Kaapo Kakko was the third of four straight top-10 draft picks made by the New York Rangers from 2017 to 2020, with each of the previous two no longer with the organization. The club needs to recognize Kakko's value to the team currently and utilize the players skillset as opposed to dumping him off to another franchise.
There have been rumors surrounding the departure of Kaapo Kakko for the past couple of years. But none have been as loud as they have been this offseason, with Kakko’s benching in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final by head boss Peter Laviolette fueling the discourse.
Kakko’s development seems to have stalled. The breakout season from the former second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft never came. Now the 23-year-old seems in limbo, his future status with the New York Rangers organization remaining uncertain.
But should it be? Uncertain, that is? Should a young, formerly highly touted prospect be shown the door after his fifth season in the NHL, in which he’s accumulated a disenchanting 57 goals and 60 assists for 117 points in 300 career games?
The scouting report on Kakko is out. It is unlikely he becomes the top six power forward he was expected to evolve into. But who’s to say that player isn’t valuable? The point production may not jump off the page, but Kakko’s spot on the roster shouldn’t be easily re-assigned with the youngster departing as part of the circumstances.
Kakko's value
While skating and shooting are not Kakko’s strong suit, some adjustments to his decision making while possessing the puck could jumpstart his point totals. His aptitude for possessing the puck along the boards and ability to navigate through traffic are desired assets in the offensive zone.
Defensively, Kakko has also shown his worth. His 1.74 goals against per 60 minutes at 5v5 were by far the lowest on the club among players who played at least 100 minutes this season, per Natural Stat Trick. His future as a reliable defensive forward and possible elite penalty killer should give him more runway.
Instead of abandoning the player, the Rangers must figure out a way to retrieve as much value as possible from a player previously drafted second overall. The scoring touch may not be there, but games played for the organization are inherently valuable. Quality, reliable minutes on the ice are not contributions that should be easily dismissed. An adjustment to expectations needs to be made for Kakko.
An unnerving trend
The organization needs to look at Kakko through the lens of reality. A scenario similar to that of Lias Andersson, the Rangers’ 7th overall pick in the 2017 draft, unfolding with Kakko would be disadvantageous for the organization. Or does the name Vitali Kravtsov, another mismanaged high draft pick, ring a bell?
For those unfamiliar with the situation, the club traded a disgruntled Andersson to the Los Angeles Kings during the 2020 draft after Andersson failed to make a lasting impact with the Rangers and received a second round pick in return (which became Will Cuylle). Andersson, like Kakko, did not develop quite as expected, though how he handled the situation was much different than that of Kakko.
In regards to the expectations surrounding Kakko (and Andersson/Kravtsov, for that matter), the introduction of Connor McDavid in 2015 and Auston Matthews in 2016 did not accommodate the transition period for youngsters entering the league post McDavid and Matthews.
The assumption was that highly drafted players were automatic superstars, lighting up the scoresheet the moment they stepped on the ice. As fans, people forget that not all prospects are alike, not all high draft picks are guaranteed top-tier NHLers.
Take Patrik Stefan, the 1st overall pick in the 2000 NHL Draft, who’s most notable moment in the big league’s was his breakaway gaffe against the Oilers that led to an Ales Hemsky goal back in 2007. More recently was Nail Yakupov, another 1st overall pick who played a mere 350 NHL games before returning leaving for good.
The Rangers organization have two lessons to learn from this situation and this player in Kaapo Kakko: point totals and offensive ability are not the only value that can be extracted from highly drafted players, and how they deal with the situation and most importantly retain Kakko will be an indicator for developing young talent going forward.
At some point, the Rangers’ top draft picks must remain on the team, becoming staples in the lineup. Stars or not, the team must find a way to let these young players shine, in whatever way they can contribute.
