One last message about a player this summer, we dive into our Kaapo Kakko report card from last season. Kakko played 30 games with the Rangers last season and set up 4-10-14 in those 30 games while he was yo-yo around the line-up and without a real reason. There are many complaints about Kakko, and most are valid, but his treatment last season by Peter Laviolette is one of the all -time blunders that led to his final trade for Will Borgen, a minimal return to his best seen what the Rangers give.
It is difficult to assess a Kaapo Kakko report card without saying again: Kakko was far from the problem and was actually a solid third line player. His line with Will Cuylle and Filip Chytiol was the only consistent one the Rangers had for them early season. Unfortunately, Kakko was the scapegoat for the Rangers, and his trade in Seattle – especially for a minimal return – will probably come back and the Rangers chases in a few years ago that Kakko one Solid 10-20-30 in 49 games With Seattle after the exchange.
There were many valid concerns about Kakko’s game. He was methodical and sometimes slow with his decision -making. He sometimes did not set himself up well for receiving fitting or One-Timer opportunities, something he worked on as his Rangers career progressed.
Kakko was a solid two -way player for the Rangers and one of the only attacker actually dedicated last season to playing defense with the blues shirts. It was a rare moment of unanimous confusion and disgust of fans when Kakko was a healthy scratch when the Rangers tore from the inside. Accountability is all we wanted, and we got the same old Kakko -Kras. Just like the scratching of Petr Prucha, it quickly became old.
Last season there are not much knocking on Kakko’s game. He was excellent in his role and was a solid beer from the third line, the role of him was expected to fulfill himself with the Rangers. His 14 points in 30 games on average to an 11-27-38 line for an 82 competition season. Given his solid two-way, three-zone game and without any powerplay time, that is a good value. Perhaps this is my bias.
2024-2025 Kaapo Kakko Report Card Grade: B
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