living in a foreign country, a long way from Finland, and playing a very long schedule in a league with grown men. He has tremendous upside and by 22, if he avoids serious injury,
he will be an elite player. Not a "Panarin" type of elite, but not a very solid top six player IMHO.
That is a big jump for the kid.....great learning experience
Is 18, honestly, he should be a lot better next year, but he needs to gain weight, hit the weights, and improve his skating, the other things will come, but for him to be great, he will need to work his ass off.
living in a foreign country, a long way from Finland, and playing a very long schedule in a league with grown men. He has tremendous upside and by 22, if he avoids serious injury,
he will be an elite player. Not a "Panarin" type of elite, but not a very solid top six player IMHO.
He is clearly struggling with the mental aspect of the game. With some greatly talented players it clicks day 1. With others it takes time. I'm not worried. If you see the same thing year 2 (without strong signs of improvement) that will be more cause for concern.
Hughes , Kakko and Dach are all having similar seasons
top 3 picks from this year's draft.
all 3 are really talented and it shows how hard it is for 18 and 19 year olds to step into the big league
Maker from the Ava's probably wins rookie of year and is 21 drafted in 17' not too many come in at 18 ready.
age, League adjustment, very distant from his home support, no other Fins on the team.
What has not been mentioned--and what I see pretty much game in and game out--is that his default reaction to a set-up is to defer to teammates, by passing, by not taking attacking route to net: he's had multiple 'opportunities' to shoot on goal from decent angles, distance, and traffic in front, but he defers. Part of his age and state of maturation.
He was saddled with awful linemates for a long time
used a season in Hartford. He's a kid playing against men. He is easily out muscled and he doesn't get away with the dekes that he scored with against lesser defensemen in Europe.
I expect to see improvement next season after a good off-season training program.
will or will not meet expectations, but it's not unheard of for highly regarded rookies (especially those taken at the very top of the draft) to come in and put up numbers right away.
Most 18 yr olds take awhile. His transition from Finland is massive. As Davison pointed out, he is fundamentally sound, especially in his own zone. They could use more line him. I still see no reason he can’t become a star. He will grow, improve his skating, become stronger, and become more assertive.
will or will not meet expectations, but it's not unheard of for highly regarded rookies (especially those taken at the very top of the draft) to come in and put up numbers right away.
Am I correct that Doing so at 18 kind of is unheard or no? How old was Gretzky, Cindy, Mario or Lindros, to name a few?
Just checked the great one’s stat page, my god was he absurd... at 18 and in the WHA he scored 110 pts. At 19 with the oilers he put up 137... lol.
Every time I look at Gretzky’s numbers I laugh. If you stripped him of every goal he’s still absurd.
of comparing Kakko to Gretzky (best 18 year old season ever) or Crosby (3rd best 18 year old season ever) or Lemieux (not in the NHL at 18) it's probably better to compare his 18 year old season to some other players who he projects to be comparable to like fellow fins Barkov, Kotkaniemi, and Aho.
Barkov = 24 points (Kakko should beat this)
Kotkaniemi = 34 points (sent down to AHL year 2 - 2nd best Finnish 18 year old season ever to Laine)
Aho = not in the NHL at 18
Since 2000 there have been just 20 players to total 32 points or more in their 18-year old season. So, basically, one per year.
Kakko is just off that pace, so even if you're down b/c of his point production, he's still producing at a solid pace for an 18 year old.
Plus, more importantly, he's gaining valuable experience. More valuable than playing against slugs in the AHL.
will or will not meet expectations, but it's not unheard of for highly regarded rookies (especially those taken at the very top of the draft) to come in and put up numbers right away.
Am I correct that Doing so at 18 kind of is unheard or no? How old was Gretzky, Cindy, Mario or Lindros, to name a few?
Just checked the great one’s stat page, my god was he absurd... at 18 and in the WHA he scored 110 pts. At 19 with the oilers he put up 137... lol.
Every time I look at Gretzky’s numbers I laugh. If you stripped him of every goal he’s still absurd.
For all the numbers, he is still not Bobby Orr. As for Crosby, he has been one of the two or three best players in the World for almost 15 years; so to call him Cindy is not only rude; it's ignorant.
In comment 14816895 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:
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In comment 14816734 djm said:
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In comment 14816710 Enzo said:
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will or will not meet expectations, but it's not unheard of for highly regarded rookies (especially those taken at the very top of the draft) to come in and put up numbers right away.
Am I correct that Doing so at 18 kind of is unheard or no? How old was Gretzky, Cindy, Mario or Lindros, to name a few?
Just checked the great one’s stat page, my god was he absurd... at 18 and in the WHA he scored 110 pts. At 19 with the oilers he put up 137... lol.
Every time I look at Gretzky’s numbers I laugh. If you stripped him of every goal he’s still absurd.
For all the numbers, he is still not Bobby Orr. As for Crosby, he has been one of the two or three best players in the World for almost 15 years; so to call him Cindy is not only rude; it's ignorant.
Most 18 yr olds take awhile. His transition from Finland is massive. As Davison pointed out, he is fundamentally sound, especially in his own zone. They could use more line him. I still see no reason he can’t become a star. He will grow, improve his skating, become stronger, and become more assertive.
Davison don't what he's talking about. I liked that Davisian guy a lot better.
In comment 14816895 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:
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As for Crosby, he has been one of the two or three best players in the World for almost 15 years; so to call him Cindy is not only rude; it's ignorant.
I go with Sydnee myself. It has nothing to do with his ability - no one disputes how great a player he is. It has to do with the fact that he's a whining, crying cunt on the ice. Always has been, always will be.
he will be an elite player. Not a "Panarin" type of elite, but not a very solid top six player IMHO.
Probably will have a big jump next year
The Rangers are an original 6 team, so they obviously have a lengthy history, so hopefully that shows some perspective.
I know fans have expectations for high draft picks, but patience is really important with kids at this level, and they are kids.
he will be an elite player. Not a "Panarin" type of elite, but not a very solid top six player IMHO.
He is clearly struggling with the mental aspect of the game. With some greatly talented players it clicks day 1. With others it takes time. I'm not worried. If you see the same thing year 2 (without strong signs of improvement) that will be more cause for concern.
Kakko- 8g 12a 20 points 19 years old
Dach- 8g 11a 19 points 19 years old.
top 3 picks from this year's draft.
all 3 are really talented and it shows how hard it is for 18 and 19 year olds to step into the big league
Maker from the Ava's probably wins rookie of year and is 21 drafted in 17' not too many come in at 18 ready.
...did the Rangers rush Kaapo Kakko too quickly? Should he have played a season in the minors?
What has not been mentioned--and what I see pretty much game in and game out--is that his default reaction to a set-up is to defer to teammates, by passing, by not taking attacking route to net: he's had multiple 'opportunities' to shoot on goal from decent angles, distance, and traffic in front, but he defers. Part of his age and state of maturation.
I expect to see improvement next season after a good off-season training program.
He is still thinking out there instead of just playing. The light will come on
And, yes, Rangers are making the playoffs. Shesterkin 9-1
Am I correct that Doing so at 18 kind of is unheard or no? How old was Gretzky, Cindy, Mario or Lindros, to name a few?
Just checked the great one’s stat page, my god was he absurd... at 18 and in the WHA he scored 110 pts. At 19 with the oilers he put up 137... lol.
Every time I look at Gretzky’s numbers I laugh. If you stripped him of every goal he’s still absurd.
Hopefully Kap just needs more time. At least he doesn’t stand out in a bad way. He’s out there competing...
Barkov = 24 points (Kakko should beat this)
Kotkaniemi = 34 points (sent down to AHL year 2 - 2nd best Finnish 18 year old season ever to Laine)
Aho = not in the NHL at 18
Since 2000 there have been just 20 players to total 32 points or more in their 18-year old season. So, basically, one per year.
Kakko is just off that pace, so even if you're down b/c of his point production, he's still producing at a solid pace for an 18 year old.
Plus, more importantly, he's gaining valuable experience. More valuable than playing against slugs in the AHL.
Kaapo is a boy from Europe playing in the best men's league in the world in North America.
Whoever posted above about him deferring to teammates, looking to pass instead of shoot etc. is 100% correct.
Let's see where he is at 21 years old.
Most kids his age are still playing in prep school or the USHL. Most college hockey players don't start college until they are 19 or 20.
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will or will not meet expectations, but it's not unheard of for highly regarded rookies (especially those taken at the very top of the draft) to come in and put up numbers right away.
Am I correct that Doing so at 18 kind of is unheard or no? How old was Gretzky, Cindy, Mario or Lindros, to name a few?
Just checked the great one’s stat page, my god was he absurd... at 18 and in the WHA he scored 110 pts. At 19 with the oilers he put up 137... lol.
Every time I look at Gretzky’s numbers I laugh. If you stripped him of every goal he’s still absurd.
For all the numbers, he is still not Bobby Orr. As for Crosby, he has been one of the two or three best players in the World for almost 15 years; so to call him Cindy is not only rude; it's ignorant.
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In comment 14816710 Enzo said:
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will or will not meet expectations, but it's not unheard of for highly regarded rookies (especially those taken at the very top of the draft) to come in and put up numbers right away.
Am I correct that Doing so at 18 kind of is unheard or no? How old was Gretzky, Cindy, Mario or Lindros, to name a few?
Just checked the great one’s stat page, my god was he absurd... at 18 and in the WHA he scored 110 pts. At 19 with the oilers he put up 137... lol.
Every time I look at Gretzky’s numbers I laugh. If you stripped him of every goal he’s still absurd.
For all the numbers, he is still not Bobby Orr. As for Crosby, he has been one of the two or three best players in the World for almost 15 years; so to call him Cindy is not only rude; it's ignorant.
exactly the same, statistically
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Freshman on a college team trying to find their way. He is figuring out playing in the best league in the world. Nothing but up.
Most kids his age are still playing in prep school or the USHL. Most college hockey players don't start college until they are 19 or 20.
and that's why most (all) kids his age weren't the #2 pick... so goes both ways there a bit
I go with Sydnee myself. It has nothing to do with his ability - no one disputes how great a player he is. It has to do with the fact that he's a whining, crying cunt on the ice. Always has been, always will be.
His numbers are almost identical. It's kind of eerie, really, how close they are.