The New York Rangers face a pivotal moment with their winger. Will this season lead to a Kaapo Kakko contract extension, or could it mark the end of his time with the team? Rangers GM Chris Drury recently expressed public support for Kakko, the underperforming Finnish forward who has yet to meet the expectations of being a second overall pick. But was Drury’s statement genuine, or was he signaling to the other 31 GMs?
Drury on Kakko: "He dealt with an injury last year & admittedly he didn't have the best year… Another guy that had a terrific offseason and in early testing just looks great. I think he's out to prove that last year was a fluke, and he's ready to have a good year for us." #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 17, 2024
The Situation Surround the Kaapo Kakko Contract Extension
Kaapo Kakko arrived in New York City in 2019 with significant fanfare, heralded as one of the most promising players in recent memory. The Rangers had just committed to a full rebuild, and Kakko, selected second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, was seen as the face of this new era. His arrival was celebrated by the city.
As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, however, Kakko has struggled to live up to those high expectations. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, the winger—who was considered more NHL-ready than first overall pick Jack Hughes—has often seemed out of sync in the league. Whether due to his speed, instincts, or just bad luck, his progress has frequently stalled after moments of promise.
Take the 2022-23 season, for instance. It was viewed as Kakko’s best yet, with him playing all 82 games for the first time and notching 18 goals and 40 points, primarily at even strength. While not a true breakout, it was a positive step forward.
But the 2023-24 season was a major setback. Kakko, then 22, had a slow start, recording just two points in his first 15 games, before suffering a leg injury that kept him out from late November to early January. Rumors swirled that GM Chris Drury was gauging interest in Kakko from other teams, but no trade materialized. Instead, the Rangers extended Kakko with a one-year deal at the season’s end, keeping the young forward in New York.
What’s At Stake?
Kaapo Kakko’s future with the Rangers is at a critical juncture. While he’s known for being inconsistent, many fans would hate to see him leave. At 23 years old heading into the 2024-25 season, he still has room to develop. However, with players like Igor Shesterkin, Alexis Lafrenière, and K’Andre Miller all due for contract extensions at the season’s end, it may be hard for the Rangers to find a middle-six forward with his puck-possession skills at a reasonable price.
That said, the reality is that Kakko is running out of time. The Rangers’ lack of scoring depth late last season and in the playoffs remains a significant issue. Although the team is top-heavy, the middle and bottom-six lines are not without potential. To succeed, the Rangers need more contributions from their depth players.
Kakko could be a key part of that, especially if he stays healthy. He managed 13 goals in just 61 games last season due to a leg injury. If healthy, it’s possible he could reach the 20-goal mark. With linemates Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle, there’s reason to believe this line could thrive—Cuylle’s strength, Chytil’s speed and shoot-first approach, and Kakko’s puck-possession skills might form a formidable offensive trio.
Of course, this line’s success hinges on staying healthy. Cuylle was durable last season, but Chytil’s concussion issues and Kakko’s leg injury were concerns. If they can maintain their health and build chemistry, Peter Laviolette might be able to roll three effective offensive lines regularly.
A contract extension for Kakko should be the goal after this season, ideally one both the player and the team want equally. Any imbalance in that desire could complicate negotiations.
Is a Kaapo Kakko Contract Extension Possible?
Certainly! Here’s a paraphrased version:
Absolutely, the player has the power to reshape the narrative around his career. We saw this with Alexis Lafrenière’s breakout last season, so why couldn’t Kakko follow suit?
There are two ways to interpret Chris Drury’s comments, as reported by Vince Mercogliano from USA Today. One view is cynical, suggesting that Drury might be hyping up an inconsistent player, potentially to stir up trade interest. After all, Drury did dangle Kakko’s name during the trade deadline, so could he be trying to reignite that interest?
However, a more optimistic and perhaps more reasonable perspective is to take Drury’s comments at face value. He likely wants Kakko to succeed, just like the fans and coach Laviolette do. If Kakko steps up offensively, it strengthens the Rangers. Both Drury and Laviolette know that if Kakko improves this year, it’s one less issue to address by the trade deadline. Ideally, Drury would probably prefer this story to end with a Kakko contract extension.
Fans were ready to give up on Lafrenière before last season, but now he’s a key part of the team. Could Kakko’s story unfold the same way? The talent and draft pedigree are there; it’s just a matter of everything clicking. If it does, Kakko could secure his future with the Rangers. If not, the team will be back to square one.
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