Speculation: Roster Building Thread - Off-season Part I

[NYR Viper]

Any RFA’s from other teams that may not be qualified due to cap concerns?

 

[Lays]

Any RFA’s from other teams that may not be qualified due to cap concerns?

Miles Wood will be interesting. If he was healthy this season he could’ve returned a 1st++ at the TDL. One of the fastest players in the league and plays with an edge. He’s from Buffalo and played for NJD so kind of local guy as well

17 goals in 55 games last season. Only played 3 this season

 

[Lays]

If people hate Kakko, they will loathe Dach.

Eh if we had Dach and they had Kakko we’d be saying the same thing

 

[Anthony5967]

It’s obviously going to decide his future in the end but confidence is literally the only thing holding Kakko back from breaking out, that and consistent opportunity. His metrics defensively are strong, isn’t he also one of the team’s better GF/60 players? No powerplay. We see the tools. He needs to bulk up more, and with that he will get faster. He’s 21 with celiac disease. I don’t want to sound like an excuse maker but maybe putting on muscle and strengthening isn’t as easy when you can’t eat 90% of anything, no? He also needs to get nastier and not give a **** about hogging the puck and shooting more. He doesn’t shoot nearly as much as he should. Again, confidence plays a major role in this. We saw his game at every level before this and there wasn’t a doubt from anybody that he was going to one day be a star. Let’s pray this off-season is Special for him.

 

[Savant]

Eh if we had Dach and they had Kakko we’d be saying the same thing

Kakko at least has a floor of a very good checking line winger. Dach, if he isn’t putting up points in the top six, is useless.

Kakko may not live up to his hype but he will be a useful NHL player. Can’t say the same with Dach.

 

[RangerBoy]

Any RFA’s from other teams that may not be qualified due to cap concerns?

Kubalik
Kapanen-his contract had a weird structure. the QO is $787,500. front-loaded. $3.2M cap number.
Strome
Bear
Lemieux
Deangelo

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Fist-bumps all-around

 

[Lays]

Kakko at least has a floor of a very good checking line winger. Dach, if he isn’t putting up points in the top six, is useless.

Kakko may not live up to his hype but he will be a useful NHL player. Can’t say the same with Dach.

I don’t know what Kakko has done to signify that he has that floor. He doesn’t have an ounce of physicality, aggression, or effort in him which is typically required for bottom 6 guys. His defensive play is poor as well despite being good at puck possession but that’s only because he likes to hold onto the puck and spin around in circles for 15 seconds only to pass it back to the d-men or throw a random shot on goal with a .01% probability of going in. He’s not an IQ based bottom 6er like Jesper Fast either to make up for the lack of aggression or physicality

 

[deathb4disco]

Fist-bumps all-around

Pitt is way too low on these lists

 

[RangerBoy]

Fist-bumps all-around

I filled out this survey. I had Pittsburgh. Toronto. Vancouver.

Pitt is way too low on these lists

Pittsburgh are the biggest whiny crybabies. They are still mad at Trouba. Get over it.

 

[Savant]

I don’t know what Kakko has done to signify that he has that floor. He doesn’t have an ounce of physicality, aggression, or effort in him which is typically required for bottom 6 guys. His defensive play is poor as well despite being good at puck possession but that’s only because he likes to hold onto the puck and spin around in circles for 15 seconds only to pass it back to the d-men or throw a random shot on goal with a .01% probability of going in. He’s not an IQ based bottom 6er like Jesper Fast either to make up for the lack of aggression or physicality

The defensive metrics, especially from 2020-21 season, disagree with you.

 

[Lays]

The defensive metrics, especially from 2020-21 season, disagree with you.

That’s what I mean. I’ve been saying for a while that Kakko has been very overrated defensively since his little 2 month stretch last season. Outside of that he hasn’t shown anything else defensively. Where was that this season? I would give him a pass if he blew up offensively but he regressed this season

 

[Savant]

That’s what I mean. I’ve been saying for a while that Kakko has been very overrated defensively since his little 2 month stretch last season. Outside of that he hasn’t shown anything else defensively. Where was that this season? I would give him a pass if he blew up offensively but he regressed this season

So you can look at it a couple of ways. I don’t think the Rangers were using Kakko as defensively as they were last year; but to know that he has that in his locker is definitely a bonus.

Kakko is suffering because he does not fit on any of the lines on the team. Also I think the team doesn’t know what to do with him, probably because of the previous sentence. There just isn’t a good fit.

Kakko needs to be a puck dominant winger to get the most out of his offense. That’s not happening here. As I said last year I think they tried to sign Danault last off-season for Kakko. He would make sense with a guy like that on a two way line. He is kind of lost here at the moment. He is too slow to play with Kreider and Zibanejad. He doesn’t do enough retrieval to play with Panarin (and he is probably getting a new center himself). The kid line isn’t trusted and I don’t think that necessarily highlights his strengths either BUT Kakko does has strengths and there is an effective NHL player there albeit probably not one that will deliver on his draft hype.

My point is If Rangers management decides Kakko offense isn’t going to translate and just tell him to focus on defense there is a useful NHL role player in there. I’m not trading him for a guy that doesn’t have anything to fall back on if they can’t contribute offensively. I’m not married to keeping Kakko either, but I do think he could be a contributor even if it’s not in the role people had hoped for.

 

[Lays]

So you can look at it a couple of ways. I don’t think the Rangers were using Kakko as defensively as they were last year; but to know that he has that in his locker is definitely a bonus.

Kakko is suffering because he does not fit on any of the lines on the team. Also I think the team doesn’t know what to do with him, probably because of the previous sentence. There just isn’t a good fit.

Kakko needs to be a puck dominant winger to get the most out of his offense. That’s not happening here. As I said last year I think they tried to sign Danault last off-season for Kakko. He would make sense with a guy like that on a two way line. He is kind of lost here at the moment. He is too slow to play with Kreider and Zibanejad. He doesn’t do enough retrieval to play with Panarin (and he is probably getting a new center himself). The kid line isn’t trusted and I don’t think that necessarily highlights his strengths either BUT Kakko does has strengths and there is an effective NHL player there albeit probably not one that will deliver on his draft hype.

My point is If Rangers management decides Kakko offense isn’t going to translate and just tell him to focus on defense there is a useful NHL role player in there. I’m not trading him for a guy that doesn’t have anything to fall back on if they can’t contribute offensively. I’m not married to keeping Kakko either, but I do think he could be a contributor even if it’s not in the role people had hoped for.

What do you mean not using Kakko defensively? That doesn’t make any sense it’s up to the player to be good defensively or not. Kakko was not good defensively this season especially compared to last season, and that’s okay only if he was producing but he’s produced at the same rate now for 3 seasons. Also didn’t Gallant throw Kakko out on the PK a few times?

I agree 100% with the rest of what you said though

 

[Avery16]

Miles Wood will be interesting. If he was healthy this season he could’ve returned a 1st++ at the TDL. One of the fastest players in the league and plays with an edge. He’s from Buffalo and played for NJD so kind of local guy as well

17 goals in 55 games last season. Only played 3 this season

But NJ has all the space they need to qualify anyone.

 

[EdJovanovski]

If people hate Kakko, they will loathe Dach.

Dach went on Spittin chiclets telling funny stories and seemed like a very confident kid. Kakko is a beta

 

[Avery16]

Kubalik
Kapanen-his contract had a weird structure. the QO is $787,500. front-loaded. $3.2M cap number.
Strome
Bear
Lemieux
Deangelo

Chicago won’t have any problem QOing Kubalik
Because of that structure, wouldn’t it be easy for Pitt to QO Kapanen and trade later?
Don’t see us signing Dylan and letting Ryan walk.
No spot for Bear on the right side.
Lemieux and DeAngelo aren’t coming back.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Dach went on Spittin chiclets telling funny stories and seemed like a very confident kid. Kakko is a beta

I think its hilarious that you keep saying this yet your dreamboat has displayed the most "beta" behavior of anyone lmao.

 

[Savant]

What do you mean not using Kakko defensively? That doesn’t make any sense it’s up to the player to be good defensively or not. Kakko was not good defensively this season especially compared to last season, and that’s okay only if he was producing but he’s produced at the same rate now for 3 seasons. Also didn’t Gallant throw Kakko out on the PK a few times?

I agree 100% with the rest of what you said though

I mean I think the Rangers don’t know what to do with him so they are half measure developing him and hoping something bubbles up. 20-21 he was more protected and played more defensive shifts. This year he was moved around A LOT. He was hurt A LOT. He isn’t getting anything resembling consistency. I think what the Rangers need to do I just tell Kakko, we think you are THIS kind of player and develop that way instead of just throwing him in multiple situations and hoping something sticks.

 

[Boris Zubov]

I filled out this survey. I had Pittsburgh. Toronto. Vancouver.


Pittsburgh are the biggest whiny crybabies. They are still mad at Trouba. Get over it.

They're still mad at David Shaw & Adam Graves for daring to slash Lemieux.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I think its hilarious that you keep saying this yet your dreamboat has displayed the most "beta" behavior of anyone lmao.

Kakko would be nervous af standing up to Drury lol. Just look at their interactions with other players man you can’t tell me Kakko isn’t one of the most awkward dudes in the league. Kravtsov is very outgoing and confident. Watch you’ll see this season him joking around more with players that he barely knows than Kakko who’s played here 3 seasons

I think Kakko’s confidence issues are a huge reason why he hasn’t met expectations, don’t you think? I may be a little more harsh than some but I see this critique of him a lot

 

[haohmaru]

Pittsburgh are the biggest whiny crybabies. They are still mad at Trouba. Get over it.

They should be mad that their team blew a 3-1 lead

 

[RangerBoy]

Chicago won’t have any problem QOing Kubalik
Because of that structure, wouldn’t it be easy for Pitt to QO Kapanen and trade later?
Don’t see us signing Dylan and letting Ryan walk.
No spot for Bear on the right side.
Lemieux and DeAngelo aren’t coming back.

None of these players are coming here. These are the players who will not be qualified.

Chicago is trying to trade Kubalik's rights. I read that in The Athletic yesterday. Kyle Davidson is clearing the decks. His QO is $4M.

The Blackhawks appear set on moving on from Strome, who was their No. 1 center for the second half of last season, and Kubalik, who scored 30 goals as a rookie two years ago. Both are restricted free agents, however, and Davidson would love to trade their negotiating rights and get something in return rather than let them both walk for nothing. Of course, Davidson (and Bowman before him) has been trying to trade Strome for more than a year and hasn’t had any serious takers.

Strome is still being met with skepticism around the league. He’d require a $3.6-million qualifying offer and has arbitration rights (and a pretty good case after producing at nearly a point per game from January on), so teams might be more willing to take their chances on him as an unrestricted free agent if the Blackhawks don’t qualify him. At this point, the Blackhawks would be happy to take a mid-round pick for his rights. Same for Kubalik, on whom they’ll be selling very low after a difficult, 15-goal campaign.

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theathletic.com

Which team is trading for Kapanan signed for a $3M plus number? He had a few good seasons in Toronto but he hasn't done much in Pittsburgh. Hextall could use the money on another player. Maybe Vancouver signs him as a free agent. Rutherford and Alvin were with Pittsburgh when they acquired Kapanen.

 

[Synergy27]

So many excuses for Kakko. So many varying explanations for why he hasn’t produced.

Why not just keep it simple and agree that he’s just not been good? It’s comforting to put most of the blame on external factors. It’s hard to admit that maybe the player just isn’t very good.

It’s not like 2OA draft picks haven’t completely failed before. It’s nice to think that you’re getting a can’t miss superstar there but it’s not a guarantee. Especially when you’re rooting for this team, for which everything must be maximally difficult at all times.

 

[EdJovanovski]

So many excuses for Kakko. So many varying explanations for why he hasn’t produced.

Why not just keep it simple and agree that he’s just not been good? It’s comforting to put most of the blame on external factors. It’s hard to admit that maybe the player just isn’t very good.

It’s not like 2OA draft picks haven’t completely failed before. It’s nice to think that you’re getting a can’t miss superstar there but it’s not a guarantee. Especially when you’re rooting for this team, for which everything must be maximally difficult at all times.

People try coping so hard
Going back and reading off-season threads in 2019 about Kakko is the most sobering thing ever.