RW Kaapo Kakko - TPS, Liiga (2019 Draft)

[teravaineSAROS]

I have a hard time believing that Kakko has a better shot. Svechnikovs shot is damn near one of the best I have ever seen. Not a ton of 17 years old put up a GPG in the OHL while coming off a wrist injury.

Yea there's no way Kakko's shot is better. People are selling Svechnikov short just because Dahlin took so much space in this draft

 

[Erikfromfin]

3rd overall in Bob Mckenzies draft ranking show... Anttoni Honka didnt make top20

 

[kelsier]

3rd overall in Bob Mckenzies draft ranking show... Anttoni Honka didnt make top20

They always slow warms to the Finns. Nothing unusual there and besides, rankings at this time means jacks*it. He's either going first or second, time will tell.

TPS faces Kärpät tomorrow. That's going to be an interesting match up with Kupari and Heponiemi at the other side.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

They always slow warms to the Finns. Nothing unusual there and besides, rankings at this time means jacks*it. He's either going first or second, time will tell.

TPS faces Kärpät tomorrow. That's going to be an interesting match up with Kupari and Heponiemi at the other side.

Kotkaniemi was a late first rounder most of the year.

 

[goodfellas]

The way he handle the puck and skate reminds me of Auston Matthews. Kakko is a very very interesting prospect to say the least !!

 

[Razamanaz]

Today Jokerit (Helsinki) beat Traktor Chelyabinsk with a brutal 8-0 (!) in the KHL ... and people will still tell that SHL (Sweden) is the third best league in the world over and over again.
Jokerit haven't lost a game til today in regulation. And they stay top in KHL.

Even if Jokerit is KHL.

And JYP (Jyväskylä) beat ya, SHL, in the Champions Hockey League, Sweden.

Finland people are always way to humble - but not this time around - coz Kaapo Kakko is a star no matter what!

 

[VictorLustig]

Today Jokerit (Helsinki) beat Traktor Chelyabinsk with a brutal 8-0 (!) in the KHL ... and people will still tell that SHL (Sweden) is the third best league in the world over and over again.
Jokerit haven't lost a game til today in regulation. And they stay top in KHL.

Even if Jokerit is KHL.

And JYP (Jyväskylä) beat ya, SHL, in the Champions Hockey League, Sweden.

Finland people are always way to humble - but not this time around - coz Kaapo Kakko is a star no matter what!

Key sentence right there

 

[Razamanaz]

In Kaapo Kakko we trust.

 

[Hokinaittii]

Gotta love seeing him wearing the golden helmet tomorrow. If I recall right Laine also got his golden helmet after first few games. Here's hoping Kakko can hold onto it little longer since I don't think Laine had it longer than couple of games.

 

[Gsus]

The way he handle the puck and skate reminds me of Auston Matthews. Kakko is a very very interesting prospect to say the least !!

You are the first person besides me to come out with this. Thank you. I see a lot of similarities in their game.

 

[Habs76]

Today Jokerit (Helsinki) beat Traktor Chelyabinsk with a brutal 8-0 (!) in the KHL ... and people will still tell that SHL (Sweden) is the third best league in the world over and over again.
Jokerit haven't lost a game til today in regulation. And they stay top in KHL.

Even if Jokerit is KHL.

And JYP (Jyväskylä) beat ya, SHL, in the Champions Hockey League, Sweden.

Finland people are always way to humble - but not this time around - coz Kaapo Kakko is a star no matter what!

That's like saying USHL > CHL because an NCAA team would crush CHL teams

 

[Hammer Slammer]

Here's his first game of the season. Really enjoyed watching him.

Kaapo Kakko vs HPK | Sep 14 2018 - ProspectShifts.com

 

[Blade Paradigm]

You are the first person besides me to come out with this. Thank you. I see a lot of similarities in their game.

I think this is actually a very apt comparison. Matthews is slightly taller and much heavier, thus playing a more powerful game; Kakko is lighter and shiftier along the boards. Matthews is also more of a shooter than Kakko. When Matthews was drafted, I believe he was 6'3'', 215 lbs. Kakko is 6'1'', 180 lbs.

Otherwise, it's a better comparison than some of the others I've seen.

Here's Matthews as a 17-year-old at the 2015 World Juniors.



Here's a shift-by-shift of Matthews' first NLA game.



The Peter Forsberg comparison doesn't work for me because of the physical aspect of his game. Forsberg was a mean, rugged player.

 

[93LEAFS]

They always slow warms to the Finns. Nothing unusual there and besides, rankings at this time means jacks*it. He's either going first or second, time will tell.

TPS faces Kärpät tomorrow. That's going to be an interesting match up with Kupari and Heponiemi at the other side.

They had Puljujarvi tied for 2 entering his draft year (Laine was behind Matthews, Puljujarvi and Chychrun). So, while it has been true for Heiskanen and Kotkaniemi, you do see movement both ways. At this point last year Kupari was 12th, and Vesalainen and Tolvanen were both top 10 in 2016. Plus, Kakko has already been ranked 2 in other places right now. Firstly by HockeyProspect.com in their list on Sunday, and Pronman in June.

https://www.tsn.ca/the-year-of-swedish-defencemen-1.852963

https://www.tsn.ca/mckenzie-s-pre-season-ranking-the-nolan-patrick-draft-1.567410

https://www.tsn.ca/elite-prospect-matthews-tops-mckenzie-s-ranking-1.364099

 

[kelsier]

They had Puljujarvi tied for 2 entering his draft year (Laine was behind Matthews, Puljujarvi and Chychrun). So, while it has been true for Heiskanen and Kotkaniemi, you do see movement both ways. At this point last year Kupari was 12th, and Vesalainen and Tolvanen were both top 10 in 2016. Plus, Kakko has already been ranked 2 in other places right now. Firstly by HockeyProspect.com in their list on Sunday, and Pronman in June.

https://www.tsn.ca/the-year-of-swedish-defencemen-1.852963

https://www.tsn.ca/mckenzie-s-pre-season-ranking-the-nolan-patrick-draft-1.567410

https://www.tsn.ca/elite-prospect-matthews-tops-mckenzie-s-ranking-1.364099

I wasn't really referring to McKenzie's lists especially, but early draft boards in general. But sure, it can certainly go both ways. I think players from the NA jr leagues have an early edge regardless, due to the exposure in the large markets (which do not exist to the level around these continents). Unless you're long hyped borderline generational prospect like Dahlin with no real contest from the two priorly mentioned countries, it's not quite common to see Euro prospect even in the top 3 this early. It almost takes a pro level experience for any Euro to get ranked high early (as long as they are playing in Europe) and that normally doesn't happen before the draft year if even then, minus of course a few exceptions. Even Kakko only had few games in FEL at age 16 for instance.

Like we've seen these lists don't really mean much at this point. Where was Heiskanen for example? Also most of the early 2016 scouting agencies had both Puljujärvi and Laine somewhere outside top 10 if I remember correctly and Laine especially should have been top 5 at that point already, even if only based on his early international success (such as Sundsvall where he was head and shoulders above everyone already at age 15). Puljujärvi had the "better" physique and showed a lot of skill early and even he didn't get much love. Only McKenzie had them ranked top 5 once 2014-15 was over and done with.

Kakko seems like an exception to the rule. No consistent pro level success before entering his D season, but he did make a heck of a showcase for himself at the U18 world championships. Had he missed the competition due to an injury for instance I wonder if he'd be even in the top 5 right now. Where as, had it happened with Hughes I think he'd still be ranked #1.

Anyway exploding off the gates this way is quite a feat. The pre-season games don't really count much, but CHL does and he's been scoring points pretty much in every game so far, while being the author of two GWGs in his first two 18-19 FEL appearances. Considering that he should be expected to be adjusting to the pro level, instead he's been taking over games. Today will be the real test when they face Kärpät, who are the annual favorites. Excellent chance to view Kupari and Heponiemi at the same time.

 

[93LEAFS]

I wasn't really referring to McKenzie's lists especially, but early draft boards in general. But sure, it can certainly go both ways. I think players from the NA jr leagues have an early edge regardless, due to the exposure in the large markets (which do not exist to the level around these continents). Unless you're long hyped borderline generational prospect like Dahlin with no real contest from the two priorly mentioned countries, it's not quite common to see Euro prospect even in the top 3 this early. It almost takes a pro level experience for any Euro to get ranked high early (as long as they are playing in Europe) and that normally doesn't happen before the draft year if even then, minus of course a few exceptions. Even Kakko only had few games in FEL at age 16 for instance.

Like we've seen these lists don't really mean much at this point. Where was Heiskanen for example? Also most of the early 2016 scouting agencies had both Puljujärvi and Laine somewhere outside top 10 if I remember correctly and Laine especially should have been top 5 at that point already, even if only based on his early international success (such as Sundsvall where he was head and shoulders above everyone already at age 15). Puljujärvi had the "better" physique and showed a lot of skill early and even he didn't get much love. Only McKenzie had them ranked top 5 once 2014-15 was over and done with.

Kakko seems like an exception to the rule. No consistent pro level success before entering his D season, but he did make a heck of a showcase for himself at the U18 world championships. Had he missed the competition due to an injury for instance I wonder if he'd be even in the top 5 right now. Where as, had it happened with Hughes I think he'd still be ranked #1.

Anyway exploding off the gates this way is quite a feat. The pre-season games don't really count much, but CHL does and he's been scoring points pretty much in every game so far, while being the author of two GWGs in his first two 18-19 FEL appearances. Considering that he should be expected to be adjusting to the pro level, instead he's been taking over games. Today will be the real test when they face Kärpät, who are the annual favorites. Excellent chance to view Kupari and Heponiemi at the same time.

Laine had character concerns after the Hlinka the previous year. Most places had him fairly high. I actually think you would be hard pressed to find Puljujarvi outside the top 5 on any list entering that year. Here are his rankings for preliminary places that year.

McKenzie: 2nd
HockeyProspect.com: 3rd
Future Considerations: 3rd
Pronman: 2nd
Craig Button: 2nd

Now, I can't track down ISS or McKeens from the time, but I remember the top 3 universally being Matthews, Chychrun and Puljujarvi and I was closely following the draft, as I expected the Leafs to be terrible, which they were. HockeyProspect.com rankings were pre-Hlinka, but they had Laine at 8 in June and then had him at 3 in their September rankings (and the first place to have him above Puljujarvi). So, if you want to look at it, to a comparable time-frame to now. Laine and Puljujarvi were top 5 by Bob, Button and HockeyProspect.com. In FC's first ranking post-Hlinka ranking on October 11th 2015, Laine was 4th.

The biggest exception to what you are talking about, is actually Podkolzin. He has hardly even played in the MHL. Broberg is also fairly high on some lists despite playing J-20 last year. I know its harder for guys to get attention due to being in Euro junior leagues, but I think you are really mis-remembering on Puljujarvi. Laine was a weird case, where he had to remove the stigma around him after having such a disastrous incident at the 2014 Hlinka (an event where a bunch of NA scouts get first good looks at Euro's) that he had to really dominate and remove character question concerns.

 

[Blade Paradigm]

Laine had character concerns after the Hlinka the previous year. Most places had him fairly high. I actually think you would be hard pressed to find Puljujarvi outside the top 5 on any list entering that year. Here are his rankings for preliminary places that year.

McKenzie: 2nd
HockeyProspect.com: 3rd
Future Considerations: 3rd
Pronman: 2nd
Craig Button: 2nd

Now, I can't track down ISS or McKeens from the time, but I remember the top 3 universally being Matthews, Chychrun and Puljujarvi and I was closely following the draft, as I expected the Leafs to be terrible, which they were. HockeyProspect.com rankings were pre-Hlinka, but they had Laine at 8 in June and then had him at 3 in their September rankings (and the first place to have him above Puljujarvi). So, if you want to look at it, to a comparable time-frame to now. Laine and Puljujarvi were top 5 by Bob, Button and HockeyProspect.com. In FC's first ranking post-Hlinka ranking on October 11th 2015, Laine was 4th.

ISS' first 2016 rankings from October 2015 featured the following rankings:

ISS Top 30 - October 2015 - ISS Hockey

1. Matthews
2. Chychrun
3. Max Jones
4. Tkachuk
5. Puljujarvi
6. Laine

McKeen's December 1, 2015 rankings featured the following:

McKeen’s 2016 Top 30 NHL Draft Rankings (Dec-2015)

1. Matthews
2. Michael McLeod
3. Chychrun
4. Laine
5. Puljujarvi

 

[fr9dd9]

He reminds me of mcdavid, im not even trolling. You can tell he got explosive legs, just need muscle. He Will be a beast once he gets man strength

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

He reminds me of mcdavid, im not even trolling. You can tell he got explosive legs, just need muscle. He Will be a beast once he gets man strength

 

[fr9dd9]

Well, I think I was the first on here pointing out that aho was special, like Granlund+ special. No one believed me untill the year after that or even two years... But okey then, im trolling a little about the mcdavid comperasion, but I get a little same vibes watcing kakko as watching mcdavid. Just super star talent++ and hey, im not even finnish

 

[kelsier]

Laine had character concerns after the Hlinka the previous year. Most places had him fairly high. I actually think you would be hard pressed to find Puljujarvi outside the top 5 on any list entering that year. Here are his rankings for preliminary places that year.

McKenzie: 2nd
HockeyProspect.com: 3rd
Future Considerations: 3rd
Pronman: 2nd
Craig Button: 2nd

Now, I can't track down ISS or McKeens from the time, but I remember the top 3 universally being Matthews, Chychrun and Puljujarvi and I was closely following the draft, as I expected the Leafs to be terrible, which they were. HockeyProspect.com rankings were pre-Hlinka, but they had Laine at 8 in June and then had him at 3 in their September rankings (and the first place to have him above Puljujarvi). So, if you want to look at it, to a comparable time-frame to now. Laine and Puljujarvi were top 5 by Bob, Button and HockeyProspect.com. In FC's first ranking post-Hlinka ranking on October 11th 2015, Laine was 4th.

The biggest exception to what you are talking about, is actually Podkolzin. He has hardly even played in the MHL. Broberg is also fairly high on some lists despite playing J-20 last year. I know its harder for guys to get attention due to being in Euro junior leagues, but I think you are really mis-remembering on Puljujarvi. Laine was a weird case, where he had to remove the stigma around him after having such a disastrous incident at the 2014 Hlinka (an event where a bunch of NA scouts get first good looks at Euro's) that he had to really dominate and remove character question concerns.

The first time I saw the two of them ranked in the top 5 was after the 2014-15 playoff finals in a show by McKenzie where he had quick peek into the 2016 draft. I think they JP and PL were 3th & 4th and I remember thinking to myself that finally they are getting the recognition. I probably mixed that up with the preliminary 2016 rankings from the following fall. Though quite honestly this part I had forgotten over the years which is quite funny cause that's the one draft I seriously kept a good tap on, ha. Tried to do a quick google to check if the memory was playing tricks on me but the only rankings that showed up was Hockey's Future from October and November with Laine being first 6th and then 9th and Puljujärvi 5th and 5th. Not that I doubt your findings though. However in regards to Laine I don't think his attitude was much of an issue in his draft year. After all that was 2 years after the incident, after which not one single hockey professional he had anything to do with, had anything whatsoever bad thing to say about him at least as far as I can remember - the scouts do thoroughly research on each top prospect on their radar, including interviewing their coaches and other people they work with. Nor can I remember reading much anything about that incident in his draft year's scouting reviews. If he would have been considered a trouble-child I doubt he would have been even that high in the early rankings. To me it just looks like it took a "while" for the scouts to interpret the massive gap in hockey IQ between him, Puljujärvi (and pretty much the rest as well).

Yeah, there often are a few exceptions and early risers. Last year it was Kupari and this year Podkolzin. Guess you can figure out the connection. The latter actually seems quite a talent but we'll have to see how far he can fly in the long run. If Kakko continues the way he has started (of course not granted), I think there's going to be quite a gap between the first two and the third player drafted in the 2019. I'd say so far so good.

 

[ijuka]

Thing with Laine was the he was in conversation for first overall(But perhaps actually 2nd overall) in 2013-2014 until he suffered his knee injury. Then he had a very mediocre season and his stock sunk until the u-18s.

With Kakko, there's been nothing like that. He's just been progressing steadily up. Actually, a couple of years ago you wouldn't have had him as a top prospect, exactly, whereas Laine was breaking records(that still seem unmatchable). The trajectory's fantastic for Kakko.

I
McKeen’s 2016 Top 30 NHL Draft Rankings (Dec-2015)

1. Matthews
2. Michael McLeod
3. Chychrun
4. Laine
5. Puljujarvi

Yikes!

 

[kelsier]

Thing with Laine was the he was in conversation for first overall(But perhaps actually 2nd overall) in 2013-2014 until he suffered his knee injury. Then he had a very mediocre season and his stock sunk until the u-18s.

With Kakko, there's been nothing like that. He's just been progressing steadily up. Actually, a couple of years ago you wouldn't have had him as a top prospect, exactly, whereas Laine was breaking records(that still seem unmatchable). The trajectory's fantastic for Kakko.

Yikes!

That cursed and unfortunate injury ruined not only the summer but the next entire season for Laine. Nevermind these two first NHL seasons that could have been even better, no matter how crazy that sounds.

McKeen's had Laine #1 prior to the draft by the way. I just don't know what they saw in McLeod.

Luckily Kakko hasn't suffered anything of the kind and now I'm just holding fingers crossed for him to stay healthy. The other difference is Kakko surfacing nearly out of nowhere where Laine was dominating internationally at age 15 and being pretty well-known domestically. Anyway, outside of analyzing backgrounds, I don't see any reason to compare the two and it's not a competition for me. Just happy to have them both represent the national team one day.

 

[Red Solo Cup]

does anybody have a stream for the game?

 

[LOFIN]

does anybody have a stream for the game?

No illegal streams, since the new broadcaster Telia has made it impossible for foreigners to subscibe outside of Finland. No russian streams=no streams.