Kaapo Kakko Will Thrive in the Seattle Kraken Organization

It is a tale that is as old as time. A team drafts a young player high in the draft and does not play him in the position he was meant to play. That was the case for Kaapo Kakko with the New York Rangers before he was traded to the Seattle Kraken. 

The Rangers selected Kaapo Kakko second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, while the New Jersey Devils took Jack Hughes with the first pick. Naturally, comparisons between the two players were inevitable. At the time, there was considerable debate over who should go first overall, especially given Kakko’s standout performances for Finland at both the World Juniors and World Championships.

However, things did not work out for Kakko in New York. Even though he was a highly touted prospect, the Rangers never gave him the opportunity to play in the top six. While he got looks here and there, he was never a consistent player there. Not to mention, he never saw power play under the coaches that were in New York.

From David Quinn to Gerard Gallant and now Peter Laviolette, Kakko has never been given a real chance to develop his game. There’s a reason he was selected second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, yet the Rangers primarily deployed him on the third line.

When Filip Chytil was healthy and before Alexis Lafrenière earned a spot in the top six, the Rangers’ “Kid Line” was dynamic. At times, the trio’s skillset was on full display, leaving many questioning why they were never given a chance to play together in a top-six role.

Part of the challenge was the Rangers’ depth. Established stars like Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider dominated the wing positions, while Mika Zibanejad anchored the top line at center. The addition of Vincent Trocheck further solidified the center position. Even when Andrew Copp joined the lineup briefly, the young forwards struggled to break into the top six.

Despite this, the “Kid Line” consistently brought energy and contributed offensively. Their impact was evident during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they drove the offense after the top players faltered against the Devils. Even during the Rangers’ runs to the Conference Finals, the trio proved they could deliver under pressure.

Kakko Was Getting Frustrated with the Rangers

Kakko was showing growth with a 40-point campaign (18 goals and 22 assists), all career highs playing on the third line. Again injuries did not help his cause the following season, but he was one of the best players the Rangers had along the boards and in tight areas. That was always one of the best things about his game, protecting the puck.

Kakko found himself singled out on several occasions. He was a healthy scratch in Game 6 of both the 2022 and 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, raising questions about his role on the team.

The breaking point came on December 15, 2024, in a game against the St. Louis Blues. Following that, Kakko voiced his frustration publicly ahead of the Rangers’ matchup with the Nashville Predators on December 17, 2024.

“I was surprised, yeah,” Kakko said via Mollie Walker of The New York Post. “I know you got to do something as a coach when you’re losing games, but I think it’s just easy to pick a young guy and boot him out. That’s how I feel, to be honest.”

“Haven’t been on the ice too much when [opponents] score a goal… I have not been the worst guy, but that was me out of the lineup,” Kakko continued.

The Rangers Moved Him On to the Kraken

Then he had the lowest amount of ice time before being traded to the Kraken the next day. It was no surprise the trade came. In 333 career games with the Rangers, he recorded 132 points (62 goals and 70 assists). So it was time, and he knew it was time. 

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Now he gets a fresh start with the Seattle Kraken. Already in three games, he has a goal, and head coach Dan Bylsma is playing Kaapo Kakko in the top six and on the power play. You can see the confidence coming back to the player. 

Kakko could be another cautionary tale of misusing your young prospects. Just look at what happened to Nino Niederreiter after he left the New York Islanders. He turned into a very good NHL player. 

However, there is a belief within the Kraken organization there is a hidden gem that has not been found. That is what happens when the player’s timeline and the team’s timeline do not match. Expect to see a new and improved Kaapo Kakko moving forward with the Seattle Kraken. 

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