Prospect Info: The Second Overall Pick Thread: Part I (Kakko/Hughes Talk)

[AlternateSideParking]

Nobody’s saying he isn’t

A bunch of people on Twitter are trying to sell this narrative that Kakko’s shot is a weaker area of his game. I’d love to know where and when that originated.

My IG feed is loaded with Kakko snipes off the pass, off the rush, from the slot etc, and all as a 17-year-old draft prospect in an elite league.

They might think Kakko’s shot isn’t much, but I’d bet a pretty penny that every Liiga goalie would disagree.

 

[Irishguy42]

What other players (besides Finns) does Kakko remind you of? The speed of his hands and processing is dizzying, and he is literally a tank.

Just going through a couple of draft threads, Hossa and Rantanen are the names that pop up the most.

I'm not good with comparables to make my own judgement here.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

A bunch of people on Twitter are trying to sell this narrative that Kakko’s shot is a weaker area of his game. I’d love to know where and when that originated.

My IG feed is loaded with Kakko snipes off the pass, off the rush, from the slot etc, and all as a 17-year-old draft prospect in an elite league.

They might think Kakko’s shot isn’t much, but I’d bet a pretty penny that every Liiga goalie would disagree.

I mean, with Kakko, it’s kind of tough to find any glaring weakness. But I don’t think saying his shot is something that could get better is the same as saying he’s not a great goal scorer

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Valiquette called them generational, not I. They quoted his comments from the video with Hahn.

 

[McRanger]

Just going through a couple of draft threads, Hossa and Rantanen are the names that pop up the most.

I'm not good with comparables to make my own judgement here.

I haven't seen that comparison but oddly enough that was the one that popped into my mind, though Hossa was never scouted as being a tank, or at least I dont remember that.

I do remember reading he was a black hole defensively, which is funny considering how his career turned out.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

What other players (besides Finns) does Kakko remind you of? The speed of his hands and processing is dizzying, and he is literally a tank.

Foppa

 

[Ukkosenjumala]

What other players (besides Finns) does Kakko remind you of? The speed of his hands and processing is dizzying, and he is literally a tank.

Forsberg has been thrown around a lot, especially by finns who watch him, finnish commentators, analysts and some players. There's some problems with that comparison but I think the comparisons are there because of how much of a dog Kakko is when it comes to getting in positions to score and how physical he is for a kid.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

I mean, with Kakko, it’s kind of tough to find any glaring weakness. But I don’t think saying his shot is something that could get better is the same as saying he’s not a great goal scorer

Well it should be implied that every area of his game will get better with age and experience.

Again, I vehemently disagree with the idea that Kakko’s shot is weak or average or needs improvement. Vehemently, and I have plenty of video evidence to support that.

The damn coach called his release “superior” and I agree — puck is off his stick in a blink of an eye, even on his off-wing.

You can’t have an average or below-average shot with a superior release.

 

[haveandare]

He is a wing.

Can we stop forcing guys who are not centers into the center position?

Weren’t Aho and Pettersson too?

Not saying he can be a center but this is a tbing that’s been occurring around the league and with some incredible successes.

 

[aufheben]

Just going through a couple of draft threads, Hossa and Rantanen are the names that pop up the most.

I'm not good with comparables to make my own judgement here.

-__-

 

[Fugazy]

What other players (besides Finns) does Kakko remind you of? The speed of his hands and processing is dizzying, and he is literally a tank.

I like the prime Marian Hossa comparison.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Well it should be implied that every area of his game will get better with age and experience.

Again, I vehemently disagree with the idea that Kakko’s shot is weak or average or needs improvement. Vehemently, and I have plenty of video evidence to support that.

The damn coach called his release “superior” and I agree — puck is off his stick in a blink of an eye, even on his off-wing.

You can’t have an average or below-average shot with a superior release.

If his shot is a 7 and everything else is an 8 or higher, his shot is his weakest asset despite it still being good.

 

[haveandare]

What other players (besides Finns) does Kakko remind you of? The speed of his hands and processing is dizzying, and he is literally a tank.

Nash jumps out at me. Young Nash had insane hands.

 

[NYR Viper]

The way he moves with his size and strength along with his feel for the game is Hossa for me

 

[The Crypto Guy]

If his shot is a 7 and everything else is an 8 or higher, his shot is his weakest asset despite it still being good.

If anything is a “weakness” id say it was his top speed. Shot is well above average and in the best in the draft class. Shouldnt be a 7. Should he right up there with the rest of his strengths

 

[SnowblindNYR]

What other players (besides Finns) does Kakko remind you of? The speed of his hands and processing is dizzying, and he is literally a tank.

I'd be concerned if he were literally a tank.

 

[Lays]

Well it should be implied that every area of his game will get better with age and experience.

Again, I vehemently disagree with the idea that Kakko’s shot is weak or average or needs improvement. Vehemently, and I have plenty of video evidence to support that.

The damn coach called his release “superior” and I agree — puck is off his stick in a blink of an eye, even on his off-wing.

You can’t have an average or below-average shot with a superior release.

Kravtsov has a great release on his shot but it’s still lacking
Kakko’s shot doesn’t have the velocity or power behind it yet. He just has the quick release paired with great shot selection

People can’t seem to understand this isn’t even a bad thing or an area of concern. It’s a good shot, not great

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Foppa

Faapo Foppa

 

[LORDE]

I'd be concerned if he were literally a tank.

Take it to the tank thread PLZ

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Foppa strictly from a stylistic standpoint.

 

[mas0764]

Then it looks like it’s 3 wingers... Chytil doesn’t not look like a center

Gonna have to hope that Andersson becomes that "plus" second line center. Zibanejad at 1C, Howden at 3C.

Wingers are Chytil, Kravtsov, Kakko, Buchnevich, then take your pick for the rest.... Kreider? Panarin? Strome? Vesey? Fast? Lemieux?

 

[Ghost of jas]

Gonna have to hope that Andersson becomes that "plus" second line center. Zibanejad at 1C, Howden at 3C.

Wingers are Chytil, Kravtsov, Kakko, Buchnevich, then take your pick for the rest.... Kreider? Panarin? Strome? Vesey? Fast? Lemieux?

You have two more drafts to get yourself a high end center.

 

[aufheben]

Foppa

Forsberg has been thrown around a lot, especially by finns who watch him, finnish commentators, analysts and some players. There's some problems with that comparison but I think the comparisons are there because of how much of a dog Kakko is when it comes to getting in positions to score and how physical he is for a kid.

Foppa strictly from a stylistic standpoint.

Foppdoggy, now that’s an interesting one...

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Kravtsov has a great release on his shot but it’s still lacking
Kakko’s shot doesn’t have the velocity or power behind it yet. He just has the quick release paired with great shot selection

People can’t seem to understand this isn’t even a bad thing or an area of concern. It’s a good shot, not great

I think people are just a bit confused how a guy who is almost unanimously ranked as being one of the best goal scorers in this draft by scouts can have posters saying his shot as one of the things he needs to improve on or is weak.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I think people are just a bit confused how a guy who is almost unanimously ranked as being one of the best goal scorers in this draft can have posters saying his shot as one of the things he needs to improve on or is weak.

There are more ways to score goals than by just sheer power.

I personally am of the opinion that his shot is better than @Lays says it is, but at the same time it isn't an OV or Liane shot.

If he had a shot like that he would be a sure fire #1OA.