DALLAS, Texas — The Rangers traded Kaapo Kakko less than 24 hours after the Finnish wing aired out his grievance with his healthy scratch Dec. 15 to the media.
After Kakko’s six seasons with the organization that drafted him second overall in 2019, however, it was clear it wasn’t the match the two sides hoped it would be in the long run.
Kakko never quite seized the few opportunities he was given, but the Rangers also didn’t exactly give him a long leash to figure it out or actively look to increase his role over the years.
It all culminated in Kakko’s comments after the morning skate in St. Louis, where the 23-year-old’s frustrations clearly boiled over.
His reaction may not have been the sole reason for his departure, but it certainly expedited the process.
“I don’t think it’s because of that,” Kakko said in his introductory Zoom call for the Kraken on Thursday. “The team was playing not well enough. A lot of good players over there. Need to do something over there. I was kind of [thinking] something is going to happen, and then I knew also it might be me. Kind of was waiting. Something is going to happen. It’s kind of a surprise when it’s going to be you and happens fast.
“Those comments, I was kind of frustrated. I was honest, and that’s what I thought at the time. Lot of great players over there. It’s a hard decision who is going to be out. There’s guys playing PK and PP, and I wasn’t in both of those, so I kind of get it also. But everyone wants to play. That’s what I wanted also.”
Kakko was in the hotel sauna in Dallas when he realized he had three missed calls from Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury.
The trade should’ve come as a surprise to no one, especially after Kakko signed his qualifying offer — an extremely moveable contract — at $2.4 million for one season this past summer.
Asked if he had ever asked for a trade out of New York, Kakko didn’t explicitly say yes or no.
- CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND RANGERS STATS
“There were maybe talks about that,” Kakko said. “I always loved my time in New York, all those years. But also, especially after last year, it was kind of a bad year for me. I wasn’t good enough, to be honest. But there were a lot of games I felt I can maybe get on the ice a little more and get the chance to show what I can do.. I think I said earlier, it’s a good team over there. It’s hard for the coaches also. I didn’t have a contract after the last season, so I was kind of thinking, ‘What would be the best thing for me and for the team, also?’ We talked about it a little bit, but we ended up signing with the Rangers. I wanted to play for them.”
Mentioning how Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma told him he’ll get a chance and be trusted, Kakko said he’s looking forward to a fresh start.
Read the expert take on the Blueshirts
Sign up for Larry Brooks’ Inside the Rangers, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.
Thank you
Seattle general manager Ron Francis told reporters Thursday that Kakko will start out in the top six.
They also plan to find a spot for him on the power play.
“I feel [a fresh start is] what I need right now,” Kakko said. “I liked my time in New York. It was a good time. Many years over there. Great team, but I think I was waiting a little bit more myself, I think the team over there was waiting, also. It never worked out the way we wanted. It’s a new chance for me over here, and I think it’s a pretty good team over here, also. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m excited.”
