Monday Mailbag: ThatsKappy Takeover Edition

I’m not sure what happened to the other guys who normally do this, but I’m here to for a ThatsKappy Mailbag Takeover™ on a website I already write for.

As such, you asked the questions, and now I’m here to answer them. Let’s get down to business.

 

First off, this is one of the few August Hockey questions I genuinely care to entertain.

I’m going to give you both an optimist and a pessimist’s answer here. The optimist in me genuinely thinks that Andreas Johnsson has all the potential to carry his massive success in the minors this past season onto the NHL stage full time. Johnsson seems to think so too, having agreed to sign a one-year deal this past summer at just 787K. Don’t sleep on Johnsson playing his way up in the lineup, especially if injuries happen as they often do. Optimistic output for 2018-19: 21G, 24A, 45 Points.

The pessimist in me, however, still wonders if Johnsson may struggle to adapt to the sheer grind of a full season in the NHL. Don’t be surprised if he spends a few nights in the press box and takes a few laps on the fourth line. No spot is sacred, and for a player still developing, nor should they be.

No, because I don’t suck. Also, I don’t eat either, because I don’t want Papa to kill me for telling lies.

Would that really be the worst thing that’s happened to the Jays?

Going to try and entertain this one seriously instead of perpetuating the joke here. Could Connor Brown be expendable at some point this season (particularly as the deadline nears)? Absolutely. And while I’d hate to see him go, Brown, Nielsen and a 2nd could legitimately get you some solid stretch-run help on the back end, potentially even an asset who could return.

I’m not out here saying Erik Karlsson’s name by any means, but don’t be afraid to dream big.

I’m still running with my theory that John Tavares is inside the Fortnite Cube, and that he’s going to emerge from the cube at the end of Season 5 and sign for 7 more years. In other words, The Cube is going to replace Tyler Bozak.

Realistically, Connor Carrick. The fun-loving side of me really wants to see if Justin Holl can stick around and at least be a reliable option at the NHL level. He won’t even have to score a goal every game to convince me, either.

The disco warehouse north of Junk Junction slaps. Easily 10-15 chests and enough pallets to have you set for the rest of the game.

May I also recommend any of the Easter Island heads. Snag a could chests quickly and hop into a rift and be on your way.

I know he’s my namesake, but we’re all out here talking about Andreas Johnsson when Kasperi Kapanen is also poised to take a huge leap this season. His hands could be better, but his feat literally cannot. There’s no stopping that kid, and if his decision-making can improve even a fraction, he’s going to start putting pucks in the net like it’s nobody’s business. And, as a penalty killer to boot, I’m out here asking “Leo Komarov who?” and waiting anxiously for the season to start.

The last 10 years? Too many to name. People forget just how damn good Joffrey Lupul was (go ahead and laugh), and with our starry-eyed selves currently fawning over JT and Auston Matthews, we’ll likely have long forgotten how amazing Phil Kessel truly was as a Leaf by the time our boys in blue and white are hoisting the cup.

My one true answer though?

True fan’s will remember.