stick handling in tight spaces to his advantage.
Without an elite swingman on his line, he comes off as an above average grinder. Cuylle has passed him by…. Bigger, tougher, better shot, and imo better brain for situations on the ice. That’s the thing I’m most impressed about with Cuylle. He always ends up in the right places on the ice at the right times to take advantage. That’s not an accident.
I also think him not producing like a top 2 pick here weighs heavy on him and his confidence.

 

[SeanAveryTheGreatOne]