2019 second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko hasn’t burst out of the gates to start his NHL career as many expected he would, but those who have paid close attention to both the New York Rangers and the young Finnish forward could clearly tell the steady progress Kakko has made since his difficult rookie season. In an overview of New York Rangers training camp and preseason performances, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple writes that Kakko is now “the unquestioned RW1” on Broadway. (subscription link)
It’s a major opportunity for Kakko, who looks poised to move from a “kid line” next to fellow youngsters Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafrenière. As things stand, Kakko looks slated to begin the season playing right wing on the Rangers’ first-line, next to franchise first-line center Mika Zibanejad and former 50-goal scorer Chris Kreider. With this opportunity, it’s easy to envision a second consecutive season where Kakko sets career-highs in production, as last season he managed a career-best 18 goals and 40 points.
Some other notes from Manhattan:
- Another Ranger who has had an impressive preseason is summer signing Erik Gustafsson. According to Staple, Gustafsson has “seemingly won the sixth defense spot with ease.” 2019 68th overall pick Zac Jones has been Gustafsson’s primary competition for the role, but seeing as Gustafsson scored 42 points last season and has familiarity with new head coach Peter Laviolette, it’s no surprise that Gustafsson beat out Jones. Gustafsson’s assumed victory does cast some doubt over Jones’ long-term future in New York, though, as he is waiver-eligible for the first time. Cap constraints may cause the Rangers to keep veteran Ben Harpur on their opening-night roster over Jones, and since Jones remains a well-regarded prospect who scored 31 points in the AHL last season, he could be a popular name on the waiver wire.
- In net, the Rangers could be staring down a difficult situation behind superstar starter Igor Shesterkin. Veteran netminder Jonathan Quick is one of the defining goalies of the past generation of hockey, but now at 37 years old time has started to catch up to him. Quick struggled to the tune of an .882 save percentage last season, and the athleticism that he relied on to make him one of the NHL’s best goalies in his prime has begun to seriously deteriorate. While there was some hope that highly regarded Rangers goalie guru Benoit Allaire would help Quick rebound, Quick posted a grisly .807 save percentage in the preseason. Staple writes that Quick “should have some options for a couple of starts in the first two months.” But if he fails to improve, the Rangers could quickly be in need of a new backup goalie early in 2023-24.
NYR better get a solid return for Jones. He’s gonna be a legit player for another team
Just like Nils Lundqvist, right? If Jones was good enough, he would be on the team.
Kakko, Lafreniere, And Chytil are ALL busts thus far, Quick is the perfect backup if you don’t actually have to put him in a game.
Lol busts yeah right
2019: Kakko is ready to go, gonna be great right out of the gate!
Result: 2019 was not good.
2020: Kakko is ready and raring to go, totally gonna put it together!
Result: 2020 was not good.
2021: Kakko is totally prepared, he’s got this now, can’t miss!
Result: 2021 was not good.
2022: Kakko is really on the ball now, gonna really show what he can do!
Result: 2022 was not good.
He missed half of the 2020 and 2021 seasons with an injury
I’m not one to talk up NYR but Kakko has improved a lot. He’s not a true 1RW but he’s ready for more than 3rd line duties.
Knowing Laviolette, having watched him run various prospects with the Caps into the ground over the last three years, Kakko will start on the first line. Then be demoted in a few games, then get 6 minutes per game, then be a healthy scratch for weeks. He totally ruined Connor McMichael’s confidence, who regained it, after being a very important part of Hershey’s Calder Cup run, playing in all situations.
Have fun, Rangers fans. Laviolette will ruin any youngsters you have, till Drury decides to can him.
Rangers already waived Harpur…
Waiving a player does not mean automatic assignment to the minors. It just opens up the option.
“Time has started to catch up with him?” Ethan, Ethan, Jonathan Quick’s been done as a star for five years now; he’s had just one respectable season in that time. Deciding to ditch Jaro Halak for Quick does not show up Drury well.