Didn't Lindgren have something similar with/without him in the line up? Either way, Kakko helps balance out not just his line, but everyone elses. Could be why we see the greater good of him being where he is. He is defensively solid.
MVP
LOL
All jokes aside, I agree and I said it before he came back. He settles down the team defensively.
While I keep posting these stats it is worth noting that the team was really executing the system well as a whole early on, so it wasn't only Kakko.
I think its a bit of a timing thing but there is definitely an affect he provides in that way considering he is now in the top 6. The drop-off to Wheeler all around the rink is a big one