I sincerely hopes Kakko makes a leap this year like Lafreniere did. Something to also keep in mind is that these two have had the chance to participate in two long playoff runs. Laffy made the leap and Kakko hasn’t.
If the Rangers had a brain which they usually don't, they would forget their idiotic philosophy that you need three lefty and three righty defenseman and award the 6th d spot to Mancini.
Kakko's heavy slapshot should be utilized on the point of the first PP unit with Lafreniere on right wing giving them one time options on both sides. Zibanejad needs to be banished off of that unit as well as Kreider as they build a second PP unit capable of doing something. A young scorers confidence rises when he gets a lot of PP time. Something one of our dumbass posters here can't seem to grasp. What Lafreniere has done is nothing short of a miracle. He's overcome the stupidity of one of the dumbest organizations in hockey.
If we want to go an nit pick every player fans supported, your dumbass would be at the top of the dickhead list. Where was your great PP vs. Florida? Oh that's right. Getting ass fucked and costing us the series.
Smith seems like an experienced enough guy to do well with Kreider/Z but I think they will look to deal for Vatrano after the holidays and move Smith down to play with Chytil/Kakko. Put Cuylle on the 4th line with Carrick/Vesey. Othmann may or may not find a spot this year and I don't see Rempe being a factor.
I put the postseason PP shortcomings on Lav who made no adjustments other than scratching your soft boytoy Krappo from the lineup. I was as big a supporter of Kakko as any fan but after 5 years I've grown tired of waiting for him to show any signs of assertiveness.
If Kakko had any brain he would model his game after Kreider. Big strong kid. At this point he needs to park his ass in front of goal and try to score on rebounds and deflections. Also shoot more from the high slot. He has a really good wrist shot. Stop waltzing around with puck and make some plays and stop being a vagina.
Laffy said he was working on his skating again. If Chytil stays healthy the first 40 games and Kakko doesn't have at least 20 to 25 points in the first half, that's on him. Chytil is a good even strength scorer.
