Kaapo Kakko desperately trying to prove he's more than just a depth guy for the Rangers
Kakko's time with the New York Rangers is hanging by a thread, as he's making the most of the opportunity afforded to him this season.
Kakko has been utilized in the top nine during the majority of his career in the NHL, as the former 2nd overall pick in 2019 has had the burden of expectations on his shoulders.
He has found himself on the third line again this season, with linemates Will Cuylle, and Filip Chytil. He has much to prove to the Rangers and himself, as he's more than just a 3rd-line forward.
The forward has scored a total of 119 points( 57 G, 62 A) in 305 games with the Rangers during his career.
He's played in 44 playoff games for the Rangers and has shown he's capable of handling playoff hockey. He was a part of the team which won the President's Trophy in 2023-2024, and has reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice.
This season has been his "prove-it" year, as he signed a one-year, $2.4 Million dollar contract with GM Chris Drury and the team.
Well, he brought it up, and this is where the part about a lot to prove this season comes into Kakko's story arc for this season, which could be his last in New York if things don't go well again.
As a veteran who is on a contending NHL team, he took a step back last season and will have to regain what he lost in terms of trust with the organization, and himself.
His best season was in 2022-2023, where he played on the "kid line" with Filip Chytil, and Alexis Lafreniere, scoring 40 points( 18 G, 22 A) and the Rangers want to see that player again.
He spent the next season in 2023-2024 missing 21 games due to injury and had trouble clawing back where he was the season prior. He'd be shifted from the 1st line after some time with Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad to the fourth line only posting 19 points( 6 G, 13 A).
He'd be scratched in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Florida Panthers, and would only score 2 points( 1 G, 1 A).
This season he needs to shift gears, find the production of old, and find his confidence again.
He's proven to be a key player in the Rangers sound defeat of the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2.
But can he keep up the production, while on the third line?
It sounds like there are major changes on the power-play which has helped reinvigorate his game, as he's currently assigned to the 2nd power-play unit, playing net-front like Chris Kreider.
The "not so young guy" anymore will have to figure out what he's learned this year to rebuild his confidence and game once again, and hopefully produce another 40-point season to keep himself on Broadway.
Kakko isn't letting a few road bumps get in his way and will continue to prove to himself that he can meet GM Chris Drury's challenges head-on.
| POLL | ||
Do you think Kaapo Kakko can prove to be more than just a 3rd-liner in the New York Rangers system? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 50.7 % |
| No | 34 | 49.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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