Kakko's days are numbered in NY, He speaks the truth and throws teammates under the bus

[Jacob]

I don’t have an issue with what he said and I think Laviolette’s response was well-measured as well.

 

[5cotland]

Krebs for Kakko, get it done.

Kakko ain't that bad.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

I don't like Kakko's comment because he's basically trying to say he's been better than other players, throwing his teammates under the bus. I don't think that's something you say publicly.

I think Zibanejad & Kreider are more deserving of the scratch than Kakko though. But I don't buy the narrative that Kakko hasn't gotten an opportunity, to start his rookie season he was forcefed top six minutes & PP1 time, he played himself off of it

I get it, but it's kind of an old school mentality. I think it took courage for him to speak his mind. If the culture is rotten it takes some stones as a young player to shine a light on it.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Free Kakko

 

[Aurinko]

Has he actually played good though?

Depends what you consider good:

I consider playing >70% hockey really good.

 

[eojsmada]

Good for Kakko...calling out the coaches and management. Everyone on the team seemingly knows who isn't playing up to standard, so for Kakko to even mention anything, for me, has nothing to do with the players and everything to do with the coaches and organization. And Rupp's comments just confirm and amplify my thoughts.

 

[LOFIN]

I don't like Kakko's comment because he's basically trying to say he's been better than other players, throwing his teammates under the bus. I don't think that's something you say publicly.

Yeah, if the situation around the team is normal then agreed. The situation around the Rangers is anything but normal. It's also the fact that this was the third time he has been scratched in a situation where there were other players who needed to sit before him.

 

[Grifter3511]

I mean what’s wrong with the Rangers? A dream place where UFA love to settle, a good prospect pool (Laf and Kakko are both solid) and …. pfff, nothing.

Got to ECF once(or a few times?) in last 15 years or so, nothing more.

Time for changes to be made?

Actually 4 ECFs and 1 SCF in 15 years. Not great. But I'm betting that's further and more wins than a good majority of the nhl.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Would look really nice in a Lightning sweater

Some team's gonna be happy. He might not be a star like he was drafted to be but I could see a really solid two way 50-60 point guy with the right environment and support.

 

[Rorschach]

The same Lavi that ran Carter and Richards out of Philly.

History repeating

So you're saying LA should jump into the mix and milk em?

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Has zibby been healthy scratched once this year?

lol.

No. Nor has he been demoted from PP (which is rotten) , or PK (where is still decent), and he still plays the entire final 5 minutes of a game if the Rangers are down 1

 

[MakoSlade]

Rupp is not pulling any punches.

"A bunch of independent contractors"...Ouch.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I get it, but it's kind of an old school mentality. I think it took courage for him to speak his mind. If the culture is rotten it takes some stones as a young player to shine a light on it.

While it’s true that it does take courage, that’s not his role in the organization. Get 20 guys who all want to shine a public light on things they don’t like about the culture and you’ll have 20 guys who need to take a hike at the end of the season.

There are a lot of ways to handle a disagreement with your coach… going to the media ain’t one of them.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

While it’s true that it does take courage, that’s not his role in the organization. Get 20 guys who all want to shine a public light on things they don’t like about the culture and you’ll have 20 guys who need to take a hike at the end of the season.

There are a lot of ways to handle a disagreement with your coach… going to the media ain’t one of them.

If he's getting unfairly scratched multiple times without even being told why, what is he supposed to do?

 

[LevelingSolo]

Laviolette is a great coach, this team just won the presidents trophy, firing him sounds asinine

 

[LOFIN]

"A bunch of independent contractors"...Ouch.

I mean that's highlighted by that Kakko comments. In a normal environment, he would never say stuff like that. As it stands, it's obvious he doesn't really give a shit if he burns bridges with teammates or Laviolette, because he expects to be traded any day now.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Laviolette is a great coach, this team just won the presidents trophy, firing him sounds asinine

Which is why it's been interesting following their total collapse this year. Same team just won the president's trophy. Something really off in the room.

 

[DFC]

This is one of the quickest, ugliest falls from grace I've ever seen a team have. They seemed to be trending for great things just a year ago. Now... wow

 

[tarheelhockey]

If he's getting unfairly scratched multiple times without even being told why, what is he supposed to do?

Handle it through his captain. Handle it through an assistant coach. Confront his coach face-to-face. Talk to the GM. Have his agent talk to the GM. Demand a trade. Suffer.

The one thing you don’t do is take it to the media. It’s a young man’s mistake to think an audience is going to fix things.

 

[Breakers]

lol.

No. Nor has he been demoted from PP (which is rotten) , or PK (where is still decent), and he still plays the entire final 5 minutes of a game if the Rangers are down 1

His even strength defensive numbers are horrific

its like he steps on the ice, and spends all of it defending

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

Handle it through his captain. Handle it through an assistant coach. Confront his coach face-to-face. Talk to the GM. Have his agent talk to the GM. Demand a trade. Suffer.

The one thing you don’t do is take it to the media. It’s a young man’s mistake to think an audience is going to fix things.

If you have respect for your teammates, coaches, GM then i agree you don't do that. He obviously doesn't, which may be justified considering all we've been hearing this year. For all we know he may have already done all those things you suggested, and this was a final F it I'm out moment.

 

[PaulD]

Meltdown incoming for NYR. To be honest, it probably should happen. That team is absolutely ROTTEN right now.

Oilers had worse slump last season ...went to finals with a change of coaching.
Ride the slump out .
This ain't the Habs , Sharks or Hawks ..... who just stink and have for years

 

[Raistlin]

His even strength defensive numbers are horrific

its like he steps on the ice, and spends all of it defending

he sounds exactly like a guy that was recently traded for a 4th round pick. then turned it around when not paired with scrubs.

 

[serp]

Laviolette is a great coach, this team just won the presidents trophy, firing him sounds asinine

The guy has a short shelf life though. Allways had . 3-4 years max usually and then the players get tired of this shtick

Kaako sounds like something Stars should be interested in if they can . Maybe find a way to have him included in a bigger deal that makes use of the Seguin LTIR ?

 

[GMR]

Kakko for Copp straight up. Maybe throw in a slice of Little Caesars to sweeten the deal.