Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko

[will1066]

Besides all the other issues, he just isn't reading plays quickly enough, not seeing the plays in his mind's eye and anticipating. He's always half a step behind, even with preseason speed.

 

[TomBlizzy12]

Is he dating an Albanian girl from the Bronx? Could explain why he's so timid on and off the ice

 

[n8]

Besides all the other issues, he just isn't reading plays quickly enough, not seeing the plays in his mind's eye and anticipating. He's always half a step behind, even with preseason speed.

The good news IIRC, Laf was a bit slow last preseason too. And a bit slow the first half of October. Trying to be optimistic. Still some time to improve.

 

[Leonardo87]

Was at a brewery tonight, and talking about Kakko with one of the bartenders. Basically, Kakko is not a bust, he is what he is, a 3rd liner two way player.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

Really looking like Kakko is going to be the odd man out unless he has a monster first 10 games. Othmann looks good and deserves a shot. The Reilly Smith trade makes less and less sense. You knew Othmann was going to be knocking on the door, why give the spot away to a declining vet when it's something you could've addressed at the deadline if Othmann/Kakko didn't work out in that spot. It's not like that spot being given to those 2 was ever going to be the reason we do or don't make the playoffs.

I like Reilly Smith 3 years ago. I'm sure he'll fit in, but I would've rather spent that cap space elsewhere when we have 2 young 1st round picks that need to play up there to either show they can/can't do it in Kakko's case or to develop in Othmann's case.

Don't get it.

Only thing I can foresee would be to have a 3rd line of Othmann-Chytil-Kakko and drop Cuylle to the 4th line. Othmann has to make the team, straight up. If I were him I'd be demanding a trade the minute the news broke that he's going back down.

 

[LOFIN]

Was at a brewery tonight, and talking about Kakko with one of the bartenders. Basically, Kakko is not a bust, he is what he is, a 3rd liner two way player.

And that's ok for this year at his caphit. If he scores like 30 points playing a 3rd line role for 2.4M, that's still pretty good value. Not even talking about what he does possession wise for the line he plays with.

I think him and Chytil will cook up some magic though

Really looking like Kakko is going to be the odd man out unless he has a monster first 10 games. Othmann looks good and deserves a shot.

That's just... not going to happen. Nor should it.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

And that's ok for this year at his caphit. If he scores like 30 points playing a 3rd line role for 2.4M, that's still pretty good value. Not even talking about what he does possession wise for the line he plays with.


That's just... not going to happen. Nor should it.

I'll clarify.. I'm not inferring he won't be on the opening night roster. I'm saying I think Othmann blows by him this year on the depth chart as the season wears on forcing the Rangers to trade Kakko.

Othmann has to make the team, he's played too well in the preseason to not be on the roster and you have to imagine he and his agent aren't willing to go back to the AHL when he's clearly NHL ready.

Neither of these guys belong on the 4th line and we just happen to be stacked at wing. So with both Othmann and Kakko on the roster you're forcing Cuylle down to the 4th line which is probably not what the Rangers want to do.

Inevitably a winger will get hurt and this problem will be solved. It's just not ideal when your depth wingers are both 1st round picks that don't want to sit out and need minutes to get better.

 

[n8]

Was at a brewery tonight, and talking about Kakko with one of the bartenders. Basically, Kakko is not a bust, he is what he is, a 3rd liner two way player.

Damn! Did the bartender give you lotto numbers too?