Don’t want to give up on either yet, Kakko can definitely be a serviceable top 6 winger and hopefully this year he’ll get top line minutes. As for Laf though from what Laviolette apparently said it’s not looking too great
memeaste
Kakko can def be the guy to step up. I really hope Laf can too, but not from what we’ve seen in preseason
Zero-jiggler
Honestly I’m not worried about Kakko at all. He’s already a great two-way player who will probably put up 50-60 points in his prime. That’s an asset any team would love to have.
Laf on the other hand… 😬😬😬
Sean-Avery
Chytil arrived last season and I really think Kakko is next. Kakko already took a big step forward last year.
18 goals, all of them at even strength, is pretty good from a 21 year old in what was really his first full 82 game season
hartywhalers
Kakko looks quicker this year. I think he can take his opportunity and run with it.
Laf… well it’s a good thing he already speaks French
Rangbang
Laffy cant be sent down to Hartford without clearing waivers, right? He has not earned a spot on the team, he wont improve from the press box, and his potential trade value will plummet. But there is also no way on earth he would clear waivers to get a couple of (much needed) months in Hartford.
Rough spot!
mandiblesofdoom
This title is a bit disrespectful. Kakko has shown more than Laf. He would have already “stepped up” had they simply left him with Zibs & Kreider last year.
Spidey5292
I love Trocheck but I really think Kakko or Chytil should be the fifth spot on PP1. It’s time to take the training wheels off.
BuffStudman
Kakko yes
Laf no
zmars26
Kakko I think will break out eventually. I think his game really suffered from the switch to a smaller rink and still needing to mature physically.
Laf similarly has struggled with facing more physically matured opponents be he worries because he has no identity as a player. He’s not a playmaker. He’s not a sniper. He’s not an elite grinder in the Crosby style. He’s not a power forward nor is he a speedster.
I think he needs to just decide to devote all of his energy towards being something, anything really, that fits within his physical capabilities. At this point, I think it’s clear he’s not a 1OA caliber player but he can still carve a career out with the talent he very clearly has.
the_mair
I mean I’m definitely way more confident in Kakko
cris090382
If they are given enough ice team to be able to contribute, I bet yes
Philooch
Kakko i believe in. Laffy no.
ThePlatanoKing
I have faith in Kakko still. Dude’s puck handling and body control are elite and he’s shown more than capable of playing strong defense. I think he can be a Nichuskin type 60+ point two way wing which would be huge for us
swiftkickinthedick
This year is absolutely crucial for the future of this franchise. The hype around both of these players when they were drafted warrants 30 goals from each of them year after year. If they don’t take a massive step this year then they will be busts, considering their draft position
Robo504
No
Erdrick68
Just give me Kreider-Zib-Kakko dammit. That trio has the offensive firepower necessary to be a first line, and the defensive capabilities to match up with pretty much any other first line.
ColdRoller52
The real big question is are they going to get the ice time and the leash to show they can make those steps?
18 Comments
Don’t want to give up on either yet, Kakko can definitely be a serviceable top 6 winger and hopefully this year he’ll get top line minutes. As for Laf though from what Laviolette apparently said it’s not looking too great
Kakko can def be the guy to step up. I really hope Laf can too, but not from what we’ve seen in preseason
Honestly I’m not worried about Kakko at all. He’s already a great two-way player who will probably put up 50-60 points in his prime. That’s an asset any team would love to have.
Laf on the other hand… 😬😬😬
Chytil arrived last season and I really think Kakko is next. Kakko already took a big step forward last year.
18 goals, all of them at even strength, is pretty good from a 21 year old in what was really his first full 82 game season
Kakko looks quicker this year. I think he can take his opportunity and run with it.
Laf… well it’s a good thing he already speaks French
Laffy cant be sent down to Hartford without clearing waivers, right?
He has not earned a spot on the team, he wont improve from the press box, and his potential trade value will plummet. But there is also no way on earth he would clear waivers to get a couple of (much needed) months in Hartford.
Rough spot!
This title is a bit disrespectful. Kakko has shown more than Laf. He would have already “stepped up” had they simply left him with Zibs & Kreider last year.
I love Trocheck but I really think Kakko or Chytil should be the fifth spot on PP1. It’s time to take the training wheels off.
Kakko yes
Laf no
Kakko I think will break out eventually. I think his game really suffered from the switch to a smaller rink and still needing to mature physically.
Laf similarly has struggled with facing more physically matured opponents be he worries because he has no identity as a player. He’s not a playmaker. He’s not a sniper. He’s not an elite grinder in the Crosby style. He’s not a power forward nor is he a speedster.
I think he needs to just decide to devote all of his energy towards being something, anything really, that fits within his physical capabilities. At this point, I think it’s clear he’s not a 1OA caliber player but he can still carve a career out with the talent he very clearly has.
I mean I’m definitely way more confident in Kakko
If they are given enough ice team to be able to contribute, I bet yes
Kakko i believe in. Laffy no.
I have faith in Kakko still. Dude’s puck handling and body control are elite and he’s shown more than capable of playing strong defense. I think he can be a Nichuskin type 60+ point two way wing which would be huge for us
This year is absolutely crucial for the future of this franchise. The hype around both of these players when they were drafted warrants 30 goals from each of them year after year. If they don’t take a massive step this year then they will be busts, considering their draft position
No
Just give me Kreider-Zib-Kakko dammit. That trio has the offensive firepower necessary to be a first line, and the defensive capabilities to match up with pretty much any other first line.
The real big question is are they going to get the ice time and the leash to show they can make those steps?