The Athletic Kakko Primed For Breakout Season?

[LindG1000]

https://theathletic.com/2841383/2021/09/22/the-nhls-10-best-breakout-candidates-for-2021-22/

 

Quote

It can’t be overstated how dramatic Kakko’s two-way progress was. The improvement, unfortunately, didn’t translate in terms of individual points but it did carry over on the scoresheet where New York outscored opponents by five goals with him on the ice. That’s a far cry from being 24 goals in the red like he was in year one.

Part of the reason Kakko didn’t breakout offensively was that the team shot just 7.3 percent when he was on the ice at five-on-five.

Heading into this season, the 20-year-old could get a crack as the third wheel on a line with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome. The trio dominated possession and outscored opponents 9-6 during their minutes together so it’s a combination worth experimenting with again.

The process of Kakko’s game improved tremendously last season. With better finishing and a potentially substantial boost in linemate quality, that hard work should show up more prominently in the boxcar stats.

I mean...he's kind of got to break out this season, but there's good reason to believe.

[Morphinity 2.0]

Like you said, he's got to break out. Full season, no COVID weirdness (hopefully). Get to it, Anti Bread Man.

[Ozzy]

Selke votes this year, finalist next year...possibly even a winner!!!

[Kevin]

The defensive turnaround from year 1 to year 2 was unbelievable.  I don't see why he wouldn't break out.  I really appreciate what he did last year.

[Drew a Penalty]

2 minutes ago, Kevin said:

The defensive turnaround from year 1 to year 2 was unbelievable.  I don't see why he wouldn't break out.  I really appreciate what he did last year.

Agreed. A lot of his defensive plays were in transition so you'd hope that would eventually turn into a quick counterattack. 

[Valriera]

Has to be up there for greatest difference in play between two seasons that I've ever seen, now let's hope that means he really got better and not that he has consistency issues. I think it's the former. 

[Ozzy]

...and he's only 20...I have to keep reminding myself of that!! 

[josh]

 

 

 

[josh]

When Alexis was asked about Kakko:

 

[siddious]

did he get more blonde?

[Valriera]

Kakko looks like the scariest finnish ice hockey player on that team from the mighty ducks holy shit

[Phil]

15 minutes ago, Valriera said:

Kakko looks like the scariest finnish ice hockey player on that team from the mighty ducks holy shit

If only he'd play like him...

[Albatrosss]

he looks big. cant wait to see what he does offensively this season.  I think even if he never breaks out as an offensive force, we got a great Overall hockey player.  

[Albatrosss]

3 hours ago, Morphinity said:

Like you said, he's got to break out. Full season, no COVID weirdness (hopefully). Get to it, Anti Bread Man.

what's Anti Bread Man?  

[siddious]

Just now, CCCP said:

what's Anti Bread Man?  

diabetes/celiac joke?