Prospect Info: With the #109 pick, the Wild select Kaapo Kahkonen

[Bruce Granville]

He and Stalock together would be quite the scoring threat from the back end.

Kaapo would beat Brodin for sure.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

So what's his deal? We lose his rights sometime soon?

 

[ThatGuy22]

So what's his deal? We lose his rights sometime soon?

Yep, This is our last year with his rights.

 

[MoeTheHobo]

Had a good season, 56 GP, 2,20 GAA, .922 SVS% in Liiga
Will he get a contract? The Wild isn't overflowing with goalie prospects

 

[Binister]

Had a good season, 56 GP, 2,20 GAA, .922 SVS% in Liiga
Will he get a contract? The Wild isn't overflowing with goalie prospects

Wild would make look fool of themselves if they messed this chance. The prospect pool isn't that good that there is actually an option to pass this. Duby isn't getting any younger and Stalock won't be 1G even if the goal was resized smaller.

 

[Wabit]

How much does KK make playing for Liiga? On a standard ELC he'd make $70k/yr + maybe ~90k signing bonus in the AHL? In the NHL he would make ~$1m on his ELC.

Wild could offer him a contract, but without a NHL guarantee, and depending on the money; it might be smarter for him to not sign it and become a FA.

 

[MoeTheHobo]

How much does KK make playing for Liiga?

My guess is about 50 000€ - 120 000€
P.S Liiga is the Finnish elite league, Lukko is his org

 

[thefutures]

Anybody keepin an eye on him? If so hows he lookin, nhl material?

 

[absolute garbage]

No idea what's going on in Iowa, but he has barely played. They seem to be very invested in this 30 year old AHL journeyman Hammond instead of the possible goalie of the future. There was a case a week or two ago when Hammond let in 5 goals on 55 shots on the first half of back to back and then, instead of giving the next game to Kaapo and Hammond the rest after a very busy game, they played him the following night too. Bizarre to say the least.

His stats are great. 3 games played, 4 goals allowed with .953 save%. Had a shutout in his last game. With the way he's playing he'll probably see more action going forward but the handling of this situation has not been very encouraging, and you have to expect that when he eventually struggles for a game or two he is going back to riding the pine.

 

[EXTRAS]

This kid could be gold.

 

[57special]

I think he and Stalock should man the point on PP2.

BTW, his stats are nutz. Surely he's got to play more? Under 1.0 GAA, and .962 Sv.%

 

[AJ Thelen]

I think he and Stalock should man the point on PP2.

BTW, his stats are nutz. Surely he's got to play more? Under 1.0 GAA, and .962 Sv.%

f***ing hope so!

 

[DANOZ28]

makes no sense kaapo is a benchwarmer.

 

[DeagleJenkins]

is there something in a contract or money wise that helps this make sense?

 

[2Pair]

I would say that whatever they are doing, it's working.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

4 year plan: AHL backup to AHL starter to NHL backup to NHL starter (right when Dubnyk's deal is up).

 

[Wabit]

It might sound counter intuitive but he needs to prove that he can be a backup goalie first. The things that separate goalies is their mental game. Playing once a week and being sharp, or coming in cold off the bench if the starter is pulled/injured is a skill.

He's proving he can handle a limited workload now with lots of prep time for his next start. Being the backup means he sees more shots in practice too. He'll get a bigger workload as the season progresses.

Goalies are weird in their development/progression:
- Some can handle backup duties very well, but once they get the bulk of the starts they fall off.
- Some are best as a 50/50 tandem starter, they extra days off keeps them mentally and physically fresher.
- Some need to be every game starters and they get better the more pucks they feel in game situations.

So take them little by little to see what they can handle and keep their confidence high. The fastest way to ruin a goalie is to shatter his confidence by playing him over his head. Give them a chance to have success so they can look back on those games when they hit the rough patches and can't stop a beachball.

 

[57special]

makes no sense kaapo is a benchwarmer.

Maybe he's got a warm butt?

 

[EXTRAS]

.79 gaa and 972 sv % now

3 straight shutouts.

 

[Digitalbooya]

Kahk playing well? Good to hear

 

[AJ Thelen]

34 saves on 37 shots against GRG. (.918%)

Now has 1.35 GAA and .956% in 8 games.

 

[SomethingGeneric]

I always thought he could be a legit prospect based off his numbers in his professional leagues up till the Ahl. Glad to see him doing well. If the Wild could do with him what the Preds have done with Saros he could end up being our answer after Dubs.

 

[AJ Thelen]

Now has 1.45 GAA and .950% in 10 games. Wonder how long he can keep this up.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

 

[BagHead]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure he just stole Hammond's job this month. Sorry Hammond.