RW Kaapo Kakko - TPS, Liiga (2019 Draft) Part 5

[Waldemarsonson]

I think here's a problem.

Tps played HPK in the playoffs, the champs.
Kakko was the best player and Mr Tps.
Even HPK guys admitted that.

How many x teams fans watched those playoff games?

Kakko enters the Worlds and keeps dominating.
Still there shouldn't be any arguments for Hughes vs Kakko because it would be based on 3 games and you don't change 1sts so late.

Well excuse me, this is only late if you didn't bother to check on the guy post WJC.

With that said I'd be mad if he went to New Jersey. But's Let's stop this arrogant garbage and admit Kakko deserves to be at the very top of the rankings, next to Hughes.

As long as the 'hockey' reporters paint hughes tiers and tiers above him, the ridicule is justified if not needed.

The insecurity of some People just hinder the progress of the entire league.

 

[bigdog16]

It's more like men defend the ice much differently from juniors, in my eyes. It's a lot more disciplined, blown assignments are rarer. Usually something unexpected needs to happen.

Its pretty different. There is a lot more man on man coverage on the bigger ice, especially in the d-zone. But yes blown assignments are a lot more rare and players are more disciplined.

 

[RorschachWJK]

I guess when u picked up on it?
Guess the commute To the slums stabs a bit?
And its now my, kakkos and every one elses problem. When you have one.

Gotta love it. Bring it

You aren't as funny as you think you are.

 

[BB88]

As long as the 'hockey' reporters paint hughes tiers and tiers above him, the ridicule is justified if not needed.

The insecurity of some People just hinder the progress of the entire league.

Some time ago Sir Bob already had them close.

Post that dominant playoffs+ start of WC's for Kakko.

 

[RorschachWJK]

I think Kakko will likely be the better player of the two. But I want him to go second. Although in NJ, there would be Vatanen to help the transition. But I guess Zibanejad is almost as good that way.

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

I wonder if the fact that NJ needs to be good next year to entice Hall to stay will factor into any decision making on their end. Kakko looks like he'll be a game breaker in the NHL immediately.

 

[tuozzi]

Id say max 1-2 more. If any. Little girl just was a shadow and the other kid a beast.

Should tone down my bash of huge the magnificent.

But at the same time you guys do this To us and find nothing wrong with that.

Im just trying to enjoy the Steven a Smith type of understand in this board has.

Love and peace

Buddy, putting a profile together just to talk trash was a bad idea. Doing so before being able to form a coherent sentence in English was a horrible idea.

 

[BB88]

I wonder if the fact that NJ needs to be good next year to entice Hall to stay will factor into any decision making on their end. Kakko looks like he'll be a game breaker in the NHL immediately.

Hall- Nico- Kakko would be basically the Avs line.

(this isn't to say in any way that Kakko goes to Devils, just a helluva line).

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He made a play on the second goal that was as important towards the goal as the players who got the assists. There was a stick on the ice, and instead of passing the puck to a player in the direction of that stick, he pivoted and passed it the other way. It was a very smart play. There was no need to risk hitting the stick with a pass, and he made a very quick decision while he was battling in the corner to pass the puck in the other direction.

I've always liked his hockey IQ when in possession of the puck. I think he also has good potential for hockey IQ without the puck, but he doesn't have the same level of motor without the puck, which mitigates his hockey IQ defensively. Thats an area he can get better at.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Hall- Nico- Kakko would be basically the Avs line.

(this isn't to say in any way that Kakko goes to Devils, just a helluva line).

I'd love this line. However, I'd love Nico-Hughes center combination as well. Tough choice for the Devils. Right now I'd choose Kakko 51/49.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

On the other hand, I think that Kakko's game is very well suited for small ice and he'll benefit from the transition.

Agreed. He played very well when he played on smaller rinks this season

 

[Gsus]

Kakko played one hell of a game, again. The way he protects the puck against NHL'ers, He's better than most NHL'ers at it already. His speed is fine, his hands are soft, he is tough to play against.

After this tournament, if the consensus shifts on Kakko going #1, it'll be really interesting to see what the Devils do. I mean, when you'd have TSN, ISS Hockey, NA Central scouting thinking Kakko as the #1 it's not easy for Shero to call Hughes' name.. There's some pressure already and it's going to get bigger.

 

[crowi]

I wonder if the fact that NJ needs to be good next year to entice Hall to stay will factor into any decision making on their end. Kakko looks like he'll be a game breaker in the NHL immediately.

Doesn't Hall have a good relationship with Hughes already? I remember reading about those two. That kind of thing matters for the club. Even if Hughes doesn't perform well in this tournament, I don't think there's really a choice for NJ - especially after what Shero has said. They'll take Hughes and live with it.

 

[Monsieur Verdoux]

Doesn't Hall have a good relationship with Hughes already? I remember reading about those two. That kind of thing matters for the club. Even if Hughes doesn't perform well in this tournament, I don't think there's really a choice for NJ - especially after what Shero has said. They'll take Hughes and live with it.

Yeah, but maybe Hall wants someone to the team with whom he can play right away. Someone who is NHL ready.

But I agree, the Devils probably take Hughes, and I'm fine with that.

Edit: I didn't read that quote well enough, so I'm saying same things that @deflowd said. Forget about it.

 

[crowi]

Yeah, but maybe Hall wants someone to the team with whom he can play right away. Someone who is NHL ready.

But I agree, the Devils probably take Hughes, and I'm fine with that.

Edit: I didn't read that quote well enough, so I'm saying same things that @deflowd said. Forget about it.

Indeed I hope they do. Just was more about how Hall and Hughes are close, so they could use that to help to get him re-signed.

 

[ijuka]

Kakko played one hell of a game, again. The way he protects the puck against NHL'ers, He's better than most NHL'ers at it already. His speed is fine, his hands are soft, he is tough to play against.

After this tournament, if the consensus shifts on Kakko going #1, it'll be really interesting to see what the Devils do. I mean, when you'd have TSN, ISS Hockey, NA Central scouting thinking Kakko as the #1 it's not easy for Shero to call Hughes' name.. There's some pressure already and it's going to get bigger.

I doubt the actual consensus will shift. But I think it will no longer be unanimous. For someone, it should act as a tie breaker. Even if they're an old school Don Cherry-type. Who does he prefer, for the record?

 

[BroadwayStorm]

Look Devils go away gtfo and take Hughes leave Kakko alone. You didn't want him before so f off.

 

[lakai17]

Hall - Nico - Kakko would be sick, but having Nico/Hughes would be a great 1-2 punch for NJ. Kakko has looked super impressive at the WHC.

I don't know if that line would click but who kmows.

 

[bert]

Didn't look very fast to me while sitting on the ice after getting thrown down like a ragdoll.

Well I guess you will have to watch him more than one highlite before you decide on the type of player he is. Sucks but thats just the way it goes.

He throws big hits like this one

 

[zharkenby]

Sad little man sad.
Others not so.
Sad man projects his inner insecurities.
Reply.
Sad man confused.

Ok then.

Im sad for sad man for not understanding his native(?) language.

Truly a sad day for hockey.
In every aspect.

Is this a riddle? If so you win man

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Kakko played one hell of a game, again. The way he protects the puck against NHL'ers, He's better than most NHL'ers at it already. His speed is fine, his hands are soft, he is tough to play against.

After this tournament, if the consensus shifts on Kakko going #1, it'll be really interesting to see what the Devils do. I mean, when you'd have TSN, ISS Hockey, NA Central scouting thinking Kakko as the #1 it's not easy for Shero to call Hughes' name.. There's some pressure already and it's going to get bigger.

The Devils have already made their decision just like 90% of teams do before the WC starts. Whens the last time a WC performance changed the top-3?

I will tune in to Rangers game to see Kakko play a lot. Besides the fact that I already tune into Rangers and Islanders game daily since were all local - now I have even more reason to watch the stinky Rags play just like when the smelly Isles got Barzal

 

[DaJackal]

I don't think either that the consensus will change to Kakko. But if he continues like this and Hughes doesn't improve I'd be surprised if no scouting agency shifts their opinion.

My guess is this:
-Kakko goes #2 to Rangers
-Kakko will immediately take a spot in the Rangers middle six
-Plays a full-ish NHL season, not dominating but I can see him being a 20+20 player right away

This would put a lot of pressure on Devils, though. If Kakko looks constantly good and at times even dominant, it will force NJ to play Hughes in the NHL way more than he should, because it doesn't look good in the eyes of the fanbase if your #1OA is struggling in NHL level while the next guy seems to belong there right from the start. Fans are not very patient when it comes to lottery pick prospects.

I believe Hughes will be a very good player and possibly worth (most of) the hype. But his physique is just not ready for NHL and I fear there is a big risk he might get rattled bad. It only takes one Tom Wilson.

But, enough of Hughes. Can't wait for the rest of the games!

 

[Lepardi]

Well I guess you will have to watch him more than one highlite before you decide on the type of player he is. Sucks but thats just the way it goes.

Sorry but he'll have to swap teams first. Right now I can't think of one single reason why I'd be interested in watching the Senators play, but I have a strong feeling I'll be watching a lot of New York Rangers hockey come next October. There's only one reason for that.

 

[Favin]

Kakko has been a joy to watch...and completely deserves being part of the 1/2 discussion. I don't know that he has forced himself into #1 spot ahead of Hughes in the eyes of Ray Shero and Tom Fitzgerald, or more importantly, Devils ownership. But I doubt they will consider (a) one tournament's stats or (b) any potential 2019-20 season comparisons by fanbase as factors in their decision-making.

 

[abo9]

Can someone explain to me why the consensus is that Kakko is better now, but Hughes will be better in the future?

Kakko and Hughes are only 2-3 months difference in age no? Or do we know Kakko physically peaked and Hughes still has not? I don't see why Kakko could not still learn to train better under an NHL management/team with almost unlimited resources and he should still be able to develop his hockey smarts no?

Genuine question. I don't follow scouting as much as some here and I have a hard time understanding why a more ready player that's better now (at that level of eliteness of top 1-2 picks at least) can't keep that advantage? At this point Hughes would be trying to reach Kakko's level and not the opposite no? Is Hughes hockey IQ so above the charts that he will surefire be a way better player than Kakko in 2-3 years?