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

[Kevinsane]

Kakko absolutely dominated the warmup. Let’s focus on the positives.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

To be fully frank, the only way you’re going to “change” Kakko is to force him to take summer training seriously. He’s never done power skating work, example. Even though it’s been his biggest problem. He trains with his friends. He allegedly worked in his conditioning the last few offseasons with nothing to show from it.

It’s unclear whether he’s just maxed out and incapable of improving or just being lazy. I don’t think anyone really knows. Probably the most frustrating player I’ve ever watched. You’d hear every preseason how hard he worked and then he’d look like the identical player he was the season before.

Seattle should demand he do power skating work. They technically can’t force him to, but they should try.

 

[The Marquis]

To be fully frank, the only way you’re going to “change” Kakko is to force him to take summer training seriously. He’s never done power skating work, example. Even though it’s been his biggest problem. He trains with his friends. He allegedly worked in his conditioning the last few offseasons with nothing to show from it.

It’s unclear whether he’s just maxed out and incapable of improving or just being lazy. I don’t think anyone really knows. Probably the most frustrating player I’ve ever watched. You’d hear every preseason how hard he worked and then he’d look like the identical player he was the season before.

Seattle should demand he do power skating work. They technically can’t force him to, but they should try.

Good thing we have one of the best power skating coaches around. I'm hoping she gets him turned around.

So far though, he's been playing well under the Kraken system.

 

[majormajor]

To be fully frank, the only way you’re going to “change” Kakko is to force him to take summer training seriously. He’s never done power skating work, example. Even though it’s been his biggest problem. He trains with his friends. He allegedly worked in his conditioning the last few offseasons with nothing to show from it.

It’s unclear whether he’s just maxed out and incapable of improving or just being lazy. I don’t think anyone really knows. Probably the most frustrating player I’ve ever watched. You’d hear every preseason how hard he worked and then he’d look like the identical player he was the season before.

Seattle should demand he do power skating work. They technically can’t force him to, but they should try.

What is your source that he has never done power skating work?

It's such a commonplace type of training. I've met all sorts of people who have done it, so it's hard to believe that Kakko wouldn't do it.

 

[CLW]

To be fully frank, the only way you’re going to “change” Kakko is to force him to take summer training seriously. He’s never done power skating work, example. Even though it’s been his biggest problem. He trains with his friends. He allegedly worked in his conditioning the last few offseasons with nothing to show from it.

It’s unclear whether he’s just maxed out and incapable of improving or just being lazy. I don’t think anyone really knows. Probably the most frustrating player I’ve ever watched. You’d hear every preseason how hard he worked and then he’d look like the identical player he was the season before.

Seattle should demand he do power skating work. They technically can’t force him to, but they should try.

Kakko's training group includes Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen, for those who don't know. Most years Kakko came to camp ready to go only to have his soul sucked out by Xmas. Avoid doing Pejorative Slured New York Ranger things and Kakko should be a fine player for Kraken.

 

[lakeshirts37]

Glad he’s working out but he’s a 30-40 pt third line passenger who can play up in the lineup if necessary. He’ll never be more.

 

[The Marquis]

Glad he’s working out but he’s a 30-40 pt third line passenger who can play up in the lineup if necessary. He’ll never be more.

Well, that’s about what the Kraken paid for.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Glad he’s working out but he’s a 30-40 pt third line passenger who can play up in the lineup if necessary. He’ll never be more.

Makes sense based on what I have read in the forums about how he was deployed in NY. Now that he is getting top-6 minutes, he has the chance to show if he is that player or not. But like @The Marquis said, even he ends up being a 30-40 point 3rd line player who is solid defensively for now and the future, it was more than an acceptable price by us.

 

[lakeshirts37]

Well, that’s about what the Kraken paid for.

thats great news then

Makes sense based on what I have read in the forums about how he was deployed in NY. Now that he is getting top-6 minutes, he has the chance to show if he is that player or not. But like @The Marquis said, even he ends up being a 30-40 point 3rd line player who is solid defensively for now and the future, it was more than an acceptable price by us.

Yeah totally - its a valuable piece on a team but easily replaceable. very curious what he’ll resign for

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

thats great news then


Yeah totally - its a valuable piece on a team but easily replaceable. very curious what he’ll resign for

He is an RFA but is arbitration eligible and a qualifying offer off 2.4 M. I would not be shocked if Francis takes a risk and commits long term for something like 4.5-5M over 4 or 5 years.

I am thinking that he does something like 4M x 2 like Tolvanen did though.

 

[Dead Coyote]

Glad he’s working out but he’s a 30-40 pt third line passenger who can play up in the lineup if necessary. He’ll never be more.

Tell us how you really feel

He's absolutely not a passenger. Limited offensive potential 3rd liner? Absolutely. But passenger, hell no. He tries real hard and is actively involved at both ends of the ice.

 

[FanCos]

To be fully frank, the only way you’re going to “change” Kakko is to force him to take summer training seriously. He’s never done power skating work, example. Even though it’s been his biggest problem. He trains with his friends. He allegedly worked in his conditioning the last few offseasons with nothing to show from it.

It’s unclear whether he’s just maxed out and incapable of improving or just being lazy. I don’t think anyone really knows. Probably the most frustrating player I’ve ever watched. You’d hear every preseason how hard he worked and then he’d look like the identical player he was the season before.

If anything, it's not him being lazy. Maybe he doesn't response well to the type of training his mates Lehkonen and Rantanen seem to benefit quite a bit from? Maybe he'd need a more individually tailored program, I don't have any idea, but a lot of his problems can also be attributed to the mental side and confidence, I'd venture.

In any case, Kaapo's always been the one player I really ever cheered for. I was expecting a poor man's Rantanen as a floor, and now I'm witnessing his development into a moderately well-off man's Armia and it's almost jarring.

 

[lakeshirts37]

Tell us how you really feel

He's absolutely not a passenger. Limited offensive potential 3rd liner? Absolutely. But passenger, hell no. He tries real hard and is actively involved at both ends of the ice.

trying hard doesnt mean he’s a play driver - which is what I was getting at. he absolutely is not the play driver on a line

 

[Fuhrious]

 

[Dead Coyote]

trying hard doesnt mean he’s a play driver - which is what I was getting at. he absolutely is not the play driver on a line

That is definitely true, but it also doesn't make him a passenger.

 

[lakeshirts37]

That is definitely true, but it also doesn't make him a passenger.

So if he’s not the driver…he’s a…..

 

[FanCos]

So if he’s not the driver…he’s a…..

a copilot?

 

[Dead Coyote]

View attachment 954945

I am neither a Rangers fan nor a Finn, but I know that won't matter to you Mr. Furhious

Weren't you an Oilers fan at one point?

I'd talk about something else, but we are in the Kappo Kakko trade thread...I hear Borgen is doing well?

 

[Fuhrious]

I am neither a Rangers fan nor a Finn, but I know that won't matter to you Mr. Furhious

Weren't you an Oilers fan at one point?

I'd talk about something else, but we are in the Kappo Kakko trade thread...I hear Borgen is doing well?

No. I’m just an old goalie.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

What is your source that he has never done power skating work?

It's such a commonplace type of training. I've met all sorts of people who have done it, so it's hard to believe that Kakko wouldn't do it.

The source is that we would’ve heard about it. His training was pretty well publicized and it’s just not something he worked on.

You meeting random people is not the same as a professional athlete’s training regimen.

If he actually did it (he didn’t), it didn’t work. There was literally no improvement in his skating since he’s been drafted.

If anything, it's not him being lazy. Maybe he doesn't response well to the type of training his mates Lehkonen and Rantanen seem to benefit quite a bit from? Maybe he'd need a more individually tailored program, I don't have any idea, but a lot of his problems can also be attributed to the mental side and confidence, I'd venture.

In any case, Kaapo's always been the one player I really ever cheered for. I was expecting a poor man's Rantanen as a floor, and now I'm witnessing his development into a moderately well-off man's Armia and it's almost jarring.

I mean, I agree and disagree. Confidence wouldn’t matter with improvement in skating. That’s just something that requires sheer hard work. Now, I would bet a ton that he’s never just focused on skating. He’s worked on conditioning but with no primary focus on skating.

I don’t personally think he’s lazy. I think he’s just one of those guys that can’t improve. Some guys ARE maxed out early on. It sucks to see but it’s not uncommon.

The skating thing did irk me, though. The Rangers can’t force him to do anything and I have no idea if they ever pushed the issue. So it could be a Rangers issue as well (wouldn’t surprise me). Even if he only improved his skating he could be an excellent 3rd liner. Without improving any other area of his game.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Kakko's training group includes Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen, for those who don't know. Most years Kakko came to camp ready to go only to have his soul sucked out by Xmas. Avoid doing Pejorative Slured New York Ranger things and Kakko should be a fine player for Kraken.

Kakko played good against bad competition in preseason and had decent camps. That’s about it. I’m not sure how you think this goes against anything I’ve said. The problem is that he’s always played worse than his linemates. He was getting handily outplayed by Chytil and Cuylle this year.

He’s pretty much always been the worst guy on his line. It’s why most Rangers fans considered him a passenger. Even when he got top 6 time he was the worst guy on his line. Just a very frustrating player to watch. Zero development. None. He appears to have been maxed out from the beginning.

The skating thing is the most bothersome. But as said, I’m not sure if that’s on the Rangers for not trying to force the issue. We know he didn’t work on it (or if he did it wasn’t a focus) but we don’t know whether the team ever tried to force him to.

Seattle should go that route. Only real way he can be salvaged. Otherwise, he’ll probably bounce around the NHL in 1-3 year cheap deals.

Good thing we have one of the best power skating coaches around. I'm hoping she gets him turned around.

So far though, he's been playing well under the Kraken system.

It’s really his main weakness (other than his lack of real offensive ability). Get it through his head that his skating is what’s holding him back and maybe he can be a really great two-way 3rd liner. I don’t think there’s much you can do regarding his offense as of this point but the skating is something that should be able to be improved.

If he can get his pace back up about to that 40 point level that’s what I would think would be a nice success.

 

[majormajor]

The source is that we would’ve heard about it. His training was pretty well publicized and it’s just not something he worked on.

You meeting random people is not the same as a professional athlete’s training regimen.

If he actually did it (he didn’t), it didn’t work. There was literally no improvement in his skating since he’s been drafted.

From this I think the most likely case is that he has done extensive power skating training. It's widely done for most junior level and minor pro players, it would be very unusual for a pro in his position not to have worked on it. It's such a commonplace type of training that it isn't reported on when players do it.