Scouting Report

"Multi-tooled winger with size and coordination who incorporates his impressive puck skills with a desirable physical package that consistently exhausts opponents. Kakko was impressive last season as a 16-year-old depth player for TPS, and this year was even better — his 22 goals broke Aleksander Barkov’s SM-Liiga record for first-year draft eligibles. Blessed with incredibly soft hands and tight-quarter quickness, Kakko is a reliable stickhandler who uses timing plays to either get open or create space for his linemates. It’s hard to call a bigger winger elusive, but Kakko’s shiftiness is both rapid and unpredictable — he constantly lures defenders into a compromising position before exploiting the smallest of windows into an unabated path to the goal. He also can serve as a net-front presence on the power play, but also alternates to the far-side circle for a one-timer or backdoor slam dunk.

Kakko is mature, poised and displays high intelligence with or without the puck. He constantly is in motion and uses his strength to win physical battles or get inside positioning on opponents. Kakko uses a variety of moves and fakes to get himself into shooting position, but he doesn’t not require optimal conditions to wire off a blistering, accurate shot that is labeled for the corner or far post. Although he may one day be classified as a power forward, Kakko is more competitive than he is physically intimidating, and his work in corners and in front of the net delivers positive results far more often than a broken play or unforced error. He owns a wide stride and his straight-line speed is above-average for a big winger. But he is agile, well balanced, nimble and he can beat defenders either inside or out. Kappo’s endurance is excellent during the first half of his shifts, but like most larger forwards, he can run out of gas in the middle of a play."

Scouting report

"Skating
Kakko is a very good skater. He has very quick feet giving him a great first step and strong acceleration. He also has great top-end speed and is tough to contain off the rush. The best part of his skating though is his strength and balance. Kakko can use his power to fight through checks and win battles on the board and in front of the net. He shows the excellent ability to protect the puck down low and making plays. He also has very good agility and edgework. This allows him to make quick changes in direction or speed to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. Kakko is able to pair this skating ability with the hands necessary to make plays and control the puck at top speed, which makes him even more dangerous.

Offensive Game
Kakko is a highly skilled winger who can create in a variety of ways. He has the soft hands to stickhandle in a phone booth and can protect the puck and extend plays. His wrist shot is extremely powerful and features a very quick release. He also has an effective one-timer. Kakko uses his soft hands to finish plays in tight. All of this makes him a pure sniper. However, he can also be an effective playmaker. When an opportunity presents itself, he can set up a teammate for a scoring chance. Kakko is a smart player who sees the play developing and makes the smart play. He has very good vision and can find an open teammate in front of the net. His soft hands and quick feet allow him to change angles and beat a defender to create a passing lane.

While Kakko can add some muscle to his frame, he already shows the power to play against men in Finland. He protects the puck well down low and extends plays. He works well at winning battles on the boards as well as establishing his position in front of the net. Kakko adds power to his skilled game, helping him to be effective in all aspects of his offensive game.

Defensive Game
Kakko’s intelligence extends to the defensive end of the ice. He reads the play extremely well and is almost always in the right position. His ability to anticipate what opponents will do allows him to intercept passes and start the transition game. Kakko is committed to supporting the defence down low and fighting hard on the backcheck. He is strong along the boards and in front of the net. Kakko is not afraid and does not back down from his opponents, even when playing against men.

Projection and Comparison
A natural winger, Kakko has spent some time at centre in the Finnish league this season. If he can continue that transition, it would make him even more valuable. That said, even if he stays at right wing, he’s ready for a top-six role in the NHL right now, and projects to grow into an elite forward. Kakko’s game is reminiscent of Aleksander Barkov. However, this is not a talent comparison, but rather a stylistic one."

Please, for all the things holy, let Kakko be good. The Rangers need this.

Scouting Report

"Multi-tooled winger with size and coordination who incorporates his impressive puck skills with a desirable physical package that consistently exhausts opponents. Kakko was impressive last season as a 16-year-old depth player for TPS, and this year was even better — his 22 goals broke Aleksander Barkov’s SM-Liiga record for first-year draft eligibles. Blessed with incredibly soft hands and tight-quarter quickness, Kakko is a reliable stickhandler who uses timing plays to either get open or create space for his linemates. It’s hard to call a bigger winger elusive, but Kakko’s shiftiness is both rapid and unpredictable — he constantly lures defenders into a compromising position before exploiting the smallest of windows into an unabated path to the goal. He also can serve as a net-front presence on the power play, but also alternates to the far-side circle for a one-timer or backdoor slam dunk.

Kakko is mature, poised and displays high intelligence with or without the puck. He constantly is in motion and uses his strength to win physical battles or get inside positioning on opponents. Kakko uses a variety of moves and fakes to get himself into shooting position, but he doesn’t not require optimal conditions to wire off a blistering, accurate shot that is labeled for the corner or far post. Although he may one day be classified as a power forward, Kakko is more competitive than he is physically intimidating, and his work in corners and in front of the net delivers positive results far more often than a broken play or unforced error. He owns a wide stride and his straight-line speed is above-average for a big winger. But he is agile, well balanced, nimble and he can beat defenders either inside or out. Kappo’s endurance is excellent during the first half of his shifts, but like most larger forwards, he can run out of gas in the middle of a play."



- 21peter

Draft can't come soon enough! Sounds like a player Quinn will love.

I think I'd rather have Skinner than Hayes, if it were possible to make Panarin/Skinner happen. It's a long shot, but riding this wave of excitement has my head in the clouds
- Bean_Dip

Go (frank) yourself

Go (frank) yourself
- mdw7413

Go (frank) yourself
- mdw7413

This will never get old. Hayes will be 45 looking to stage a comeback, and you'll still want him on the roster.

This will never get old. Hayes will be 45 looking to stage a comeback, and you'll still want him on the roster.
- Bean_Dip

Now that the Rangers have all the luck. What happens when Tampa wins it and Dallas makes the Western finals and we have 4 1sts haha

Now that the Rangers have all the luck. What happens when Tampa wins it and Dallas makes the Western finals and we have 4 1sts haha
- nyrangers2

We use the other 1sts to trade up to say 5th. Cozens falls to us.

Scouting report

"Skating
Kakko is a very good skater. He has very quick feet giving him a great first step and strong acceleration. He also has great top-end speed and is tough to contain off the rush. The best part of his skating though is his strength and balance. Kakko can use his power to fight through checks and win battles on the board and in front of the net. He shows the excellent ability to protect the puck down low and making plays. He also has very good agility and edgework. This allows him to make quick changes in direction or speed to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. Kakko is able to pair this skating ability with the hands necessary to make plays and control the puck at top speed, which makes him even more dangerous.

Offensive Game
Kakko is a highly skilled winger who can create in a variety of ways. He has the soft hands to stickhandle in a phone booth and can protect the puck and extend plays. His wrist shot is extremely powerful and features a very quick release. He also has an effective one-timer. Kakko uses his soft hands to finish plays in tight. All of this makes him a pure sniper. However, he can also be an effective playmaker. When an opportunity presents itself, he can set up a teammate for a scoring chance. Kakko is a smart player who sees the play developing and makes the smart play. He has very good vision and can find an open teammate in front of the net. His soft hands and quick feet allow him to change angles and beat a defender to create a passing lane.

While Kakko can add some muscle to his frame, he already shows the power to play against men in Finland. He protects the puck well down low and extends plays. He works well at winning battles on the boards as well as establishing his position in front of the net. Kakko adds power to his skilled game, helping him to be effective in all aspects of his offensive game.

Defensive Game
Kakko’s intelligence extends to the defensive end of the ice. He reads the play extremely well and is almost always in the right position. His ability to anticipate what opponents will do allows him to intercept passes and start the transition game. Kakko is committed to supporting the defence down low and fighting hard on the backcheck. He is strong along the boards and in front of the net. Kakko is not afraid and does not back down from his opponents, even when playing against men.

Projection and Comparison
A natural winger, Kakko has spent some time at centre in the Finnish league this season. If he can continue that transition, it would make him even more valuable. That said, even if he stays at right wing, he’s ready for a top-six role in the NHL right now, and projects to grow into an elite forward. Kakko’s game is reminiscent of Aleksander Barkov. However, this is not a talent comparison, but rather a stylistic one."



- 21peter

Thanks Pete. I've read a few things that question his skating a bit, which is why he's not consensus number 1, but there is a lot to like about him. He's at center in a good amount of his highlight clips, so I wonder if they try him there first to see how realistic that is?

We use the other 1sts to trade up to say 5th. Cozens falls to us.
- 2sticks1puck

Why not? We've got the 2nd, so go for it.

Now that the Rangers have all the luck. What happens when Tampa wins it and Dallas makes the Western finals and we have 4 1sts haha
- nyrangers2

We draft Soderstrom, Caufield and Knight. The End!

Please, for all the things holy, let Kakko be good. The Rangers need this.
- tomburton99

Is the hashtag #KrazyforKakko?

Thanks Pete. I've read a few things that question his skating a bit, which is why he's not consensus number 1, but there is a lot to like about him. He's at center in a good amount of his highlight clips, so I wonder if they try him there first to see how realistic that is?
- WineryDog

Get Barbara Underhill back to New York

Now that the Rangers have all the luck. What happens when Tampa wins it and Dallas makes the Western finals and we have 4 1sts haha
- nyrangers2

We Draft Tomasino, Brink and Korczak.

Get Barbara Underhill back to New York
- airjan23

She the coach that Boyle went to?

- mdw7413

Let it be noted I want Hayes back if they can trade Vesey and Nam.

We draft Soderstrom, Caufield and Knight. The End!
- WineryDog

Soderstrom a little redundant with Lundkvist?

Thanks Pete. I've read a few things that question his skating a bit, which is why he's not consensus number 1, but there is a lot to like about him. He's at center in a good amount of his highlight clips, so I wonder if they try him there first to see how realistic that is?
- WineryDog

He was on the win in the WJC and kept up with the pace of play there. He'll be fine.

Get Barbara Underhill back to New York
- airjan23

Good call. It's amazing that a $1.3 billion franchise doesn't spend money on things like minor league goalie coaches, gps/tracking software, skating coaches, teams of anaylysts, etc. They should be leading the league in soft money categories up and down their affiliates.

Soderstrom a little redundant with Lundkvist?
- jimbro83

I'm big fan of Korczak. RHD that can skate but has a noticibale amount of snarl to his game.

Let it be noted I want Hayes back if they can trade Vesey and Nam.
- tomburton99

Yeah, I'm a little surprised by that

Soderstrom a little redundant with Lundkvist?
- jimbro83

Might be a good think if Nils doesn't pan out. Just keep adding to the pool baby. Though if we wind up with the picks, I'm still on team trade up. Get as many high impact players in here as possible. You probably know way more than I would, has any period in Rangers history been even close to now in terms of high number of exciting prospects? I didn't think I'd ever see a time like this for the team given the way they usually operate.

Good call. It's amazing that a $1.6 billion franchise doesn't spend money on things like minor league goalie coaches, gps/tracking software, skating coaches, teams of anaylysts, etc. They should be leading the league in soft money categories up and down their affiliates.
- WineryDog