I like Kevin. Kevin knows what his weakness is, seems to be the first couple of steps are slow, normal big guy issue, but because he knows what it is, he adjusts. Smart when he pinches and doesnt overplay the pinch.
Solid player now and will get better.
I think he's a fantastic fit for this team. He's big enough and smart enough to break up the cycle and take the puck away down low; he and Nakladal have massively improved our ability to do that.
He's makes really good short passes in his own zone. So long as the Flames make the stretch pass the exception rather than the rule (as they do when they are playing poorly), he's much better for us that Russel.
Stolen. The topic of the Russell trade was so many people would've been pleased as punch walking out of that trade with Jokipakka alone. I agree.
Right age, right player type, right size and skill set. Just fits into the team dynamic like a glove.
The guy may have had the wind taken out of his sails a bit when the trade happened but even he may have to admit now how well of a fit he is for this team. I'm so impressed with his play. Just makes next to no mistakes.
I put it out there a week or so ago and it's beginning to be echoed the last couple of days in that Jokipakka has those intangibles that Nik Hjalmersson has and is unsung with the Hawks. Unsung from a casual non-blackhawks fan. But folks who follow closely know he's a big time piece to their top 6.
Call me nuts but I feel so much better about this acquisition than I did with the Hamilton trade. And thats not to say I wasn't giddy with that trade.
Last edited by dammage79; 03-14-2016 at 10:05 PM.
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Yeah, in my opinion he looks much more confident and at ease than Hamilton did in his first month or more.
Good situation for him, if you have to get traded away from a playoff contender; lots of time to play, and clearly confident, so not worrying about making mistakes as it seems Hamiltion still is prone to do.
Jokipakka Discussion
