Kaapo Kakko evolves alongside the Kraken after being traded from the Rangers

Seattle Kraken right winger Kaapo Kakko is starting to find his place with his new team.

Selected by Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft New York Rangersbut he never became the superstar he thought he would be.

The Rangers have never scored more than 40 points in a season (18 goals, 22 assists in 2022-2023).

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Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko, #84, throws a toy sockeye salmon to fans after a win over Utah Hockey Club at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Joe Nicholson-Imagn)

This season with the Rangers, Kakko has just 4 goals and 10 assists in 30 games this season, averaging just 13:17 minutes of ice time per game. The Finnish forward played on the third line and did not receive regular power play minutes.

On December 15th, Rangers manager Peter Laviolette gave Kakko a healthy scratch and then Kakko was traded to the Kraken a few days later. The Kraken acquired Kakko in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen and their third and sixth round picks. 2025 NHL draft. With the Kraken, Kakko is finally getting consistent first-line minutes and producing.

Playing alongside left winger Jaden Schwartz and center Matty Beniers, Kakko has eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 11 games.

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Seattle Kraken forward Kaapo Kakko, #84, drives the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Arena. (Bob Fried-Imagn Photos)

Kakko is getting more consistent power play minutes and is averaging 15:58 seconds of ice time per game, nearly three minutes more than he did with the Rangers. The 23-year-old has been especially good with seven points (two goals, five assists) in the last seven games.

Kakko will also play for Team Finland in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, which will give him a chance to showcase his skills at the top international tournament. Kakko had a lot of success in the international arena as a teenager. Kakko won gold at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship, and in 2019 he won gold at both the Junior World Championship and World Championship as a 17- and 18-year-old.

In these three tournaments, Kakko collected 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) in 24 games.

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Seattle Kraken right winger Kaapo Kakko, #84, celebrates his second goal of the game with his teammates during the third period against the Buffalo Sabers at KeyBank Center. (Photos by Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn)

Finland will face 4 nations against Canada, Sweden and USA from February 12th to 20th.

Kakko will continue to settle in and produce for his new team until the tournament begins.

Kraken’s next game is against Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM ET.

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