The New York Rangers signed winger Kaapo Kakko to a one-year, $2.4 million contract in their first move since losing to the Florida Panthers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. The 23-year-old winger has been plagued by injuries over his first five seasons but could be a key contributor for the team next season.
Kakko's play this season
Kako took a big step forward in the 2022-23 season, playing in all 82 games and setting career highs in goals (18) and assists (22) while spending most of the season on the third line. He spent very little time on the ice with a man advantage and all but three of his 40 points came at even strength. He was also very good defensively at even strength.
This season, Kako had the opportunity to play on the top six line with Mika Zibandjied and Chris Kreider. The line was very good defensively, but the entire team struggled offensively, and Kako was demoted to the third line. He recorded two goals and one assist in his first 20 games, but suffered a lower-body injury on November 27 and subsequently missed seven weeks.
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Kako returned to the lineup in January and played well on the third line, scoring a goal in his second game back in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. He was a reliable defensive contributor and contributed offensively, recording 11 goals and five assists in 41 games since returning from injury. He averaged just 13 minutes, 17 seconds of ice time per game this season.
Caco began the playoffs on the third line with Alexander Wennberg and Will Caille. He scored a goal in a 4–2 win that swept the Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs. The line struggled to score against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, but had some very strong shifts in the offensive zone. This was especially noticeable as the Rangers struggled to maintain pressure at even strength in the offensive zone.
Head coach Peter Laviolette decided to leave Kako out of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Panthers, then brought him back in for Game 3. Kako went scoreless in his five games in the series, with the Rangers limited to just 12 points in six games. Kako finished the playoffs with one goal and one assist in 15 games, averaging just 12:07 ice time per game.
Kakko's role and contract
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, expectations were sky-high for Kako and he faced plenty of criticism during his first five seasons with the Rangers. While he never developed into the star the team once hoped he would be, he was valuable and looked very impressive in 2022-23.
Kako is strong on the puck and his line was able to apply sustained pressure on the forecheck in the playoffs this season. He also backchecks and uses his stick to get into shooting and passing lanes in the defensive zone. He used to take penalty kicks with the Rangers but did not do so this season. It is an area of the game where he can definitely contribute. Kako is good defensively but has struggled to convert scoring chances and has had several long slumps.
Despite his scoring struggles, Caco is a contributor for the Rangers, and his one-year deal for just $2.4 million is a great deal for the team. He's a reliable player defensively and has proven he can be a consistent offensive contributor in 2022-23. He struggled on the team's first line, but in reality, so did the other players Laviolette played with Zibanejad and Kreider.
Kako's name has been mentioned in trade rumors, but he's not worth much considering he missed the playoffs for just the second time in his career. Keeping him around gives the 23-year-old winger a chance to contribute next season while also increasing his own value. If he plays like he did in 2022-23, his contract could be a bargain.
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Kako will enter next season in a similar position to where Alexis Lafreniere was this season. Lafreniere responded with a breakout season and the Rangers are hoping Kako can do the same next season. He may get another chance to crack the top six, but he should at least be a solid third liner and part of the penalty kill unit next season.
