Kraken GM says ex-Rangers forward Kakko could blossom in new home, away from pressure
There are plenty of theories about why Kaapo Kakko never lived up to his status as the second player taken in the 2019 NHL Draft – and why the New York Rangers, who took him with that pick 5 1/2 years ago, were willing to trade him to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday in exchange for bottom-pair defenseman Will Borgen and third- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 draft.
Some say Kakko’s talent was overrated. Some say he lacked the speed and skill to be the top-six forward the Rangers had anticipated they were getting when they took him – Kakko has shown himself to be a useful third-liner who’s a solid puck-protector but not the kind of dynamic offensive player that the New Jersey Devils got when they selected center Jack Hughes with the No. 1 pick. He’s never finished a season with more than the 18 goals and 40 points he put up in 2022-23 — and after a solid start to this season had seen his scoring numbers drop in recent weeks. In 29 games, he had 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) and was plus-10.
So after five-plus seasons, the Rangers decided to cut bait with Kakko in order to help plug some holes on the blue line. The Kraken, who’ve struggled to score at times this season while going 15-16-2 in their first 33 games, hope to see the promise that attracted the Rangers come to fruition with a new team on the other coast.
Kraken GM optimistic that fresh start for Kakko will pay off
Kraken general manager Ron Francis, who made the deal that brought the 23-year-old from Finland to Seattle, thinks it might be good for Kakko to get a fresh start and play somewhere other than New York, where he was playing just across the Hudson River from Hughes.
“It’s pretty close,” Francis said Wednesday after the trade was completed. “You get him out here, away from that and we have a chance to work with him. That’s what we’re hoping for.”
Kakko found out about the trade at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday while he was in a sauna in Dallas, where the Rangers play Friday – then found out he was booked for a flight four hours later. He was in Chicago for his new team’s morning skate and was set to play his first game against the Blackhawks on Thursday night.
“I had a little bit of time to pack,” he said, “but I was excited right away.”
The Kraken aren’t exactly swimming in talent, especially big-bodied talent. up front. Kakko is 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds with a solid reputation for retrieving pucks in the offensive zone, winning puck battles along the wall, protecting the puck from opponents, being patient with the puck and never backing down from scrums. He was
He’s optimistic that the change in scenery will give his offensive game a boost.
“I’m still good in the O-zone,” said Kakko, who had 131 points (61 goals, 70 assists) and was plus-13 in 330 regular-season games with the Rangers. “That’s my game. I can make some plays, challenge you, and score some goals. I think I’ve been getting better in the defensive zone as a two-way player who can be trusted. Getting to the net is something I’ve been trying to do a little more, especially this year.”
Coach Dan Bylsma, who had Kakko on the power play during the morning skate, is also optimistic that his new forward brings plenty to the table.
“He’s a big-body guy who can hang on the puck in the offensive zone, which gives some time and space for linemates to shoot,” Bylsma said. “We want to be able to utilize his strength and his shot.”
Getting away from the team that took him No. 2 five years ago could be just what Kakko needs. There will be a lot less pressure playing for the NHL’s newest team – especially as his now-former teammates try to find a way out of the slump that seen them lose 11 of their past 14 games and dropped them from 12-4-1 after 17 games to 15-15-1 entering their game against the Stars on Friday.
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