He was! Hopefully Kakko takes some strides next season and shows more. Laf started to play great......Kravs looks really good....Kakko......not so sure about
- rrentz

Kakko needs to add some finish to his game but out of the 3 guys you listed I actually thought Kakko had the best season. He was really strong on the puck and played a great defensive game. Once he starts shooting a bit more he's gonna be a really good player.

Kakko needs to add some finish to his game but out of the 3 guys you listed I actually thought Kakko had the best season. He was really strong on the puck and played a great defensive game. Once he starts shooting a bit more he's gonna be a really good player.
- SkjeiStadium

I agree with his overall play, but I was expecting to see more offensive polish/points from Kakko. With Laf and Kravs its very obvious that they have that touch

I agree with his overall play, but I was expecting to see more offensive polish/points from Kakko. With Laf and Kravs its very obvious that they have that touch
- rrentz

I think Kakko is the guy you hang your hat on if you believed Quinn was the problem

If Kakko explodes next year under the next coach, people will definitely be able to say "SEE I TOLD YA"

and I hope it happens

I think Kakko is the guy you hang your hat on if you believed Quinn was the problem

If Kakko explodes next year under the next coach, people will definitely be able to say "SEE I TOLD YA"

and I hope it happens
- jimbro83

I understand it takes time for these kids to find their footing , confidence, and consitstency. Next year is HUGE in SO many ways

Maybe Dolan isn't a complete idiot for feeling the way he did
- rrentz

I have no problem with the Gorton move but will never agree with firing JD after 2 years. Unless JD said I am out.

I agree with his overall play, but I was expecting to see more offensive polish/points from Kakko. With Laf and Kravs its very obvious that they have that touch
- rrentz

I think Kakko is going to be a solid pro. I just don't know if he will ever live up to the hype as the 2nd overall pick. Usually you look for game changers at that draft slot. Doesn't mean he can't help the team win.

I have no problem with the Gorton move but will never agree with firing JD after 2 years. Unless JD said I am out.
- TPC

I really don't know why they hired him in 1st place

I really don't know why they hired him in 1st place
- jimbro83

Makes no sense now. You know he is finding away to trade for Braden Schneider. You better protect him at all costs

Makes no sense now. You know he is finding away to trade for Braden Schneider. You better protect him at all costs
- TPC

JD gets to back to Columbus with 3 first round picks and a good chance to win the lottery again

I agree with his overall play, but I was expecting to see more offensive polish/points from Kakko. With Laf and Kravs its very obvious that they have that touch
- rrentz

Yep he definitely needs to produce more. He reminds me a bit of Rick Nash in that he scores his goals close to the net, even going back to his time in the Finnish league. He doesn't have the big shot of someone who is going to come down the wing and snipe. I think he's still figuring out how to get to the net more consistently in the NHL and this year I thought he took a big step in his possession game. The next step is driving that possession towards the net. If that doesn't start this year there could be some cause for concern but the growth he showed this year makes me think he will take that next step next year.

Yep he definitely needs to produce more. He reminds me a bit of Rick Nash in that he scores his goals close to the net, even going back to his time in the Finnish league. He doesn't have the big shot of someone who is going to come down the wing and snipe. I think he's still figuring out how to get to the net more consistently in the NHL and this year I thought he took a big step in his possession game. The next step is driving that possession towards the net. If that doesn't start this year there could be some cause for concern but the growth he showed this year makes me think he will take that next step next year.
- SkjeiStadium

Agree w/ you

Yep he definitely needs to produce more. He reminds me a bit of Rick Nash in that he scores his goals close to the net, even going back to his time in the Finnish league. He doesn't have the big shot of someone who is going to come down the wing and snipe. I think he's still figuring out how to get to the net more consistently in the NHL and this year I thought he took a big step in his possession game. The next step is driving that possession towards the net. If that doesn't start this year there could be some cause for concern but the growth he showed this year makes me think he will take that next step next year.
- SkjeiStadium

Yep. There is just something about Kakko's game that is very promising. You feel it when you watch him play some of those dominate puck controlling shifts that he can. If he did not show the skill/talent nor the progress of forechecking and puck possession this past year, I would be more concerned his draft position wasn't warranted.

Yep. There is just something about Kakko's game that is very promising. You feel it when you watch him play some of those dominate puck controlling shifts that he can. If he did not show the skill/talent nor the progress of forechecking and puck possession this past year, I would be more concerned his draft position wasn't warranted.
- NYRCeph

what's interesting is that if we didn't win the 2nd overall pick in 2019 to get Kakko and stayed in the draft slot we were in, we have Zegras right now

CLASSY

CLASSY


- jimbro83

I'm really excited for that Kingston band's new album

I think Kakko is the guy you hang your hat on if you believed Quinn was the problem

If Kakko explodes next year under the next coach, people will definitely be able to say "SEE I TOLD YA"

and I hope it happens
- jimbro83

Which means that people will ignore all the gains he made over the past year leading to that success

Which means that people will ignore all the gains he made over the past year leading to that success
- airjan23

Quinn got this job with really bad timing, to be the coach hired after "the letter", have a normal first season and then be judged on these two insane Covid seasons

the whole thing just seems unfair

there isn't any way I personally would have fired JD, Gorton, or Quinn

I would have wanted the weaknesses addressed, absolutely, but I still think everyone was still operating under the umbrella of the letter and the expectations weren't to be a contender just yet

Quinn got this job with really bad timing, to be the coach hired after "the letter", have a normal first season and then be judged on these two insane Covid seasons

the whole thing just seems unfair

there isn't any way I personally would have fired JD, Gorton, or Quinn

I would have wanted the weaknesses addressed, absolutely, but I still think everyone was still operating under the umbrella of the letter and the expectations weren't to be a contender just yet
- jimbro83

This offseason with the cap opening up I was curious what they were going to do given the chance.

But oh well, hopefully Drury can fix it

He was! Hopefully Kakko takes some strides next season and shows more. Laf started to play great......Kravs looks really good....Kakko......not so sure about
- rrentz

Kakko looked ok to me. Just every aspect other than finishing that advanced. That's a big one, for sure, but the progress I saw lends toward more patience.

That’s truly (frank)ing terrifying, especially being in-division.

I honestly really liked Quinn, but he just didn’t come off as a strategist or X’s & O’s kind of guy. From that aspect I don’t mind seeing him go but I’m sure he learned a lot and will be better in his second opportunity.
- TC88

Pretty much exactly the way I felt.

I'm really excited for that Kingston band's new album
- eichiefs9

So am I!!!!!!!!
Are you saying you're not familiar with The Tragically Hip???
Icons of my generation in Canada. Lead singer died of brain cancer in 2017.
This new release is 6 songs from way back when they exploded on the Canadian music scene in the early 90's. HUGE!!

i hope whoever the coach is gets K'Andre to embrace his size and play nastier

I agree with his overall play, but I was expecting to see more offensive polish/points from Kakko. With Laf and Kravs its very obvious that they have that touch
- rrentz

Look at Hughes this season compared to last season, I'm not worried yet.

So am I!!!!!!!!
Are you saying you're not familiar with The Tragically Hip???
Icons of my generation in Canada. Lead singer died of brain cancer in 2017.
This new release is 6 songs from way back when they exploded on the Canadian music scene in the early 90's. HUGE!!
- Tonybere

All I know is that The Sadies backed him up on a solo album.

Look at Hughes this season compared to last season, I'm not worried yet.
- Fenrir