Confirmed with Link: Kappo Kakko to SEA for Will Borgen and 2025 3rd + 6th

[TwentyFour]

Let's go Rangers Kraken

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

As a Rangers fan I hope KK does well. That being said, he might be the weirdest player I've ever watched. He has some puck possession skills and can play a defensively responsible game but doesn't know that there's this thing called the middle of the ice. Also not a good finisher (and that's me being nice).

But who knows, the change in scenery could certainly do him good. He just always left Rangers fans wanting more.

The Rangers biggest problem with Kakko was turning him Pro at 18...not a bright move and it leaves a lot youngsters struggling right from the hop...teams need to learn to have the best interest of the player in mind and not the teams selfish short term needs

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

So with Tanev and Gource also being UFA's at seaons end will they also be heading out?Stay tuned Krakheads

Tanev is most certainly gone after this season. With Gourde I am more 70-30. I think he is gone but there is a chance we re-sign him.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Am off topic but why is Forslund doing a Minny vs Florida game tonight Dec 18th,2024

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Am off topic but why is Forslund doing a Minny vs Florida game tonight Dec 18th,2024

Nationally televised game?

 

[Peltz]

Kakko is a defensive stalwart and puck possession monster. He's fantastic in the corners and in front of the net and still has the same silky hands in tight. His shot leaves a lot to be desired and his skating also isn't great but he does manage to make up for a lot of those qualities with effort. He's just never been given a chance with the Rangers. Same story with Laf before he broke out, he's been pigeonholed into a bottom six role with the org and routinely been scratched for no reason when the veterans are the ones who have given up on the game. Kakko rarely gets frustrated and always gives his all.

Stylistically he reminds me of Burmistrov who's puck handling was great and could skate circles around the offensive zone and was a monster in the corners but just never got anything to show for it. His peak is probably above Bjorkstrands, similar type of player.

Kakko's advanced stats and possession metrics are really really good for a bottom six forward though and I think he could play a really great role in our roster with guys like Wright and Beniers and Sale coming up. Even just as a bottom six defensive guy he's still valuable but I wouldn't be shocked to see double the production come from him if he finds chemistry with our guys and the coaches trust him.

I think he's exactly the type of glue player you want in the bottom six or top six, defensively responsible, great at zone entries and puck retrieval, big and good in front of the net- if he ever just learns how to finish he'll pot 20-40g easy every year. A lot like a Lawson Crouse type of guy.

Personally would put him on the wing of either Beniers or Wright + Tolvanen.

Been watching Kakko since he was drafted and this is all accurate. I’ll miss him a lot. He’s got upside potential but is already a great player.

You guys robbed us on this trade. I shudder to think what kind of player we missed out on if he’s ever given a proper top 6 role with someone who isn’t Mika Zibanejad.

Before our team cratered, his line was by far the most consistent and productive.

 

[Dead Coyote]

His even strength production isn't even just a thing only this season like people seem to be saying (on the mainboards). Even when you look at the last 4 seasons, the same trend continues. He regularly has the highest GF% on the team at ES and has continued to have the highest OISV% the entire time too.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

So with Borgen's game and physicality traded who steps up Ottavainen has been mentioned and I'm all for that since CFleury is more Offensive but you never know

 

[Svedu]

Let's go Kakko and the Kraken! F*ck Rangers and their toxic leadership! Hell yeah!

So with Borgen's game and physicality traded who steps up Ottavainen has been mentioned and I'm all for that since CFleury is more Offensive but you never know

Ottavainen, Kakko and Tolvanen? Now this makes your team even more interesting

 

[Svedu]

Kraken will be pretty stacked at RW around that top6-9 potential at least. Now and for the future. Pretty deep with Kakko, Tolvanen, Sale, Nyman, Bjorkstrand, Eberle,

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

An interesting pickup, hard to argue with forwards who play good D.
Despite the rough year I like Borgen, but totally get it if he was leaving after this season anyway.

With Borgen gone,does Mahura get his minutes or Ottavainen or Nelson or CFleury

Kraken will be pretty stacked at RW around that top6-9 potential at least. Now and for the future. Pretty deep with Kakko, Tolvanen, Sale, Nyman, Bjorkstrand, Eberle,

Something has to give...Bura...Gourde,Tanev

 

[Fuhrious]

Francis did well here, no complaints. Kakko is exactly the sort of player this team should be targeting and getting him for that return is an absolute steal. Only real grouse (and it'd legitimately require hunting to come up with something) would be that I'd rather have seen them move Oleksiak and then try to re-sign Borgen, but that maybe just wasn't in the cards.

 

[The Marquis]

A pleasant surprise to see this evening. I’ve liked Kakko’s game. I always like Will Borgen but he wasn’t going to become more than what he is and that’s fine. I appreciated his time in Seattle.

 

[Fuhrious]

I think an obvious second or third order effect from this could be that Borgen has been the only real physical presence the team has had on the blue line, so losing him makes a soft team even softer?

Edit : Enh, maybe not. Hockey Reference says he has 1 fewer hit than Evans and only one more than Larsson...so likely negligible net loss, softness-wise.

 

[The Marquis]

I think an obvious second or third order effect from this could be that Borgen has been the only real physical presence the team has had on the blue line, so losing him makes a soft team even softer?

Edit : Enh, maybe not. Hockey Reference says he has 1 fewer hit than Evans and only one more than Larsson...so likely negligible net loss, softness-wise.

To be fair to that number, he had those hits in substantially fewer minutes.

 

[Kat Predator]

I like this bet. Get a young guy with a very high ceiling for a journeyman defenseman.

Good luck to Borgen, one of the original squids.

 

[Sisu4ever]

Maybe it's early to ask but how soon do you think Kakko's first game here will be?

I have followed him since the draft, and I will continue following him here!
Seattle is the closest NHL franchise to where I live, so hopefully I will make it to one of the games this season.

 

[majormajor]

Love the trade.

Might we start Kakko with Wright and Bjorkstrand? Offense comes from the forecheck for both Bjorkstrand and Kakko so I think it might be a fit, and it would give him some confidence that he can be a scorer, if they score as much as they have been. Beniers' and McCann's lines play more rush oriented, and they tend to score less as well, so I don't know if putting Kakko with them is as generous to him as folks think it is.

 

[superdeluxe]

Low risk - high reward. Maybe the guy just needed a change

 

[gstommylee]

Love the trade.

Might we start Kakko with Wright and Bjorkstrand? Offense comes from the forecheck for both Bjorkstrand and Kakko so I think it might be a fit, and it would give him some confidence that he can be a scorer, if they score as much as they have been. Beniers' and McCann's lines play more rush oriented, and they tend to score less as well, so I don't know if putting Kakko with them is as generous to him as folks think it is.

don't see kakko playing on the left.

 

[CLW]

To add some thoughts to what Dead Coyote and others already said.

You got a good player in Kakko, potentially an excellent one. As others have said he was never a fit in NY. The culture shock was massive and the org never understood his game.

So what are the keys to unlocking Kakko? The naysayers will disagree, but there is still tons of untapped potential here. Most of all he needs to be in a position where he is trusted and can relax and simply play hockey. He was constantly jerked around by the Rangers, if he had a good run he wasn't rewarded etc. You can see the result in his game where he tends to grip his stick too hard and overthink his options (stress state). With less time his reflexes take over and you see the talent. This kid needs to relax and feel on top of the situation.

Otherwise by far his biggest weakness is his skating. Wright improved his skating, hopefully Kraken's coaches can do the same for Kakko. Improve his skating, let him find chemistry with his teammates and the org and you'll have a top, top player.

He's a player who needs to be on the puck a lot. An involved role on the PP should do wonders for his game.

Best of luck Kaapo & Kraken.

 

[kihei]

I absolutely love it.

 

[The Marquis]

To add some thoughts to what Dead Coyote and others already said.

You got a good player in Kakko, potentially an excellent one. As others have said he was never a fit in NY. The culture shock was massive and the org never understood his game.

So what are the keys to unlocking Kakko? The naysayers will disagree, but there is still tons of untapped potential here. Most of all he needs to be in a position where he is trusted and can relax and simply play hockey. He was constantly jerked around by the Rangers, if he had a good run he wasn't rewarded etc. You can see the result in his game where he tends to grip his stick too hard and overthink his options (stress state). With less time his reflexes take over and you see the talent. This kid needs to relax and feel on top of the situation.

Otherwise by far his biggest weakness is his skating. Wright improved his skating, hopefully Kraken's coaches can do the same for Kakko. Improve his skating, let him find chemistry with his teammates and the org and you'll have a top, top player.

He's a player who needs to be on the puck a lot. An involved role on the PP should do wonders for his game.

Best of luck Kaapo & Kraken.

On the subject of his skating, Jess Campbell is one of the best skating coaches around and has helped many Kraken prospects improve in that regard.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

Any word on if Kakko will be in the lineup tonight? Rooting for him, I hope he finds success with you guys. He's an underrated passer, put him with a good finisher and he'll do well. I'll be taking in some more Kraken games to follow his progress. Cheers and good luck Kraken!

 

[RagFinMet]

One other note I have
Kaapo needs to play with linemates that love to cycle and forecheck
He was forced to play with mika and kreider who live off the rush
When he played on the kid line or with Cuylle and chytil/JB, he was very good