Major altercation sparks after star player calls out head coach Peter Laviolette for his recent decisions
Photo credit: NHL.com
New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko addresses the media regarding him being a healthy scratch on Sunday when the Rangers faced the St. Louis Blues, and things take an unexpected turn as he doesn't hold back and calls out head coach Peter Laviolette.
Kakko was shockingly made a health scratch on Sunday night for the Rangers, and no he has spoken out and released a statement today, along with calling Peter Laviolette out for making that decision.
The 23-year old forward has been surrounded by trade rumours all season, and then with Laviolette making the decision to bench him on Sunday night, many fans believed this was the last time Kaapo Kakko would be wearing a Rangers jersey.
Thankfully that is not the case, blue Kaapo Kakko who is clearly frustrated by the move has released a series of statements showcasing his frustration:
Full #NYR Kaapo Kakko quote when I asked if he was surprised:
«I was surprised, yeah. I know you got to do something as a coach when you're losing games, but I think it's just easy to pick a young guy and boot him out. That's how I feel, to be honest.»
«I was surprised, yeah. I know you got to do something as a coach when you're losing games, but I think it's just easy to pick a young guy and boot him out. That's how I feel, to be honest.»
Does Kaapo Kakko need to talk to #NYR before he goes back in to see what they want from him?
«I'm not going to do that,» he said. «They're going to say if they have something to say, but I'm not going there.»
No. 24 was as dejected as I've ever seen him.
«I'm not going to do that,» he said. «They're going to say if they have something to say, but I'm not going there.»
No. 24 was as dejected as I've ever seen him.
These comments obviously caught the attention of head coach Peter Laviolette, which resulted in him having a few words for the situation:
head coach Peter Laviolette on the message to Kaapo Kakko:
«I'll probably keep those messages between him and I. I think it's OK to be frustrated, it's OK to be upset. Everybody wants to play, I get that 100%. I understand that.»
«I'll probably keep those messages between him and I. I think it's OK to be frustrated, it's OK to be upset. Everybody wants to play, I get that 100%. I understand that.»
What would #NYR head coach Peter Laviolette say in response to Kaapo Kakko's notion that it's easier to scratch a young guy than a veteran?
«There's been older players who have sat out as well. The decisions that I make, they're tough decisions. Our team, Kaapo, our team - we need to play better. We're 3-10 in our 13 games and that's not good enough. We need to play a better brand of hockey, all of us.»
«There's been older players who have sat out as well. The decisions that I make, they're tough decisions. Our team, Kaapo, our team - we need to play better. We're 3-10 in our 13 games and that's not good enough. We need to play a better brand of hockey, all of us.»
Definitely a situation that has gone bad, but hopefully this will spark the New York Rangers as everyone on the team is to be blamed for their poor performances.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 1210 ANSWERS Major altercation sparks after star player calls out head coach Peter Laviolette for his recent decisions Do you agree with what Kaapo Kakko had to say about Peter Laviolette's decision? | ||
| Yes | 675 | 55.8 % |
| No | 168 | 13.9 % |
| Should've kept it between them | 367 | 30.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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