(Chicago) Kaapo Kakko wants to focus on his opportunity with the Seattle Kraken. This difficult end to the journey with the New York Rangers is now a thing of the past.
Published at 7:40 p.m.
Jay Cohen
Associated Press
The talented winger hit the ice Thursday for the Kraken’s morning skate before their first game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He hopes to lend a helping hand in attack, with the Kraken having scored just one goal in their last two games.
“I think I’m good at zone [offensive]it’s my game, said Kakko. Make plays and score goals. But I think I’m good at zone too [défensive]. I am a player who applies himself in both directions of the ice. »
Kakko, 23, was traded Wednesday for defenseman Will Borgen, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Borgen, 28, had been with the Kraken since its inaugural season, but the Kraken wanted to acquire Kakko.
“It’s exciting to add a second overall pick to the group,” admitted head coach Dan Bylsma. Not as an 18-year-old player, but as a player who has grown to approach the player he will become. He is a strong, tall and powerful striker. »
Kakko helped the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference final last spring and signed a one-year contract in June as a restricted free agent, but rumors about him continued to swirl.
Kakko was left out of the Rangers’ game in St. Louis on Sunday. He said Tuesday he was surprised by head coach Peter Laviolette’s decision, saying it’s “easy to take the young player and put him aside.”
On Wednesday night, Kakko was part of a new team.
“I was frustrated. I think everyone who doesn’t play wants to play. “That’s what I wanted too,” he admitted.
“But that doesn’t matter anymore. It’s a new team for me, I don’t think about it anymore. There are a lot of good guys there and this is another chance for me. »
The Rangers have lost 11 of their last 14 games, including five of seven since captain Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
Kakko called the Rangers a “great organization” and admitted the last month has been tough for everyone on the team.
“There is no more captain. He’s a good guy, everyone loved him, Kakko said. There was a lot going on. When you lose matches, it’s never a good thing. You want to play, you want to win. So it was a little difficult for everyone. »
Kakko scored four goals and collected 10 assists in 30 games with the Rangers this season. He set career highs with 18 goals and 22 assists in 82 games in 2022-23.
The Kraken have been playing without captain Jordan Eberle since he underwent pelvic surgery last month. And Kakko could help make up for his absence.
“We’re always looking for bigger players who can go to war,” said Kraken general manager Ron Francis. We think there’s a reason the Rangers took him second overall. He was a very good player at that point, and for one reason or another it didn’t work out for him.
“So we hope that this change of scenery and working with us will allow us to get a little more out of it. »
Kakko, who will wear number 84 with the Kraken, knows his new teammate Eeli Tolvanen well, with whom he won the World Junior Hockey Championship in 2019.
“He’s a great player,” Tolvanen said. He is imposing. He has very good hands. He uses his body well. He can score goals. I think he’s going to be an important part for us. »
