Despite many rumors swirling on Kakko’s potential departure from the Rangers, Chris Drury still seems to believe the young forward can thrive in New York.
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
However, Rangers general manager Chris Drury shutdown those rumors and made clear that the team is committed to helping the young forward transform into the best player he can possibly be.
“We were talking about Laf at this time last year and refuting rumors that I was trying to trade him… Kaapo Kakko is still a young player… We’re going to continue to try and find everything we can do to help him reach his potential,” Drury said.
Kakko is set to become a restricted free agent this summer, which is why there has been so much noise surrounding his future in New York.
After being taken with the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kakko has failed to live up to expectations.
Five years into his career, the 23-year-old is still playing a bottom-six role while struggling to progress as a player.
This past season, Kakko had 13 goals, six assists and 19 points in 61 games.
Drury brings up Alexis Lafrenière as he was in a similar situation last year. Lafrenière was selected with the first overall pick in 2020 by the Rangers, but struggled to adjust to the NHL level through the first couple of seasons of his career.
Despite many people beginning to label Lafrenière as a bust, he just had his best statistical year, tallying 28 goals, 29 assists and 57 points.
Kakko is not at the same level as Lafrenière in terms of his intangibles as a player, but he is still young.
It’s hard to just give up on a player that was selected so high up in the draft, so it’s very reasonable to continue to be patient with Kakko and see if he can eventually reach that potential that the Rangers had for him many years ago.
At the same time though, he’s already been in the league for five seasons and seems to be regressing through certain points.
The Rangers are a win-now team and don’t have time to keep babying Kakko as he goes through growing pains.
With July 1 rapidly approaching, Drury and the Rangers have a big decision on their hands regarding Kakko’s future that will certainly not be taken lightly.
News
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to his sound, these songs are sure to remind you why the world can’t get enough of Ed Sheeran.
Table of Contents 1. Shape of You (2017) 2. Perfect (2017) 3. Thinking Out Loud (2014) 4. Castle on the Hill (2017) 5. Photograph (2015) 6. The A Team (2011) 7. Galway Girl (2017) 8. Happier (2017) 9. I Don’t…
“Chaos Erupts as Ed Sheeran Founders’ Day Concert Sells Out in Minutes: Students Fume Over Assigned Seating!”
“For two hours, Ed Sheeran mania gripped the campus,” said sophomore Lillian Sturhahn. At 12 p.m. Monday, over 17,000 members of the Duke community successfully claimed a free ticket for the Ed Sheeran concert. The concert, which will take place in…
“5’9 Leafs Prospect Braeden Kressler Grits 6’5 Habs Prospect with Thunderous Open Ice Hit!”
Photo credit: NHL Braeden Kressler put his body on the line during the Leafs-Habs Prospect Showcase, flattening a 6-foot-5 Canadiens prospect with a massive open ice hit. The 2024 Prospect Showcase in Montreal has given Leafs prospects a good opportunity…
Chris Brown’s ‘Sensational’ Reigns at No. 1 for Fifth Week on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay Chart
The song, which features Davido and Lojay, appears on Brown’s 11th album, “11:11.” Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records Chris Brown’s hit single “Sensational” featuring Davido and Lojay remains No. 1 for a fifth consecutive week on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart….
“Kelsey Plum Breaks Silence on Caitlin Clark Controversy: Is Her Response Enough to Defuse the Drama?”
Kelsey Plum (Image Credit: YouTube/Hoop LIFE) On Friday, Kelsey Plum’s Las Vegas Aces defeated Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever 78-74. However, the 30-year-old point guard sparked a row on social media for her comments during the game. In a post-game interview, Plum responded…
End of content
No more pages to load