The Reason Laviolette Demoted This Player To The Third Line

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Alexender Camilo
November 7, 2023 (3:04 PM)

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Head coach Peter Laviolette still feels there is room for improvement for the Rangers, sitting in first position in the Metropolitan Division with an 8-2-1 record.

It's good to have a head coach who won't settle for any weaknesses, even if the team is among the best in the league.

One area of improvement is with the former No. 2 pick of the 2019 draft, Kaapo Kakko, whom Laviolette has pushed out of the top-6 to the third line with Will Cuylle and Nick Bonino.

Here is his reasoning for it:

"He's big. He's strong. He has speed and, it's not a work (ethic) thing. Through the course of 11 games, it just hasn't clicked the way that you would want from a production standpoint. And I'm not saying that's (only) Kaapo. I'm just saying that's the reality." -Peter Laviolette

Reporter Matthew Mugno quoted Kakko on the change:

"I think we didn't have much going on in the last four games with that line, so it's good to change the lines a little and to try to find my game. I know I haven't been that guy I should be out there. So, try to feel better tonight." -Kaapo Kakko

I do believe it's for the best for now, and it's good to see Kakko taking it well for the sake of the team.

Hopefully there's newfound success on the third line and he elevates his play to a level we have long hoped to see.