Kakko vs. Kravy…Who scores more points next season

[duhmetreE]

I'd be really happy if they're both around 40pts.

Probably Kakko, just for the fact I think Gallant uses him in the top6.

 

[Ruggs225]

More realistic scenario is Kakko starts sulking about Gallants usage and kravtsov starts whispering how empowering it was to leave last year. Kakko and Krav both leave for finland.

 

[dshea19]

Kakko will have more total points and Kravtsov will have more “pretty” points.

 

[Crease]

This is the Rangers so Kakko will get 29 points and Kravtsov will get 17 and be nailed to the fourth line by November.

 

[fm]

This is the Rangers so Kakko will get 29 points and Kravtsov will get 17 and be nailed to the fourth line by November.

correct

 

[IDvsEGO]

I'd be really happy if they're both around 40pts.

Probably Kakko, just for the fact I think Gallant uses him in the top6.

Kakko was on pace for around 40 points before he got hurt.
I think a step forward would be in the 50-60 point range.

 

[mas0764]

Kakko was on pace for around 40 points before he got hurt.
I think a step forward would be in the 50-60 point range.

35 point pace, but yeah. 40 should be easy for him if he stays healthy.

 

[Cruxial]

Krav, and that's not a knock on KK. I think that KK will have a big (relatively speaking) year in the top 6, and Krav will have a big year putting up points against bottom 6 opponents. Also, Krav might work himself onto the PP.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Missed penalty at 1:25

Yup, bonehead ref literally right there too lol. Imagine if he scored that with his signature deke or got a penalty shot (which he is like the best player of all time at, I don’t believe he has ever missed in the shootout except once in that 4 Nations tournament which was a nice move he did the Forsberg and the goalie barely stopped it, I think he’s 100% in the KHL)

 

[bhamill]

Kakko will have more total points and Kravtsov will have more “pretty” points.

I hate pitting young players against each other. I hope they both have monster years. Definitely rooting for both of them and for NEITHER to fail.
That being said, I agree with dshea19. I think Kakko will have more total, but Krav will have more "oooooh" moments.
Krav is a year older, but we don't know how he will adjust or react to adversity yet, and there is ALWAYS some adversity. I expect Kakko to progress. Hopefully they both prove very valuable to the team this season.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

I would love to see Kravstov stick around be a difference maker on this roster, despite everything that has gone on. The Rangers will need him (and the other young forwards) to step up considering the cap is preventing them from bringing more veterans in (blessing in disguise)

As others have mentioned, I think Kravy has a lot to prove. I think Gallant will hard-ball him a bit, but if he can solidify a role on this team early, shows he can play both sides of the puck at the NHL level and make an impact offensively, yeah, he could push Kakko for a top-6 spot, no doubt.

Part of me feels like that will be the natural progression for Kakko too - the way things have gone for him at the start of his career. It seems like he gets things going and shows some great things and then takes a dip down for whatever reason.

The start of the year is so huge for Kakko. He needs to stay healthy, get on some kind of solid roll, put up some points on a consistent basis and carve out a top-6 role for himself for good this year. If he doesnt, gets injured or disappears for long stretches like we've seen in the past, then Kravstov will be nipping at his heels.

If I have to choose, im going with Kakko because of the NHL experience factor and all of whats gone on in the past with Kravstov. He's really a wild card on this team - but there is no doubt that if he shows up, puts in the work and allows his skills to take over with a healthy confidence - not only could he take Kakko's spot, he could take Chytils/Trochecks/Lafs spot on PP1 as well. For me - that Strome spot is wide open and it should be a tryout all season. I'd love for Laf or Kakko to take it, Trocheck may be a fit because he's right handed and I think thats what Gallant will try first - but Kravstov has the skill to be there as well.

 

[SA16]

Kakko was on pace for around 40 points before he got hurt.
I think a step forward would be in the 50-60 point range.

He had 14 points in 37 games games. That is not "on pace" for around 40 points.

 

[DanielBrassard]

I wouldn't be surprised if Kravtsov outproduced Kakko at all but hopefully they both produce at a high level.

 

[bhamill]

He had 14 points in 37 games games. That is not "on pace" for around 40 points.

Depends what he meant by "before he got hurt"... You are taking it as "before he was out." But he played probably 10 games where we were all speculating he was hurt before he actually sat, so... It depends what he meant. But that would still be closer to 35 removing those 10 games.

 

[Off Sides]

I voted Kakko, yet much of that is because I think he will get more minutes if healthy.

In these comparisons it may be more apt to break down the points a little more

If I were to use points per 5on5 minute, injury free, where they all play above the 4th line, I think it would be really close between all of Laff, Kakko, Krav, Chytil.

However if it turns out only 3 of them get top 9 teammates, and the other gets 4th line time, or if 1 of the 4 gets PP1 time, etc, my guesses change.

 

[cheech70]

High octane Vitaly was a forecheck beast..perfect for Bread plus the comrade stuff...and Trocheck can tell them his great grandfather on his mothers uncle side was from Stalingrad....so we got the makings of a new Red Army Line

 

[mas0764]

He had 14 points in 37 games games. That is not "on pace" for around 40 points.

He finished the year with 18 in 43. That's 0.42 ppg or 35 over 82 games. With mostly third line minutes.

It's not exactly on pace for 40, but it's also not really hard to envision going from a 35 even strength point pace to a 40 even strength point pace, especially if his minutes tick up 10%-15% given the departures of Strome, Copp, Vatrano, etc.

And if he gets consistent PP time, another 5-10 points wouldn't seem unreasonable either.

And that's with essentially very little difference in his play from last year. If he breaks out.... then more.

 

[bbny]

I voted Kravtsov, but this will be tough because one of them will probably be getting 16 minutes a night playing on either Zib or Panarin’s line, and the other playing 13 minutes with Chytil and…Goodrow maybe?

Kakko is more likely to get the opportunity out of the gate just because he’s been here, so I’m kind of betting on Kravtsov overtaking him. If Kravtsov is top 6 out of the gate, I don’t think it will be much of a race.

 

[NYSPORTS]

Kappo

 

[NYSPORTS]

Just leaving this here

shouldn’t be too hard to play better than the song attached sounds.

 

[bhamill]

shouldn’t be too hard to play better than the song attached sounds.

I had to stop watching.

 

[NYSPORTS]

hope he’s not a plane back to Russia by November.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I had to stop watching.

The first song is literally the Rangers skate out song lol, I was going to put classical music because of how meticulous his game is and how he just has such a sophisticated appreciation for the aesthetics of the sport.

 

[NYSPORTS]

The first song is literally the Rangers skate out song lol, I was going to put classical music because of how meticulous his game is and how he just has such a sophisticated appreciation for the aesthetics of the sport.

we’re all hoping he can contribute to North America style ice hockey. Otherwise, the post reads like a Olympic figure skating broadcast.

 

[gravey9]

The issue for both Kravy and KK is motor. Gallant, and perhaps rightfully so, really gravitates towards players with a high motor. In his system, those players are the best fit for a variety of reasons. KK's biggest problem is his motor. He lumbers and is often a half-step late to spots. His reach and strong stick and decent positioning make up for a good chunk of his issues, but he just has got to get to spots quicker. And he needs to learn how to play in front of the net and use that frame. Too finesse in front. Kravy has more natural footspeed. But he just needs to simplify his game and show his motor. Kravy's issue is that at times he thinks more like Panarin. And I think Gallant wants his wings to quick on pressure and use their speed/frames/reach to create turnovers. Both young players can improve in this area.

KK though has to keep working on his first step or two. It needs to improve for him to become a primary offensive threat in the NHL. Right now, he's definitely a second or third option. In some ways, Kravy should have an easier transition to the NHL because he has the skating to play at NHL speed and that's important for young players still figuring out the nuances. That said, for Kravy it's going to come down to his frame of mind.