When do you start to worry about Kakko & Laffy?

[Machinehead]

Karkkov?

Bakko

 

[DialUp]

A player like Barkov would put the Rangers in the top 3 or 4 teams in the East NEXT YEAR if we had him, even if that means subtracting either Kakko or Laf and Buch/Krav to get him. He is Kopitar level.

 

[Edge]

I still don't get this. Goal differential-wise they're far closer to the teams you mentioned other than the Islanders. Why is that not important to look at? I feel everyone is just looking to trash the team. And yes I'm aware I trash Shesterkin and used to Lundqvist after painful losses but the Rangers' goal differential is very solid and I think that's significant.

I think when the fawcet runs, it runs wild. We’re plus 15 right now, but we’re also coming off a stretch where we outscored Philly 17 to 3.

But to your point I think we’ve been better in the second full month of the season.

 

[Synergy27]

I think when the fawcet runs, it runs wild. We’re plus 15 right now, but we’re also coming off a stretch where we outscored Philly 17 to 3.

But to your point I think we’ve been better in the second full month of the season.

They also lost every game by one goal for the first month of the season. The goal differential stat is useful but context matters a whole lot.

The Rangers are a pretty good team. If Kakko and Laf become what they are supposed to be before Zib and Panarin decline, they will be a very, very good team.

It sucks that we have to worry about whether or not that will happen but nothing comes easy for this franchise.

 

[Edge]

They also lost every game by one goal for the first month of the season. The goal differential stat is useful but context matters a whole lot.

The Rangers are a pretty good team. If Kakko and Laf become what they are supposed to be before Zib and Panarin decline, they will be a very, very good team.

It sucks that we have to worry about whether or not that will happen but nothing comes easy for this franchise.

I think the Rangers have the potential to become a good team. I don’t think they’re a terribly good team right now. I believed before the season they were a transition team and I’ve seen little to move me from that stance. How quickly that comes, as well as other elements, including good fortune, was always the difference for me between picking 10th in the draft and making the playoffs.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I think when the fawcet runs, it runs wild. We’re plus 15 right now, but we’re also coming off a stretch where we outscored Philly 17 to 3.

But to your point I think we’ve been better in the second full month of the season.

But every good team has blowout wins. You're not taking those away for the other teams.

 

[Synergy27]

I think the Rangers have the potential to become a good team. I don’t think they’re a terribly good team right now. I believed before the season they were a transition team and I’ve seen little to move me from that stance. How quickly that comes, as well as other elements, including good fortune, was always the difference for me between picking 10th in the draft and making the playoffs.

Yep, I think they are “pretty good”. Probably better than their record indicates. A couple of players away from truly contending, but those players might already be in the organization.

They might even end up being really good even if Kakko and Laf don’t pan out if Kravtsov ends up being an impact player and Lundkvist is as advertised.

There is still a lot to look forward to. This seemed like a year to look forward to in and of itself but that obviously hasn’t been the case.

 

[Synergy27]

I think the Rangers have the potential to become a good team. I don’t think they’re a terribly good team right now. I believed before the season they were a transition team and I’ve seen little to move me from that stance. How quickly that comes, as well as other elements, including good fortune, was always the difference for me between picking 10th in the draft and making the playoffs.

Yep, I think they are “pretty good”. Probably better than their record indicates. A couple of players away from truly contending, but those players might already be in the organization.

They might even end up being really good even if Kakko and Laf don’t pan out if Kravtsov ends up being an impact player and Lundkvist is as advertised.

There is still a lot to look forward to. This seemed like a year to look forward to in and of itself but that obviously hasn’t been the case.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

I'm really excited about the future of this team, i haven't budged off that spot at all. I think we've had a lot of bad luck this season and it's lead to us being outside of the playoffs. I mean Mika was unrecognizable for most of the year, Panarin had his absense, milller lost his momentum to injury, had an injury to our starting goalie, Trouba was hurt, Fil had covid and a lot of that happened at the same time or atleast in succession. On the flip side we have Lafreniere, Kakko, Kravtsov, Lundkvist, Barron, Jones, Schneider etc who haven't even began their careers really. There's a lot to like about our future imo.

 

[will1066]

I'm really excited about the future of this team, i haven't budged off that spot at all. I think we've had a lot of bad luck this season and it's lead to us being outside of the playoffs. I mean Mika was unrecognizable for most of the year, Panarin had his absense, milller lost his momentum to injury, had an injury to our starting goalie, Trouba was hurt, Fil had covid and a lot of that happened at the same time or atleast in succession. On the flip side we have Lafreniere, Kakko, Kravtsov, Lundkvist, Barron, Jones, Schneider etc who haven't even began their careers really. There's a lot to like about our future imo.

Robertson

 

[haohmaru]

Is your radar broken? Lol What kind of radar doesn't keep track of a first-overall pick and a second- overall selection?

The question was "when should we start to worry" about Kakko and LaF. They aren't on my worry radar. My radar would include the entire team, the prospects, the minors, etc... That's pretty freaking obvious, dude.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Karkkov?

And Lafrerdeau

 

[CLW]

The question was "when should we start to worry" about Kakko and LaF. They aren't on my worry radar. My radar would include the entire team, the prospects, the minors, etc... That's pretty freaking obvious, dude.

Kakko and Laf will be great players in a few years (D+ 3/4, ie "soon"), not worried. I am, however, questioning the basic blue print/vision of the organization and the kind of team they are looking to create.

I am not sure Kakko and Laf and some of the other young players are natural fits for Quinn style hockey. That does not mean they won't be good, but will they be "choked" to some degree in order to fit in? Personally I feel Kakko and Laf style wise naturally would be better fits on more dynamic teams like Colorado, Florida, Carolina e.g. than say Philly, Boston or Calgary.

Someone mentioned that there is a "conservative" streak in the NYR organization. I look at some other teams trying to push the envelope a bit to be more cutting edge, and I wonder if the NYR will be behind the curve down the road.

 

[Blueshirts777]

I would say, maybe disappointed or frustrated, but not worried.

Just feeding off what @Machinehead said for a second. Let's even assume they don't become Franchise players. Just for the sake of conversation.

Is it still okay if they're posting 80 and 70 points each instead of 100 and 90?

I mean what if they aren't MacKinnon or Matthews?

What if they're "only" Zibanejad and Panarin? Or only Barkov and Huberdeau?

Even if they don't become "franchise" players, I feel there's a hell of lot of great outcomes between "best results" and "bad results".

I get your point but I think we're splitting hairs by not considering Barkov and Panarin as franchise players. And I think most on here would sign up right now for that ceiling, especially for Kakko.

 

[will1066]

The question was "when should we start to worry" about Kakko and LaF. They aren't on my worry radar. My radar would include the entire team, the prospects, the minors, etc... That's pretty freaking obvious, dude.

Sorry my haohmaru radar was off.

 

[Inferno]

Ill be blunt


If you're worried about kakko right now, you're a moron. Period.
He's doing everything exceptionally well with the exception being that final play. When to shoot and when to pass it after he's found the high danger area. He's passed when he should shoot and shot when he should pass.

He's dominating along the board. He's rolling off of checks. He's controlling the puck and making plays. He's disrupting passes and stealing pucks. He's dumping when there's no play and making the smart play instead of trying to go through people and turning it over. He's making everyone around him better. He's been noticably good for just about every minute of every game. The underlying numbers show it and the eye test show it.

Last year he had trouble getting from a to b. Right now he's getting from a to x...he just needs to get to y and z and then he's going to be an absolute monster out there.

Lafreniere...as I discussed with some friends a few days ago, definitely doesn't seem to be processing the game at the right speed yet and it's causing him to look lost on the ice. There are flashes of brilliance though.

Im not even remotely worried.

 

[duhmetreE]

They also lost every game by one goal for the first month of the season. The goal differential stat is useful but context matters a whole lot.

The Rangers are a pretty good team. If Kakko and Laf become what they are supposed to be before Zib and Panarin decline, they will be a very, very good team.

It sucks that we have to worry about whether or not that will happen but nothing comes easy for this franchise.

We're not a pretty good team, we're average at best. High highs and low lows, this year has been trending towards the lows.. We can be world beaters any game, and we can look like Buffalo the next.

Everyone has their reasons as to why... I just want to see this team with another head coach.

 

[CupSeeker]

Ill be blunt


If you're worried about kakko right now, you're a moron. Period.
He's doing everything exceptionally well with the exception being that final play. When to shoot and when to pass it after he's found the high danger area. He's passed when he should shoot and shot when he should pass.

He's dominating along the board. He's rolling off of checks. He's controlling the puck and making plays. He's disrupting passes and stealing pucks. He's dumping when there's no play and making the smart play instead of trying to go through people and turning it over. He's making everyone around him better. He's been noticably good for just about every minute of every game. The underlying numbers show it and the eye test show it.

Last year he had trouble getting from a to b. Right now he's getting from a to x...he just needs to get to y and z and then he's going to be an absolute monster out there.

Lafreniere...as I discussed with some friends a few days ago, definitely doesn't seem to be processing the game at the right speed yet and it's causing him to look lost on the ice. There are flashes of brilliance though.

Im not even remotely worried.

Amen brother.

 

[CupSeeker]

We're not a pretty good team, we're average at best. High highs and low lows, this year has been trending towards the lows.. We can be world beaters any game, and we can look like Buffalo the next.

Everyone has their reasons as to why... I just want to see this team with another head coach.

Most of the pieces are in place with a few key ones on the horizon. This year was always about development and progress. If not, we wouldn't have allowed so much dead cap space. Next year is where the party starts. If we are not a playoff team with a clear path to contending next year, I will be concerned and very disappointed.

 

[Calad]

Ill be blunt


If you're worried about kakko right now, you're a moron. Period.
He's doing everything exceptionally well with the exception being that final play. When to shoot and when to pass it after he's found the high danger area. He's passed when he should shoot and shot when he should pass.

He's dominating along the board. He's rolling off of checks. He's controlling the puck and making plays. He's disrupting passes and stealing pucks. He's dumping when there's no play and making the smart play instead of trying to go through people and turning it over. He's making everyone around him better. He's been noticably good for just about every minute of every game. The underlying numbers show it and the eye test show it.

Last year he had trouble getting from a to b. Right now he's getting from a to x...he just needs to get to y and z and then he's going to be an absolute monster out there.

Lafreniere...as I discussed with some friends a few days ago, definitely doesn't seem to be processing the game at the right speed yet and it's causing him to look lost on the ice. There are flashes of brilliance though.

Im not even remotely worried.

Kakko's play without the puck this year has been incredible. He's been taking direction from the coaches about how important defense and playing correctly without the puck and made huge strides.

Laf is getting the same directive, the problem for him is for a few years he's been the guy. He always had the puck on his stick and the game revolved around him. Here in the NHL the game has changed and hes no longer the focal point, which I think is a big part of why he looks lost.

As JD has preached.. patience. The results will come.

 

[cwede]

I'll be blunt. If you're worried about Kakko right now, you're a moron. Period.
He's doing everything exceptionally well with the exception being that final play. When to shoot and when to pass it after he's found the high danger area. He's passed when he should shoot and shot when he should pass.
He's dominating along the board. He's rolling off of checks. He's controlling the puck and making plays. He's disrupting passes and stealing pucks. He's dumping when there's no play and making the smart play instead of trying to go through people and turning it over. He's making everyone around him better. He's been noticably good for just about every minute of every game. The underlying numbers show it and the eye test show it.
Last year he had trouble getting from a to b. Right now he's getting from a to x...he just needs to get to y and z and then he's going to be an absolute monster out there.
Lafreniere...as I discussed with some friends a few days ago, definitely doesn't seem to be processing the game at the right speed yet and it's causing him to look lost on the ice. There are flashes of brilliance though.
I'm not even remotely worried.

I agree with this

especially this re Kakk:"He's doing everything exceptionally well with the exception being that final play. When to shoot and when to pass it after he's found the high danger area. He's passed when he should shoot and shot when he should pass."
The overall skill and savvy of the average opponent in the NHL is the best in the world. Plays that worked in College/Junior/Liiga won't work if not near-perfectly executed.

Think of Kevin Hayes
His first 2 seasons, I found myself screaming at the TV (or ice) because he tried too often to pass through traffic, or stick-handle through traffic.
~His 3rd season his decisions became smarter and more effective.
His last 2 NYR season he was a beast. (damn Cap!)

These guys are gonna be fine
It don't bother me at all, that during these early years, they don't remind me of Jeff Skinner

 

[Larrybiv]

When I am 65 and they each do not have 65 NHL goals.
I am 60.

 

[Larrybiv]

I do not buy that anyone is not at least concerned. Doesn't mean they think they will be busts. Just means they hoped for more at this point and now wonder how high their ceilings will be in the future. I'm always an optimistic guy but I'm concerned. You expect perennial all star players drafted at #1 and #2. The Rangers are not likely to draft that high again for decades.

Not again in my lifetime. Hey Nicky! Where ya' been?

 

[kovazub94]

I do not buy that anyone is not at least concerned. Doesn't mean they think they will be busts. Just means they hoped for more at this point and now wonder how high their ceilings will be in the future. I'm always an optimistic guy but I'm concerned. You expect perennial all star players drafted at #1 and #2. The Rangers are not likely to draft that high again for decades.

There’s a difference between being disappointed with the current year’s production and being concerned / worried about long-term perspective.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Not again in my lifetime. Hey Nicky! Where ya' been?

Hey buddy. You are a young man so maybe they will! Hope you are doing well!