We know it. To hope to win a Stanley Cup, your third line must rise and play as a trio top six in series.
Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow, Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Alex Killorn all took turns with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021…
Bryan Bickell, Dustin Byfuglien, Jordan Staal, Tyler Bozak…many of them were an important part of a conquest despite a Stanley Cup spot bottom six.
This spring in New York, the kids line made up of Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko was well on his way to doing the job a champion team demands of him third row more more.
But in games #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6, these three youngsters only scored one goal: Kakko on a pass by Chytil on June 3rd in New York. This trio has not scored in the last four games of the series.
We can say that the three young Rangers attackers didn’t deliver the goods against the two-time defending champions. At the same time, we could really expect to see children 20, 21 and 22 years old snout experienced Lightning players?
The problem is that everything seems to be settled a little bit wrong In NYC.
Kakko, used for 22:47 in the first game of the playoffs (against the Penguins), only managed 10 minutes a game against the Lightning… and was left out in the last game.
Why did Gerard Gallant leave him in the stands last Saturday night? Because he wanted the muscles of Dryden Hunt – who hadn’t played since May 7 – in his lineup. Hunt finished the game 1 under and 10:58 on the ice…
Gallant, who still firmly believes in Kakko and Lafrenière’s offensive potential, simply thought he had a better chance of winning his match with Hunt rather than Kakko. that’s it.
Gerard Gallant said he scratched Kaapo Kakko in Game 6 because he was “trying to win a hockey game.” It was a coaching decision. He said he likes Kakko and believes he will play a big role next season for Rangers. He would be disappointed if Kakko and Lafreniere aren’t in the top 6.
– Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 13, 2022
Recall that he refused to comment on Kakko’s withdrawal after Saturday’s encounter.
We wish Gallant had told us more about what he didn’t like about Kakko this spring. His defensive play, folds, his bets, his physical play, his decisions with the puck?
Note that Kakko confessed to the media that he didn’t like being left out, that it was the first time something like this had happened to him… and that nobody told him why he wasn’t part of the Rangers’ lineup . He learned that by looking at the official lineup on the board…
#NYR Kaapo Kakko: “It’s never fun when you’re not in the line-up. Wasn’t too happy about that. »
Adds that it was the first time this had happened to him.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) June 13, 2022
2022, when communication is extremely important, becomes the head coach of the Rangersescaped?
Does Gallant really believe in Kaapo Kakko? Or does he simply allow himself not to say everything in front of the press?
A valid question deserves to be asked: will Rangers do to Kakko what the Canadian did to Jesperi Kotkaniemi? Is the future of Rangers’ young Finn as uncertain as Kotkaniemi’s with CH a year ago? There are some similarities between the two situations, it has to be admitted.
According to Elliotte Friedman, several teams will be calling Rangers over the summer to inquire about the price to pay to get their hands on Kaapo Kakko (runner-up overall in 2019, I remind you). Jeff Marek even thinks a team like the Hurricanes might be tempted to make a hostile offer to Kakko. Introduce yourself?
Marek wonders if he could be an offer note target? Maybe a team that recently offered a Finnish striker whose last name also starts with a ‘K’?
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) June 13, 2022
Can Gerard Gallant – who is staying here – and Kappo Kakko’s relationship be saved? Is Kakko really part of Rangers’ future plans? He will be eligible for limited autonomy on July 13. He may receive hostile offers, but is not eligible for arbitration.
Kakko and Kotkaniemi are two Finns who have been very drafted high, but they hatch slowly. What does the future hold for Kakko? Wish him same money as KK but better performance on the ice. Will Kent Hughes or Jeff Gorton listen when Chris Drury calls?
Many
– Since Kotkaniemi was briefly mentioned, everything points to the fact that he played in the playoffs injured.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi currently wears a splint or cast on his right hand.
That could explain his tough 2022 streak. #PlayedInjured? pic.twitter.com/j0F4z4lg1r
— Behind the scenes (@DLCoulisses) June 14, 2022
– The rockets artificial silk.
“Laval positions itself as one of the best markets in the American League” – @jp_tvasports https://t.co/hdvrlIFtWx
— The Dose (@LaDose_TVA) June 14, 2022
– Sweet.
A new dog in the family.
We volunteer to dog sit.
https://t.co/FFhqHYKSNO#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/dHzPNHtycu
— Montreal Canadiens (@CanadiensMTL) June 14, 2022
– Happy Holidays people!
Happy workout birthday #Have Defender Éric Desjardins, who turns 53 today #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/R5e5CtyOr8
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) June 14, 2022
Happy workout birthday #Have Forward Steve Begin, who turns 44 today. #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/DGpmnOOqHG
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) June 14, 2022
Congratulations to Laval Rocket’s Devante Smith-Pelly who turns 30 today. #Have #HabsIO pic.twitter.com/JVxHaRWTLr
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) June 14, 2022
– Impressive stats!
THIS IS WILD!
h/d @hgomez27 pic.twitter.com/qVpuDEoXpr
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 14, 2022
– Serena Williams will be on duty at Wimbledon.
Serena Williams will return to competition at Wimbledon https://t.co/ACpFeiicZr
– The Sports Press (@LaPresse_Sports) June 14, 2022
– Canadian players who were unhappy with the work of the referees last night could be banned.
El cabreo en jugadores de Canada with la afición hondureña que le gritaba e insultaba tras la derrota. Adekugbe, Eustaquio and Buchanan los que salieron más molestos.
:Diez pic.twitter.com/rml1LOi4i8— Julio Cesar Cruz (@crumar92) June 14, 2022