Elliotte Friedman reveals the truth about Kaapo Kakko's contract extension

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Hunter Bowman
June 20, 2024 (11:02 PM)

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The truth was revealed on why the New York Rangers signed Kaapo Kakko to $2.4 million extension for one year.

Both parties had agreed to this contract offer as this was the qualifying offer for Kakko by the Rangers management.

According to Elliotte Friedman of the 32 thoughts podcast, he explained that both sides were OK with this number as it would give the Rangers leverage if a trade were to be made in the coming months.

Chris Drury and all other NHL general managers love certainty especially cost certainty as this gives them the price of what they would be paying for a player of his calibre.

«I think this is a little bit of a strategy by team and agent to say, �Let's eliminate the guesswork so if there is anywhere else out there that makes sense for him and is willing to propose us a fair deal, we're all going to know what the numbers are.'» Friedman said.

Kakko has not had a strong start to his NHL career, as he was drafted 2nd overall by the Rangers in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Kakko has still yet to find his full potential with the team after playing 61 games this year and only scoring 13 goals with six assists for 19 points and is a + 6.

«Look, this could be a really active trading season, if there's another team that's out there that likes Kakko, they don't have to sit there and say, �Well what's his number going to be?' Or, �We have to negotiate a contract,'» Friedman added on the Jeff Marek Shows. «The business is taken care of, and it just makes life easier on everyone involved.»

With the contract done, it certainly makes him more attractive to be moved and there are several teams looking at him who may be able to change his fortunes.