Kaapo Kakko desperately trying to prove he's more than just a depth guy for the Rangers
Photo credit: New Jersey Hockey Now
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.
"It's been a long time here," the 23-year-old New York Rangers forward said. "I feel like I've always been a third-line guy and I still am on the third line. I just need to play as good as I can and not think about it anymore."
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.
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.
"But after last season ..." Kakko said, his voice trailing off as he heard himself speaking.
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).
"Last year he said it, I said it, we both said it, I think there's more there and so every day is an opportunity to prove that," Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. "When you don't have the year you want, you come back the next year, anybody, I think there's an opportunity to fix that, to come back and prove that you can do more than that. From his eyes and from mine it doesn't matter; a new year is a new opportunity."
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?
"That gives you confidence," Kakko said. "I mean, at some point you have to score a goal and it's going to be better, but at this time of the year, only a couple games, get those chances. It feels pretty good."
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.
"I like the spot, net-front," Kakko said. "I mean, 'Kreids' is getting a lot of goals over there all these years. It's the second power play and the first power play has always been very good, so they get all the ice time. But you're going to get there sometimes and there's going to be more chances. I think more importantly you're going to get out there and you don't have to sit on the bench so you keep the rhythm going. That's the biggest thing, but also we're going to score a goal."
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 | ||
OCTOBRE 18 | 69 ANSWERS Kaapo Kakko desperately trying to prove he's more than just a depth guy for the Rangers 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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