Player Discussion Kaapo Kakko: Part IV

[ecemleafs]

his agility and puck control for a player his size is amazing. hes going to be an absolute monster in the offensive zone when hes in his prime.

 

[bl02]

Really appreciate his overall game improving but next year if he puts up only 12-15 goals and 25-30 points do we begin to worry a bit? Hope next year he adds additional strength and desire to consistently go the dirty areas to score.

 

[IDvsEGO]

Really appreciate his overall game improving but next year if he puts up only 12-15 goals and 25-30 points do we begin to worry a bit? Hope next year he adds additional strength and desire to consistently go the dirty areas to score.

Id rather not look at straight goals and points, but p/60 and g/60 at both 5v5 and pp.
If he’s relegated to the third line, and out performing at least one other right wing, I’d say it’s a Quinn issue than a Kakko issue.

 

[molotce]

Yeah if we just gave him more than 11-13min a night next year with some better pp time he’d already be above that. no positive improvements physically or skill wise being taken into account yet, its a little bit like laf being put on the first line, he now just gets better opportunities

 

[hellstick]

So how do you get him more ice when Buchnevich is playing well and Kravtsov is also vying for more opportunity? You can ask that question on LW with Panarin, Kreider, and Lafreniere as well. Sometimes there just isn't enough room for everyone.

It's a good problem to have, but eventually these young guys need to be put in situations to succeed.

 

[New York RKY]

So how do you get him more ice when Buchnevich is playing well and Kravtsov is also vying for more opportunity? You can ask that question on LW with Panarin, Kreider, and Lafreniere as well. Sometimes there just isn't enough room for everyone.

It's a good problem to have, but eventually these young guys need to be put in situations to succeed.

Buch isn’t going to be here much longer.

 

[LOFIN]

So how do you get him more ice when Buchnevich is playing well and Kravtsov is also vying for more opportunity? You can ask that question on LW with Panarin, Kreider, and Lafreniere as well. Sometimes there just isn't enough room for everyone.

It's a good problem to have, but eventually these young guys need to be put in situations to succeed.

That's up for the FO to resolve, this logjam with wingers. Realistically we have to move at least one of Panarin, Laf, Kreider, Kakko, Kravtsov, Buch. Maybe two. Buch is the easiest to move right now, and I'd be surprised if he's here next season.

 

[IDvsEGO]

So how do you get him more ice when Buchnevich is playing well and Kravtsov is also vying for more opportunity? You can ask that question on LW with Panarin, Kreider, and Lafreniere as well. Sometimes there just isn't enough room for everyone.

It's a good problem to have, but eventually these young guys need to be put in situations to succeed.

That’s an easy answer. You move buch for the right young prospect or pick.
It frees up cap space, and elevates Kakko who’s shown he’s ready for top line ice time.

 

[Scott r]

Really appreciate his overall game improving but next year if he puts up only 12-15 goals and 25-30 points do we begin to worry a bit? Hope next year he adds additional strength and desire to consistently go the dirty areas to score.

Yes he won't be a star. He will be back in Europe..russia..wherever in a few years

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Yes he won't be a star. He will be back in Europe..russia..wherever in a few years

lmao, thanks for this great take!

 

[DutchNYR]

Yes he won't be a star. He will be back in Europe..russia..wherever in a few years

Culturally, Russia kind of is European.

 

[Kaapo Hollweg]

Yes he won't be a star. He will be back in Europe..russia..wherever in a few years

Has he reached his ceiling of Ryan Hollweg though?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

 

[17futurecap]

Said in the GDT, but hope he plays for Finland in a few weeks so we can keep watching him.

 

[LionsHeart]

Watching Kakko emerge has a dominant 2 way player has been a pleasure. I think his scoring will take off next year.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Said in the GDT, but hope he plays for Finland in a few weeks so we can keep watching him.

Our season ends on the 9th, World Championships start the 21st. He has to quarantine for 2 weeks. I don't think he will be ready in time to play for them.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Such a beautiful goal

 

[duhmetreE]

 

[MysticLeviathan]

Watching Kakko emerge has a dominant 2 way player has been a pleasure. I think his scoring will take off next year.

I sure as hell hope so

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Ik people didn't like them together on the Kid line but I think they do compliment each other well, they just need the correct center

 

[Doctyl]

Ik people didn't like them together on the Kid line but I think they do compliment each other well, they just need the correct center

I thought Kakko was carrying that line most of the time he was on it. I definitely prefer Laf with vets and Kakko with Kreider and Fil.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

He's an absolute 2-way beast already. That goal tonight is definitely one I will remember from this season.

Gorton and JD need to give Jagr a bag of cash to have Kakko skate 8 hrs a day with him wearing a weighted vest, skate, and stick all summer.

 

[MysticLeviathan]

I’ll be shocked if he gets any votes, but it’s kinda crazy to see the improvement he’s made in a single season. He can be one of the top two way forwards in the league.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I’ll be shocked if he gets any votes, but it’s kinda crazy to see the improvement he’s made in a single season. He can be one of the top two way forwards in the league.

It's literally incredible he went from one of the biggest liabilities on the ice last season, to one of the best defensive players on the ice. This kid is going to have a massive breakout season next year, and it's not impossible for Laf to have one as well. It will be great for both of them to get in a real offseason of training before the next season.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

It's literally incredible he went from one of the biggest liabilities on the ice last season, to one of the best defensive players on the ice. This kid is going to have a massive breakout season next year, and it's not impossible for Laf to have one as well. It will be great for both of them to get in a real offseason of training before the next season.

What will be interesting to see is if Kakko is allowed to stay in the US and spend some time practicing with Kreider and the other kids up in Connecticut.

Last December, Kreider invited Barron, Robertson, Miller, Lafrenière, Rueschhoff and Khodorenko over to practice with him and Ben Prentiss and it would have been great for Kakko to spend some time with teammates as well but with the pandemic still raging, I expect him to go back to Finland assuming his temp permit doesn't carry over into the off season