Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko Sounds Ready for Redemption
Former New York Rangers No. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko has no plans of playing anywhere but Manhattan.
The 23-year-old forward wasted no time in the offseason, signing a one-year, $2.4 million contract in mid-June that will serve as a bride, prove-it deal after a disappointing 2023-24 season.
Reflecting on his decision to re-sign with the Rangers after a season full of criticism from fans, Kakko made it clear that returning to New York was a priority for him.
"New contract, one year, hopefully, it's going to be good," Kakko said during training camp media availability on Saturday . "I wanted to come back here."
The former top-two pick from the 2019 NHL draft seems to be aiming for a fresh start after a season in which he posted just 19 points (13 goals, 6 assists) in 61 games.
What makes that production concerning is that following a healthy, breakout-type season in 2023 where he scored 40 points appearing in all 82 games, Kakko suffered injuries again and did not put up numbers on par with his draft pedigree.
Now entering his sixth NHL season, Kakko is ready to move on from last year's struggles while running out of time to prove his worth in the league.
"I try to just think about the next (season)," Kakko said. "I try to just forget the last year. I feel I always come here ready to go. I feel pretty good. I try to give the best that I can. That's all I can do."
General manager Chris Drury showed confidence in Kakko's upside when speaking to reporters at the start of training camp.
"He dealt with an injury last year and admittedly he didn't have the best year," Drury said on Tuesday, via Vince Mercogliano of USA Today . "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."
Related: Igor Shesterkin Issues Contract Warning: 'You Never Know What Can Happen'This story was originally published September 22, 2024, 6:30 AM.
