Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[Crease]

One year show me. At a minimum it makes him a solid trade target between now and the deadline. He will again be an arb-eligible RFA.

 

[CTTribe73]

A few things:

1 - Kakko getting signed this quickly before the draft makes me think there's still a very legit chance he's dealt. That is a very attractive price tag for us or another team. Insurance that even if nothing more than a 3rd liner, he's still only 2/3rds of a Goodrow AAV.

2 - At this point in Kakko's lack of development offensively can be chalked up to three things.

a - His foot speed and inability to gain separation is such a limit on his ceiling that currently, he's just a very skilled defensive forward.

b - When the team committed to Zibanejad and put Laf with Tro/Bread, it meant the end of Kakko. The top two lines officially became incompatible for Kakko to fit. Both scoring lines rely on the rush.

c - In the bottom six, and with Chytil's concussion and absence all season, Kakko has mostly played with minimally skilled linemates. Had Chytil remained healthy all year, a line with Kakko/Cuylle/Chytil could have been really interesting as it could have could have been a better fit for Kakko. I'm concerned that Chytil's playing style going forward may be less engaged in the corners and remaining stationary. If Chytil's game ends up becoming more like Zib at 5v5, Kakko's place on the team is even harder to understand.

In an ideal world, the Rangers would focus on transforming one of their top lines into one that can be relied up on 5v5 and in tight, playoff-style games. And to me, if that's the case, there's a place for Kakko. To me, Kakko could very well flourish on a line that has a stout strong in the corners center like Sam Bennett or a Younger Jeff Carter or Kopitar. These guys who play possession style like Kakko and bully their way to the net and have legit skill. This is why I'm ultimately afraid to move the kid because if he finds a team/line like that I could see him taking off and being an absolute pain to deal with for opponents. Sadly, despite being a #2 overall pick, we've never tried to build anything at all around Kakko (and really same thing with Laf).

Sounds like the ideal CAR or FLA player, LOL.

 

[mike14]

One year show me. At a minimum it makes him a solid trade target between now and the deadline. Is he still restricted after this year or does he become unrestricted?

It's 7 seasons accrued for UFA isn't it (can never remember if it's season & age or seasons OR age...)? This will be his 6th.

 

[Crease]

It's 7 seasons accrued for UFA isn't it (can never remember if it's season & age or seasons OR age...)? This will be his 6th.

Yep. I edited.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Some of these takes...
I hope Kakko and Lindy are here forever just to hear you haters keep hating...
Hate the players making all the money but don't do crap in a long PO run...

Those guys have gotten plenty of hate lol.

 

[DialUp]

NICE CITY!

 

[DuneGoon84]

Wow, LOVE IT! Make it or break it kid. Love that Drury got this done quickly and is showing his commitment to keep him. Kakko better be having one hell of an offseason.

If this guy doesn't improve his skating in off season then he doesn't belong. Tired of seeing him be slow AF.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Waste of cap space, waste of a roster spot. I don’t wanna hear about next steps and give him more time. I hear McIlrath is gonna break out any year now too.

Same stuff was said about Laf exactly 1 year ago. Give him 1 more year. They can also still trade him if they want.

 

[RangersFan1994]

Rangers need to stop drafting big guys that are scared of contract and tend to play like a midget

 

[mike14]

Not a proposal so much as trying to get a gauge on how this board views KK's value; if the Oilers takeaway from this SCF is that need a competent bottom 6 and offered their 2nd this year (63?) and 1st next (assume 25-30), would you take it?

 

[SeanAveryTheGreatOne]

How do you guys think Kakko is training right now?

 

[bobbop]

Kakko signing reminds me of Kyle Turris signing late in Arizona many years ago. I talked to Don Maloney after Turris held out of camp and Maloney told me “it’s easier to trade a signed player”l Not long after, Turris was in Ottawa.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I don't think theres a realistic chance of a similar glow up but...

I don't think I need to re-hash some of the shit that was being said about Lafreniere a year ago.

 

[ReleasO The KakkO]

There goes?

Hes still tradable and thats a very tradeable contract.

I s’pose. But for grins, name me 3 teams that would pay that price…

 

[ReleasO The KakkO]

How do you guys think Kakko is training right now?

 

[UnSandvich]

I don't think theres a realistic chance of a similar glow up but...

I don't think I need to re-hash some of the shit that was being said about Lafreniere a year ago.

I don't think 60ish points is realistic, but i could see him getting back to the 40ish range. Between his injury and the (frankly abysmal) center play he got stuck with, he was really behind the 8 ball. Zibanejad was dogwater for half the season, Bonino was a mid-level ECHL'er, and Wennberg couldn't find the other team's net if you glued him to it. Cuylle-Brod-Kakko was a third line that actually performed pretty well together, and Chytil is essentially a (significantly) better Brod

EDIT: I also think the Cuylle-Trocheck-Kakko line could've been pretty solid, but the Chytil injury torpedo'd that before it had a chance to happen

 

[gump116]

I don't think theres a realistic chance of a similar glow up but...

I don't think I need to re-hash some of the shit that was being said about Lafreniere a year ago.

Considering he scored 40 points two years ago at 22, it’s not crazy to think he’d score 50 points as a 24 year old. That plus his defense is a solid middle 6 winger with decent value.

 

[RangersFan1994]

How do you guys think Kakko is training right now?

 

[JimmyG89]

Look, you never know. I'm not saying Kakko was one of those guys that thought his shit didn't stink, but he was accountable at what happened this season.

We've heard him want an expanded role, but he might have finally realized what he has been doing doesn't make him worth that spot in the lineup.

Lafreniere was the same last year. I think he realized that he stagnated and needed something different. If Kakko attacks this summer, we could see a jump still.

I just hope it's all skating and shooting this summer. Work on your feet and work on your wrist shot. He's got the size and has underrated hands. He needs the rest of his game to catch up. Skating is #1 and shooting is 2nd.

 

[eco's bones]

It's the off season. I don't expect any of the Rangers to mope and sulk the whole time. They'll work out and get ready but they'll also go places and do things and find time to relax when they can. It's not going to be unlike any other off season.

At this point it's obvious our group wasn't as built for the playoffs as the Panthers group and we can take from their run to the Stanley Cup that they have enough offensive forces including guys who can finish---a game that pressures the puck continually and a sneaky, nasty physical game that's also going all of the time. Defensively they all defend and move the puck well---their forwards always helping out and available for quick outlets. When we played them they bettered us at all the above stuff. As an analogy the Rangers looked pretty much like someone who's pissed off a hornet's nest.

As for Kakko the one player he's always played best with is Chytil. Filip didn't play much this year.

 

[MBHockey]

surprised we are still waiting for him to prove himself. at least it's a one year deal

 

[Gardner McKay]

It's the off season. I don't expect any of the Rangers to mope and sulk the whole time. They'll work out and get ready but they'll also go places and do things and find time to relax when they can. It's not going to be unlike any other off season.

At this point it's obvious our group wasn't as built for the playoffs as the Panthers group and we can take from their run to the Stanley Cup that they have enough offensive forces including guys who can finish---a game that pressures the puck continually and a sneaky, nasty physical game that's also going all of the time. Defensively they all defend and move the puck well---their forwards always helping out and available for quick outlets. When we played them they bettered us at all the above stuff. As an analogy the Rangers looked pretty much like someone who's pissed off a hornet's nest.

As for Kakko the one player he's always played best with is Chytil. Filip didn't play much this year.

This is the exact same thing that was said in 2013-2014 against LA. The Panthers style reminded me of them too. Heavy. Grinding. Physical.

 

[mas0764]

I feel like how quickly this happened shows that Kakko and the Rangers are on the same page going forward at least. Either he is definitely moving and they got this out of the way as a formality for the acquiring team, or, both sides are committed to each other for Kakko's redemption Tour 3.0. However,If he is in the top 6/or on Mika and Kreider's wing, we arent winning anything.

Unless he breaks out like Lafreniere

 

[rangers1314]

EF says on 32T today that it’s still very possible KK gets moved. This just clears up all the business so other teams know if he can fit in their cap.

It’s not a given he’s moved at all, but it simply removes unknowns.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

EF says on 32T today that it’s still very possible KK gets moved. This just clears up all the business so other teams know if he can fit in their cap.

It’s not a given he’s moved at all, but it simply removes unknowns.

Other teams knew how much he would cost, he didn't need to be signed for that. EF was running out of ideas to fill up his 32.