Whats the difference between early Nichushkin and Kakko

How's kakkos defense?

It’s always been good since he was a teen coming into the league. It’s obviously better than his offense. Maybe above average but not elite, just yet?

Well nuke had to redefine his game after his time in Dallas, the reason he's so effective is because of his speed, added with a motor that doesn't stop, being the first guy to the puck and winning puck battles.. his shot isn't very good and his deke move is always the same lol. So paired with other skilled players he's the "hyman" of the line, he's getting better at deflections and is picking up a bunch of assists from mack and rants.. while slamming in pucks from the front of the net

Mostly he's just an effective big bodied puck carrier that doesn't quit on anything

Yea I was gonna say, I think Kakko has to find out what he’s good at offensively and he most definitely needs to work on his speed. He’s so damn good at puck possession but can’t skate away

It’s just funny how people on this site call Kakko a bust just because he’s not a point per game or the next Mcdavid

It really depends on what is meant by "bust" I suppose. A guy drafted 2OA as a forward isn't drafted at that position because they're thought of as good-but-not-elite defensively and doesn't offer much offensively; there are tons of guys drafted far lower than Kakko that have done the same or better than him their first five seasons in the league so, from that perspective, he isn't living up to his draft position. He still has time to become a decent middle-six player but you have to wonder if he needs a change of scenery to reach his potential.