Kakko has had a decent game. He has been doing in this game what exactly I said in other thread he should be doing. Going to the net and try scoring in front of the net on deflections and rebounds. Taking high slot shots and driving hard to the net.
He had 7 shots. Last year Lafreniere had one of the worst preseasons I ever saw so I don’t put too much into it.
I know they have had success in the past, but the way Chytil's and Kakko's games are developing I do not see them as a good match anymore. Chytil looks more and more like he wants to push the pace and carry the puck, creating off the rush. Kakko is a black hole in that style. Cuylle is useful but that isn't his game either. We have matchup wingers with an offensive center. No identity. Don't like the third line right now and I think it could hold Chytil back a bit. I'd give Othmann or Berard some shifts with him. That's my biggest issue with the forward group right now. I like what I've seen out of Smith playing with the wonder twins. Rempe looks like he took the offseason seriously which is all you can ask for right now. We will see how he looks at real game speed. Like it or not he is going to be getting shifts. I'd rather see Edstrom.
If they move Kakko, they better get a young left-handed defenseman because they sure as heck need one.
Cuylle is really more of a 4th liner optimally. Othmann has more offense to fit on a 3rd line. Maybe you could build a future 4th line with Sykora/Cuylle in it, then find a C.
Edstrom is looking like he could be a good fourth liner for a while. I thought he was a center in the minors.
I will never defend the way the Rangers developed Lafreniere and Kakko. Retarded. Every other team shows you what the Rangers did is exactly not what to do with a top forward prospect. That being said, if Kakko won't play on the top two lines, he's really not a 3rd line player with no physical element or speed to his game. It would make sense if they could acquire a 20 to 24 year old, lefty defenseman with size for him in a trade. Love Lindgren but I really don't see the Rangers paying him as often as he gets hurt going forward.
Re: Lindgren....agreed but, doesnt it also seem like a situation the Rangers would overpay historically? They love their homegrown defensemen.
Yeah, but in this case, I just don’t see it being a good move if they can acquire a lefty defenseman in a deal.
