Several New York Rangers players issues heartfelt statements regarding Kaapo Kakko trade
The New York Rangers locker room is reeling, as they traded away Kaapo Kakko. A player who'd been a fixture in the Rangers lineup since 2020, some players asked how they felt about the trade, and one reporter was met with sadness afterward by Mika Zibanejad.
Kaapo Kakko was a victim of circumstances, both of his own creation and the Rangers's situation. The team had begun a re-tooling of the club by sending away former Captain Jacob Trouba, now an Anaheim Duck.
Kakko has joined his new team in Seattle and will debut tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks in the United Center. A fresh start he ultimately desired.
Urho Vaakanainen offered his perspective, and how the team will be down one less Finn in this lineup.
Obviously not a fan, as he will have to have one less people on the team he has something in common with, and not just surface level topics.
Teammates of Kakko's were asked about the trade, and many had answers that were borderline coping, and Vince Mercogliano was met with sadness from Mika Zibanejad.
Zibanejad obviously feels the pain of his loss, and as someone who was traded by the Ottawa Senators knows the feelings Kakko is going through all too well.
Trades are a sad business, a human being who has built his life in one area, has to uproot it and move to another part of the country. In this case, Kakko will have to learn all of Seattle and grow there.
An often neglected element of the NHL media is the human element of trades.
While the focus is consistently on winning, the team is made up of people with thoughts, feelings, and family.
It is conveinient to look at one spectrum of the sport as a fan, but often times peeling back the onions on trades would reveal truths that could make us empathize with those we often idolize, and engage in parasocial relationships on the ice.
Kakko played 30 games for the Rangers, and scored 14 points(4 G, 10 A), he leaves behind New York for Seattle.
