Montreal signed Slafkovsky to that giant deal. 8 years, 7.6 million a year. That's a great deal if he continues to develop. Its funny just in terms of perception... both products of TPS in the Liiga. He didnt even sniff Kakko's draft pedigree at the time. Its not exactly apples to apples but still... Kakko had 40 points the season prior, only 3 on the PP. That was at age 21/22. He played 15 minutes a game. Slafkovsky had 50 points this year, but 14 on the PP. ~18 minutes a game. The majority as a 19 year old, so again not exactly apples to apples. It's kinda like what we've been saying for years now, it's really just a matter of perception.
I know Kakko struggled this year with the wonder twins, then couldn't really get anything going on those revolving door third lines of Cuylle, Wennberg, Brodzinski, Bonino, etc... not all that different from the 21-22 season for Chytil. That was when half the boards wanted to jettison the kid while playing with Gauthier, Goodrow, Hunt, Laffy, etc... similar situations, not the most talented linemates.
But back to Kakko, you take that previous season... put him on other teams where he's playing 18 minutes a game with an actual powerplay role like Slafkovsky... you're probably looking at a +50 point player for Kakko. An average top 6 player, but still plenty young. Then the perception is closer to someone like Slafkovsky where you're saying this is a talented young player still developing. The difference is essentially 10 powerplay points, one guy gets a 60 million dollar deal, the other kid gets a 1 year ~2.5 million dollar deal. Instead Kakko's the struggling #2 overall pick playing a secondary role relegated purely to 5v5 usage on a team with a dynamite powerplay and zero avaliable spots.
And I'm not saying give him a powerplay spot, just in terms of perception of the player... I think on many teams Kakko is probably an average top 6 player, he just plays a very limited role for us. At the least I would like to see him get some time on the penalty kill though
