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

[FinnishSniper]

"Easily do that", I think some might have gone ahead of themselves a bit here. Pretty sure they won't just roll over Germany, France and Denmark. Goals aside, I will be happy if he continues to play at the overall level he's been playing.

Of course, I just think that in 4 games against even decent opponents he should get a couple and then completely feast on GB with 2-3. Easily was the wrong choice of words, but completely possible might better describe it

 

[FinnishSniper]

Ray Shero can make a worse pick from two good picks again. Like 2006 he took Jordan Staal and that caused 3 Stanley Cups to Chicago. If Shero takes Toews at #2, Chicago would have lesser Cups for sure.

I see same kind of scenario happening in here, if he picks Hughes. Real winner is the New York Rangers. They'll get career BPA at #2. Congratulations.

That's what gonna happen, if Shero has decided their pick already.

We'll see in June is Shero still a Dinosaur, or modern drafter who can react for changes.

They’ll 99% pick Hughes, I’ve actually bet 500€ on it with the odd of 1.88 Should be easy money

 

[Henkka]

They’ll 99% pick Hughes, I’ve actually bet 500€ on it with the odd of 1.88 Should be easy money

Hope the best for you.

Not the first time that BPA is not who goes first.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

So far, pure facts:

- Kakko has shined against kids.
- Kakko has shined against men.
- Hughes has shined against kids.
- Hughes has heavily struggled against men.

So far, until proven othervise, Hughes is on the path of Puljujärvi, a great skater who shined against kids and struggled after the jump on men's hockey.

I have Kakko #1, but to lump Hughes with Pulju because he struggled against men at 17 is just dumb.

 

[FinPanda]

Hughes will be 1st overall. Good to have some discussion though.

 

[FinnishSniper]

Hope the best for you.

Not the first time that BPA is not who goes first.

If the picking team was any other team than NJ, I wouldn’t have made that bet. Given all the connections the Hughes family has to them, there’s no way they don’t pick him.

Also the American poster boy is way more ”mediasexy” than an European one. Hockey is a business after all.

 

[Henkka]

I have Kakko #1, but to lump Hughes with Pulju because he struggled against men at 17 is just dumb.

I'll leave myself on a waiting mode, until proven othervise.

Quinn Hughes looked also horrible 1 year ago, but now he looks great. Big things can happen in a year.

Hope same for Jack.

 

[Henkka]

If the picking team was any other team than NJ, I wouldn’t have made that bet. Given all the connections the Hughes family has to them, there’s no way they don’t pick him.

Also the American poster boy is way more ”mediasexy” than an European one. Hockey is a business after all.

Yeah, I know.

And that's the problem in here. BPA is not going first. Poster boy and market value guy is going first.

Best business for NHL in general would be drafting the poster boy in NY Rangers. Because that's a bigger brand and bigger market, to build bigger business around it.

 

[RageQuit77]

Last few days NA and European sports and hockey medias have been full of articles and analysis about Kaapo, and "how he manhandle and out play seasoned NHL-defenses"...

Doesn't require high levels of induction to expect that he will be marked and very closely guarded guy regardless of whom Finland play against the rest of tournament. He don't have anymore any kind surprise factor on his side (if there was even since 1st game). I think there is/will be some special video-demonstrations and talks concerning Kaapo, and not in the Team Finland's locker room.

Its not like "these easy countries" are passive, mindless fools, unable to adjust to perceived threat anyway. Its interesting how Kaapo will adjust himself, and how he handle enormous expectations and special treatments coming from opponents.

 

[Henkka]

Its not like "these easy countries" are passive, mindless fools, unable to adjust to perceived threat anyway. Its interesting how Kaapo will adjust himself, and how he handle enormous expectations and special treatments coming from opponents.

It was interesting, when Kakko kind of went and called some attention by himself from Ryan Suter. And then humiliated him in the OT.

He is like Predator-figure (the Movie), calls for the challenge.

 

[Kiekura]

Last few days NA and European sports and hockey medias have been full of articles and analysis about Kaapo, and "how he manhandle and out play seasoned NHL-defenses"...

Doesn't require high levels of induction to expect that he will be marked and very closely guarded guy regardless of whom Finland play against the rest of tournament. He don't have anymore any kind surprise factor on his side (if there was even since 1st game). I think there is/will be some special video-demonstrations and talks concerning Kaapo, and not in the Team Finland's locker room.

Its not like "these easy countries" are passive, mindless fools, unable to adjust to perceived threat anyway. Its interesting how Kaapo will adjust himself, and how he handle enormous expectations and special treatments coming from opponents.

USA already had him in their teeths. Kid IS handling that pressure well

 

[fr9dd9]

I saw that finnish interview where the reporter say something like.

Reporter - Hey Kakko, there is some kakkomania going around in the World, what would you like to say the everyone.

Kakko - Just relax, I wont score in every game.

And then he just walks away.

This was obviously after the first two games. So he knows the preassure and expectstions around the hockey World and still go on against USA and have maybe hes best game of this tournament so far. The preassure cant touch this kid!

 

[Kiekura]

I saw that finnish interview where the reporter say something like.

Reporter - Hey Kakko, there is some kakkomania going around in the World, what would you like to say the everyone.

Kakko - Just relax, I wont score in every game.

And then he just walks away.

This was obviously after the first two games. So he knows the preassure and expectstions around the hockey World and still go on against USA and have maybe hes best game of this tournament so far. The preassure cant touch this kid!

And at the same time you can constantly see him swearing when he misses great goal chances or makes stupid play. I love it how much he wants to score and be best.

 

[ijuka]

Last few days NA and European sports and hockey medias have been full of articles and analysis about Kaapo, and "how he manhandle and out play seasoned NHL-defenses"...

Doesn't require high levels of induction to expect that he will be marked and very closely guarded guy regardless of whom Finland play against the rest of tournament. He don't have anymore any kind surprise factor on his side (if there was even since 1st game). I think there is/will be some special video-demonstrations and talks concerning Kaapo, and not in the Team Finland's locker room.

Its not like "these easy countries" are passive, mindless fools, unable to adjust to perceived threat anyway. Its interesting how Kaapo will adjust himself, and how he handle enormous expectations and special treatments coming from opponents.

Yeah, they'll mark him and guard him closely. But can you dedicate 2 guys to him? I doubt you can, even a bunch of Liiga plugs will probably take advantage of a 4v3 situation. He'll have someone shadowing him, of course, but what will it do? Ryan Suter did a good job, but Kakko still was able to be effective in spite of Suter's presence, and extremely few teams have anyone of Suter's caliber to dedicate to Kakko. Only Sweden does, I'd say.

 

[kelsier]

It's definitely going to be interesting to see how much he can score against lower tier countries after having already met the biggest and worst opponents in the group. Another 5 goals in the remaining group stage games would be nothing short of awwsum, but it's not something I'd expect. Wasn't the all time record even prior to modern era hockey like 9 or 10 goals? It'd be unheard of to break that in a team with a support cast comparable to a level of a good European hockey club (which isn't exactly a compliment). I've read how some people talk about him having the leverage of joining the team early, get to know and adjust to his team mates but c'mon, compared to NHL star/superstar level of line mates? The difference is night and day. Just imagine what Kakko could've done with someone like Barkov for instance, not only would he no longer have to create most of his own scoring chances, but he'd have someone actually capable of capitalizing passes. Then again, if he keeps up creating at least one empty netter each game, even with the Finish finishing ability, the odds are like 51/49 that one of them goes in.

Can't believe I'm actually saying this but cannot wait for this game against Denmark, ha.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think there's no way they're doing that. The kid is one of the most competitive kids I've seen. He wants to get as many points as he can to set records. Besides, the kid has incredible endurance, which many don't even know about. At his Liiga team he had the best endurance and VO2-max of all the grown men, which is incredible. The kid doesn't need rest...

Is there any report online or a video to reference to regarding this?

 

[FinnishSniper]

Is there any report online or a video to reference to regarding this?

It’s in Finnish and I don’t have the time to translate it (maybe use google translate?), but I’ll link it anyways: Kaapo Kakko ällistytti joukkuekaverinsa sisäisessä testissä: ”Katsoimme muun joukkueen kanssa monttu auki”

Basically the test was skating from end-to-end and you have to touch the end boards before a signal. The pace keeps getting faster and faster until no players are able to make the way to the boards before the signal. Also known as the ”piip-test” in Finland used with football teams for example to measure endurance and speed.

 

[HBK27]

Yeah, I know.

And that's the problem in here. BPA is not going first. Poster boy and market value guy is going first.

Best business for NHL in general would be drafting the poster boy in NY Rangers. Because that's a bigger brand and bigger market, to build bigger business around it.

You're making excuses. Kakko is not clearly the BPA - it's highly debatable between him and Hughes. There's a reason most scouts had and still have Hughes #1 on their list and it's not because he's from North America.

Shero's job is to build a championship team - that's also how his legacy will be defined, not by how many tickets he sold. If Castron and his team truly believe that Kakko is going to be the best player from this draft, Shero is not going to overrule him because he has a connection to the Hughes family and they can market an American born player more. Winning sells tickets above all else. Devils are going to pick the player they believe will help the franchise win the most.

 

[Nate070]

It’s in Finnish and I don’t have the time to translate it (maybe use google translate?), but I’ll link it anyways: Kaapo Kakko ällistytti joukkuekaverinsa sisäisessä testissä: ”Katsoimme muun joukkueen kanssa monttu auki”

Basically the test was skating from end-to-end and you have to touch the end boards before a signal. The pace keeps getting faster and faster until no players are able to make the way to the boards before the signal. Also known as the ”piip-test” in Finland used with football teams for example to measure endurance and speed.

Wow, that´s really impressive how good shape he´s already in. How will he be when he´s 23-25 years old. A true BEAST

 

[Hockeyisl1fe]

No offense to your opinion on their closeness pre-WC as its fine to have - but 98% of scouts had Jack first pre-WC. That means it has to be far enough apart to be consensus, no matter how close it actually may be talent wise.

Yet now on HF Kakko is the better player after four games (or even just a single tournament)?

Pre WJC u18 you mean? If we are going by this logic of dismissing recent international performances due to recency bias, then surely we can count out Hughes' record breaking tournament that solified his status as a clear #1 according to many? Or does a huge three week difference between the WHC and u18 WJC somehow make the latter not counting as recency bias? Ok, cutting all the bs, I'm not really conviced you would argue the WHC not meaning anything if Hughes looked like McDavid vs this competition, let's be real. Hughes stock (to certain Finnish posters: he is not Pulju 2.0 lol, he is about 10x more poised with the puck) hasn't lowered because of this tournament, but if you think Kakko's stock hasnt risen to the point of him becoming 1b in the draft then I dont really know what to tell you. The biggest question for all the prospects usually is how their game will translate to the NHL and Kakko has been able to play for his strengths vs pretty legitimate NHLers. I believe Devils will still take Hughes (again his stock hasnt lowered) because he seems to be a player fitting for what Shero is trying to build.

 

[ijuka]

Pre WJC u18 you mean? If we are going by this logic of dismissing recent international performances due to recency bias, then surely we can count out Hughes' record breaking tournament that solified his status as a clear #1 according to many?

... Especially as it wasn't even record-breaking on its own. What broke the record is the highest score in two u-18 competitions back to back, previously held by Alex Ovechkin. Looking at just single tournament scoring, it was not record-breaking and Kucherov holds the record.

Kakko's WHCs could actually be record-breaking, though. He needs 3 more goals in 7 more games.

 

[Henkka]

That Kakko is out there. It can't be reasoned with, it can't be bargained with. It doesn't feel pity of remorse or fear and it absolutely will not stop. Ever. Until you lose.

- Opposite team Coach Kyle Reese

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

- Opposite team Coach Kyle Reese

Are you saying Kakko is a Terminator?

 

[RageQuit77]

Mind games.

Exactly where I consider Team Finland weak. Luckily there are Jalonen. He can say Perkele without ego-conflicts with this team. His team.

That's something.

(Disclaimer. I'm not pessimist, but I won't eat that force-fed Finnish/Kaapo hype without some reservations.)

 

[FinPanda]

Are you saying Kakko is a Terminator?

Yes, absolutely