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

[Fistfullofbeer]

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.

I think playing in a smaller hockey market could help him. There will be no lack of opportunity on this team. And I feel Bylsma has managed our kids fairly well. Both Evans and Wright have been treated fairly and worked hard to earn their place.

The more I read about Kakko the more excited I get. Not because I think he will all of a sudden become an impactful player but simply because he stylistically fits exactly what the Kraken roster needs at this time.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Enjoy him! You got a player you will really like. Good defensively and has offensive skill, just never given a fair shake in NY. Can easily see him being a consistent 50-60 point 2-way forward for you guys for a very long time.

f*** Drury.

 

[RainyCityHockey]

I've been critical of Francis but I've got to give it to him on this one.

Borgen was not going to be re-signed(IMO) anyways and also wasn't playing well this season.
The 3rd and 6th rounder is something you can always make up for, if needed.

I don't expect Kakko to become a superstar or anything like it but I think he's still got some potential and could become a solid 2nd liner.
He's also just 23 years old(which is closer to the young guys) and probably won't be too expensive to re-sign(as an RFA) unless he totally goes through the roof during the season.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

I'm wondering if Kakko will be in the Lineup tonight against the Black Hawks or is that too soon?

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Another trade or a drafting of more Finns and the Seattle club will be called the Suomi's...kind of catchy...Seattle Suomi's...Tolvanen,Kakko,Kokko,Ottavainen,Miettinen,Saarinen,Vedenpaa...

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

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.

I'd put Bjorkstrand up with Stephenson since they've had chemistry in the past or Beniersand McCann man and have either Tolvanen slide over to RWing or have Kaapo Kakko play there with Goalvanen and Wright

 

[majormajor]

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

I think he'd tear it up with Bjorkstrand, who is the ultimate cycle and forecheck scorer. But can Kakko play LW? IIRC Bjorkstrand has done fine at LW in the past but that was a long time ago.

I'd put Bjorkstrand up with Stephenson since they've had chemistry in the past or Beniersand McCann man and have either Tolvanen slide over to RWing or have Kaapo Kakko play there with Goalvanen and Wright

I'd be really hesitant to break up Wright and Bjorkstrand right now, for Wright's sake. He's learning that whole style of play and needs more consistency with it.

 

[Fuhrious]

I should probably wait until all of the emotional Rangers / Kakko fans exit our corner of the board, but this is one of my favorite analysis posts over on the main board thread :

Confirmed Trade: - [SEA/NYR] Kaapo Kakko for Will Borgen, 2025 3rd, 2025 6th

On McDonagh? Probably meant Pionk...or Howden...or Miller...or a few others

forums.hfboards.com

 

[majormajor]

I should probably wait until all of the emotional Rangers / Kakko fans exit our corner of the board, but this is one of my favorite analysis posts over on the main board thread :

Confirmed Trade: - [SEA/NYR] Kaapo Kakko for Will Borgen, 2025 3rd, 2025 6th

On McDonagh? Probably meant Pionk...or Howden...or Miller...or a few others

forums.hfboards.com

Are you being sarcastic?

A $2.6m QO isn't that much, that's like good 4th liner money. It would make Kakko our 11th highest paid forward.

 

[Dead Coyote]

I should probably wait until all of the emotional Rangers / Kakko fans exit our corner of the board, but this is one of my favorite analysis posts over on the main board thread :

Confirmed Trade: - [SEA/NYR] Kaapo Kakko for Will Borgen, 2025 3rd, 2025 6th

On McDonagh? Probably meant Pionk...or Howden...or Miller...or a few others

forums.hfboards.com

The funny thing about this post is how wrong it is. Kakko has been the definition of consistent. Consistently bad at finishing, great defensively, solid playmaker, bad skater, great cycler. He's basically the same player he was when he was drafted. He's improved on his net front ability, his ability to tip pucks in and his release in tight, and he's improved in his defensive awareness and his effort in the defensive zone, and that's basically it after 5 years.

Kakko has been a consistently mediocre offensive player who has sometimes succeeded because he was put in a position to succeed with players he meshed well with (Cuyle and Chytil) while being one of the best glue players in the league who drives possession extremely well at both ends of the ice.

Like offensively, he's the absolute definition of a player who scores goals exactly one way and otherwise just drives play and is very hard to score on consistently while he's on the ice.

Now if you let him make better use of his playmaking ability, have confidence in him, trust him, and don't jerk him around like a dog on a chain...well he could show a lot better results offensively. But that's not really the important part, because as others have mentioned he just fits the Kraken's roster perfectly. Even if he never finds that playmaking buff or learns how to shoot the puck from more than 5 feet in front of the net he's still going to make every line he plays on better because of his defensive awareness and puck possession, just because he's great at both puck retrieval and puck protection and the cycle.

Anyone who thinks he wouldn't get qualified or picked up is absolutely insane. Look at how Utah fans talk about McBain or Crouse (prior to this season) or how Buffalo fans look at Benson or Kulich, any number of teams. You don't trade a 23yo player who is one of the top defensive players in the league and contributes to the offense without putting up points- he SHOULD have been untouchable. Points only tell one part of the story and Kakko hasn't been getting rewarded for his play on the scoresheet, but the team he plays on sure as f*** has the entire time he's been on the ice.

 

[Fuhrious]

The funny thing about this post is how wrong it is. Kakko has been the definition of consistent. Consistently bad at finishing, great defensively, solid playmaker, bad skater, great cycler. He's basically the same player he was when he was drafted. He's improved on his net front ability, his ability to tip pucks in and his release in tight, and he's improved in his defensive awareness and his effort in the defensive zone, and that's basically it after 5 years.

Kakko has been a consistently mediocre offensive player who has sometimes succeeded because he was put in a position to succeed with players he meshed well with (Cuyle and Chytil) while being one of the best glue players in the league who drives possession extremely well at both ends of the ice.

Like offensively, he's the absolute definition of a player who scores goals exactly one way and otherwise just drives play and is very hard to score on consistently while he's on the ice.

Now if you let him make better use of his playmaking ability, have confidence in him, trust him, and don't jerk him around like a dog on a chain...well he could show a lot better results offensively. But that's not really the important part, because as others have mentioned he just fits the Kraken's roster perfectly. Even if he never finds that playmaking buff or learns how to shoot the puck from more than 5 feet in front of the net he's still going to make every line he plays on better because of his defensive awareness and puck possession, just because he's great at both puck retrieval and puck protection and the cycle.

Anyone who thinks he wouldn't get qualified or picked up is absolutely insane. Look at how Utah fans talk about McBain or Crouse (prior to this season) or how Buffalo fans look at Benson or Kulich, any number of teams. You don't trade a 23yo player who is one of the top defensive players in the league and contributes to the offense without putting up points- he SHOULD have been untouchable. Points only tell one part of the story and Kakko hasn't been getting rewarded for his play on the scoresheet, but the team he plays on sure as f*** has the entire time he's been on the ice.

Not reading a wall of text past THAT first sentence, guy.

Bottom line he’s Draft+6 coming from a team with CONSIDERABLY more talent than the Kraken. He’s been tried up and down the lineup and in a variety of utilization, and there’s without question a non-zero chance this is who he is.

Do I hope he catches a “change of scenery” bounce, a la Dylan Strome? Absolutely.

All you folks roaring in here like Francis just acquired sophomore slump Berard though? Nah. Miss me with that stuff. There’s just as much chance he’s Kravtsov / Puljujarvi.

But that’s the sort of gambles Francis and the Kraken need to be making.We’ll see when he gets there.

 

[LOFIN]

There’s just as much chance he’s Kravtsov / Puljujarvi.

Difference is, Kakko is a quality third liner as it stands. Those two players were not even NHL level.

 

[Dead Coyote]

Not reading a wall of text past THAT first sentence, guy.

Bottom line he’s Draft+6 coming from a team with CONSIDERABLY more talent than the Kraken. He’s been tried up and down the lineup and in a variety of utilization, and there’s without question a non-zero chance this is who he is.

Do I hope he catches a “change of scenery” bounce, a la Dylan Strome? Absolutely.

All you folks roaring in here like Francis just acquired sophomore slump Berard though? Nah. Miss me with that stuff. There’s just as much chance he’s Kravtsov / Puljujarvi.

But that’s the sort of gambles Francis and the Kraken need to be making.We’ll see when he gets there.

Maybe you should try reading posts more because you have posted yet more wrong things as if they're facts.

He has not been tried up and down the lineup. He has been tried on PP1 exactly once consistently, in his rookie year. He has never been given a chance on the PK. The only players with less PK time have been Lafreniere and Panarin. Chytil, Goodrow, and Vesey are the only players with less PP time.

He has played several times on the top line...which has always been successful and often been the best line on the team. Literally every time he's paired with Lafreniere and Chytil (mostly two seasons) it's been the best line on the team. This year despite being the 3rd line Cuyle - Chytil - Kakko has been the teams best line. I mean shit even when he's put with Kreider and Zibenejad prior to this season the line still has one of the best ratios on the team.

All while consistently getting hundreds of minutes less than the people above him in the roster and practically zero special teams time.

Also, Dylan Strome didn't catch a change of scenery buff. He is literally the exact same player he was when he was drafted, he has simply been utilized differently and isn't asked to keep up with players who only attack on the rush or be the main line driver on his line, turns out when you utilize a players strengths they can play the game pretty well. That was something that never happened in Arizona, but did elsewhere.

Much like Strome could never thrive in a dump and chase forecheck and playing off the rush system, Kakko needs to be put with players who can shoot the puck and take advantage of his strengths as a forechecker and playmaker.

Nobody here has ever said he's going to be the second coming of someone anywhere close to Bedard, lol.

Oh, and like Lofin pointed out, Kakko actually forechecks, puts in effort, and is good defensively, something Kravtsov and Pulju never did (although Pulju is also not a bad 3rd liner) and something half the bloody league doesn't do.

 

[Fuhrious]

Again, not reading giant walls of text from someone who opens with insults.

My friends and I have a word for 2OA picks that top out as 3rd liner bottom 6 Yanni Gourde types : "busts"

Hopefully Kakko turns out to be more than that, but neither you nor I know if that'll happen or not.

 

[The Marquis]

Again, not reading giant walls of text from someone who opens with insults.

My friends and I have a word for 2OA picks that top out as 3rd liner bottom 6 Yanni Gourde types : "busts"

Hopefully Kakko turns out to be more than that, but neither you nor I know if that'll happen or not.

It’s hard to really know on that Rangers team. He’s been playing with good players that are a bad fit for his style, but we’ll see where it goes from here. It shouldn’t make the Kraken any worse… it’s a team of top to bottom middle 6 forwards

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Again, not reading giant walls of text from someone who opens with insults.

My friends and I have a word for 2OA picks that top out as 3rd liner bottom 6 Yanni Gourde types : "busts"

Hopefully Kakko turns out to be more than that, but neither you nor I know if that'll happen or not.

I have never understood that word in a hockey context. I see Kakko as a productive NHL player who has underperformed based on his draft pedigree.

He is still 23 and while I don't expect him to turn into an offensive juggernaut, I can see him being a Beniers like player but just at wing. And I definitely would not consider Beniers a bust.

 

[majormajor]

I have never understood that word in a hockey context. I see Kakko as a productive NHL player who has underperformed based on his draft pedigree.

He is still 23 and while I don't expect him to turn into an offensive juggernaut, I can see him being a Beniers like player but just at wing. And I definitely would not consider Beniers a bust.

I think the draft pedigree in general should be something we completely ignore with Kakko. It didn't play a role in the price we paid, so why are we judging our newly acquired players and calling them busts by where they were drafted ages ago?

In general it's not a helpful way to think about players and prospects and it's certainly not a good point of reference for Kakko.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Not reading a wall of text past THAT first sentence, guy.

Bottom line he’s Draft+6 coming from a team with CONSIDERABLY more talent than the Kraken. He’s been tried up and down the lineup and in a variety of utilization, and there’s without question a non-zero chance this is who he is.

Do I hope he catches a “change of scenery” bounce, a la Dylan Strome? Absolutely.

All you folks roaring in here like Francis just acquired sophomore slump Berard though? Nah. Miss me with that stuff. There’s just as much chance he’s Kravtsov / Puljujarvi.

But that’s the sort of gambles Francis and the Kraken need to be making.We’ll see when he gets there.

The Kravtsov/Puljujarvi comparison doesn't seem accurate. Whether he becomes a scorer or not, Kakko is an established NHL forward. Puljujarvi is still trying to earn a full-time spot.

Unlike Jack Hughes, who was immediately thrust into a top line role with a Devils roster bereft of talent (some will say before he was ready), Kakko's had little opportunity to play a prominent role given the Rangers' depth and reliance on veteran players in the lower line roles.

Much like Tolvanen or the Flyers' Owen Tippett, he should flourish given more of an offensive role.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

After 1 viewing of Kakko I came away thinking I need more viewings...his skating isn't the greatest which is odd coming from a European but it can be fixed...saw he was playing LWing a bit and I think they do that to him as they did with Tolvanen and in reverse what they did to Sprong

I have never understood that word in a hockey context. I see Kakko as a productive NHL player who has underperformed based on his draft pedigree.

He is still 23 and while I don't expect him to turn into an offensive juggernaut, I can see him being a Beniers like player but just at wing. And I definitely would not consider Beniers a bust.

I'd be happy if he turned into Tolvanen...Beniers that's high praise...we all want Beniers to turn into a Ron Francis 2.0 now that would be great!!!

 

[SwedishFire]

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.

Sounds lile he has A LOT to work at. Its like he doesnt understand the NHL game. And as some other said, a big body that doesnt hit. That sounds really sad for a hockey player, esp. as a winger.

I wonder if he will work on his game. Why not wotk at shooting from everywhere?

 

[Dead Coyote]

Sounds lile he has A LOT to work at. Its like he doesnt understand the NHL game. And as some other said, a big body that doesnt hit. That sounds really sad for a hockey player, esp. as a winger.

I wonder if he will work on his game. Why not wotk at shooting from everywhere?

Often times with younger players a big part of offense and not shooting is confidence. Obviously I have no idea if that's the issue, but if I was a young 2nd overall pick I can say that being relegated to the 3rd line, scratched for no reason, and feeling like even when I play my best hockey and some of the best hockey on the team and in the league that it doesn't matter and not getting those opportunities again, well, that probably would crush my confidence pretty good.

Offensively he still hasn't looked awful. He's had a few shots and attempts and has made some nice puck protection plays and generally been in position both offensively and defensively, but it's also been 2 games and about 30m of ice time so...

 

[Fuhrious]

Brother, he stunk last night. His line was outshot 20-2. He owns part of that, you don't get to just say "that was all Beniers and McCann's fault".

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Brother, he stunk last night. His line was outshot 20-2. He owns part of that, you don't get to just say "that was all Beniers and McCann's fault".

I am giving Kakko a pass simply because he has not had a single full practice with the team. That plus, Beniers and McCann have been pretty garbage with or without Kakko.

 

[The Marquis]

I am giving Kakko a pass simply because he has not had a single full practice with the team. That plus, Beniers and McCann have been pretty garbage with or without Kakko.

This.

 

[Dead Coyote]

Brother, he stunk last night. His line was outshot 20-2. He owns part of that, you don't get to just say "that was all Beniers and McCann's fault".

I don't recall saying anything to the contrary about his play last night.

"Offensively he still hasn't looked awful. He's had a few shots and attempts and has made some nice puck protection plays and generally been in position both offensively and defensively, but it's also been 2 games and about 30m of ice time so..."

Maybe you can show me where I said that he played fine last night, that it was all Beniers and McCann's fault, or that he's blameless for his lines play last night? In the GDT I said that McCann and Beniers were more responsible for the first two goals but that I might be misremembering.

Well, I went back to check- the first two goals were completely on the defense/Grubs - Dunn in particular was mostly responsible, getting pickpockted on the 2nd and losing his man on the 1st. Beniers didn't play great on the 2nd goal but I wouldn't call it his fault. 3rd goal was off a lost puck battle by Montour but I still mostly blame Grubauer for that one still. 4th goal was entirely on Evans with a no look pass up the boards to giveaway and then the tip in past Grubaeur. Beniers I don't think could have done anything on that goal and McCann was a million miles away in the NZ after losing the initial puck battle to gain entry. 5th goal was just on Grubaeur. Should have saved that Hanifin shot. Other players could have played better, but that was on him. No screen or anything.

There you go. I was incorrect, neither of the goals I thought were on McCann and Beniers were, my bad. And I somehow managed to avoid talking about Kakko at all. Imagine that.