Stats showing that this young star will have a breakout season

This season marks the 30th anniversary of the Blueshirts' last Stanley Cup championship, with both the organization and its fans anxious to end that drought on a nice, round number.

There has been a lot of negative attention placed on forward Alexis Lafreniere during the preseason, and with good reason. Instead of continuing to harp on the former No.1 pick in the 2020 draft during the exhibition season, it is time to focus on the team's other top pick, Kaapo Kakko.

A big opportunity awaits the former second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Kaapo Kakko will be given a shot to play on the team's top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider when the team's season opens up on Thursday night.

Not only is the 22-year-old coming off career highs in points (40) and games played (82) last season, but his growth as a two-way contributor has been substantial.

His strength on the puck and ability to create plays in high-traffic areas is unique, and his left-handed shot is well above average. It's a matter of turning those skills into better production.

Kaapo Kakko is entering the final year of a two-year deal he signed with the Rangers' in 2022, where he will become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2023-24 season when he is 23 years old.

If he is able to have a breakout season and put up big numbers, he is going to demand a big raise and the Rangers can't afford to lose him. Kaapo Kakko should have all the motivation in the world to play his best next season.

Kaapo Kakko and the New York Rangers hit the ice Thursday, October 12, against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, in Buffalo.