New York Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko spoke openly at Tuesday’s practice about being healthy scratched on Sunday night. He told media, including Peter Baugh of The Athletic, that he was surprised by the decision and that he felt head coach Peter Laviolette may have been singling out the young guy. Kakko went on to say, “Nobody’s playing great right now… I haven’t been on the ice too much when they score a goal. I have not been the worst.”
Kakko’s vocal stance against his scratching ring loud on a Rangers team that’s gone 3-7-0 in their last 10 games. But his recent efforts might not be strong enough to back the pride. He has just one assist in six games since December 1st – making him one of the lowest-scoring forwards on the team in that span, next to Adam Edstrom (zero points, seven games) and Brett Berard (one point in four games). Both players have also recorded more shots, hits, and blocks than Kakko as of late – painting a clearer picture of why Laviolette opted to scratch the 2019 second-overall pick. The decision didn’t do much to change New York’s fate. They went on to lose 3-2 against St. Louis, though Berard scored the Rangers’ first goal of the game.
The lost games and hard feelings seem to be pulling both the Rangers, and their fourth-highest draft selection in club history, into a new low. Kakko is no stranger to being healthy scratched, having sat out of multiple regular season and Conference Finals games before – but he’s rarely been so vocal. His comments could drive the wedge between player and club even further, bringing more energy to trade rumors that stretch as far back as 2022. The Rangers have said they aren’t looking to make any more moves after dealing captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks, but they may need to bank on Kakko’s value sooner rather than later. He hit a low last season, netting just 19 points in 61 games after a career-high 40 points in 2022-23. And while he’s bounced back from that a bit this year with a much more promising 14 points in 29 games, he seems to be falling into old struggles once again.
New York could find reasonable replacements on the open market, with St. Louis Blues winger Brandon Saad the easiest choice. Saad has totaled 138 points in 259 games and four seasons with the Blues and tended to operate out of the team’s middle-six. The Blues have shown no hesitancy making bold moves this season – recently acquiring career-Anaheim Duck Cam Fowler – and reportedly have Saad on their trade block. The details of swapping a young, former second-overall pick for a 30-year-old would certainly be nuanced, but the trade could certainly be a quick option.
For now, any trade speculation is just that. Kakko said he’s motivated to return to the lineup, and Laviolette batted away questions about his comments. The head coach mentioned that older players have sat as well – citing Reilly Smith and Jonny Brodzinski – and that it’s okay for Kakko to be upset. Brodzinski is expected to step out of the lineup again on Tuesday to make room for Kakko’s return. Defenseman Urho Vaakanainen is also expected to make his Rangers debut on Tuesday, after being acquired in the trade that sent Trouba to Anaheim. Vaakanainen brings much-needed shutdown defense to the team that’s allowed the fifth-most goals in December. New York will hope that can prove a difference-maker before they’re forced to explore the trade market, or begin questioning more engrained veterans.
Kakko has been a bust from day one!
He’s not a bust he’s just not a #2 overall. The guys a legit NHLer who is a good top 9 player but continues to have to justify being picked 2’nd overall. We’ll that’s not his fault the rangers used that pick on him as he was always considered to be a high floor type pick from the get go not your prototypical top of the draft like the Jack Echiles of the world.
That said how about max domi and Nick Robertson’s for Kako
Quite. There are things he brings to the table, and things he does pretty well. Seattle will be glad to have him as cheaply as they did. Tolvanen 2.0, here we come.
B. U. S. T. What’s that spell?
How about Kaako to the Kings for Alex Turcotte and a pick in a swap of First Round Busts from the same draft. They both need a change of scenery.
Hell no! Turcotte is finally healthy and playing great right now!
Wow kakko doesnt do surface level stats. Like hits and blocks. But totally ignore, hes an absolute shut down defender and does pretty well. Sure he needs to learn to shoot more. But a week ago he was covering for center because he was valued up and down the lineup. Now he’s on the bench. Its bad leadership and mix messaging
Kakko has no future in NY & he has been extremely underwhelming for the most part. But don’t be surprised if he turns into a gem for his next team. Think Nichuskin but without the off ice failures.
Laviolette has always liked to play head games with players. Sure he won a Cup as a coach, but he always wears out his welcome. How do you take a team that won the Presidents Trophy one year and can’t win the next. The problem is him. It wasn’t Trouba, or Kakko, or Krieder. He’s the common denominator. Problem is who do replace him with?
All coaches wear out their welcome. Not many have coaching careers with only one team. It is strange though how a team can win the President’s cup last season and fall off a cliff the next.
Not much gets past you. However, very few wear out their welcome in the second year of their contract. Outside of his Cup with Carolina, and two conference championships he’s not a very good playoff coach. And he’s with his sixth team.
Kravstov – Liam Andersson – Kaako
What a line of top ten picks!
Oilers should be a good fit for Kaako.
Parssinen from Nashville as well…
Both players have size, talent not be utilized.
Oilers need to get younger…trade Ryan, Skinner, Arvidsson and Stetcher for starts.
Oilers could trade Stetcher, Arvidsson, Savoie, 3rd rd for Braden Schneider and Kaako
One day someone will leave him alone on a top two line with minutes and his confidence will begin to develop, along with his stats. Since day one he hasn’t been granted that luxury and it shows. Laffy got a chance last year and took advantage. Kakko needs the same opportunity. It’s not like Smith is doing anything great ahead of him.
Can’t for the life of me figure out why they keep cycling through all these retread wingers when they have a former number 2 pick sitting on the bench. He’s cheaper, and has so much more upside. The money and assets they’ve thrown at that RW position over the years are why they are in this current predicament. This is on Drury.