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.

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Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Since the New York Rangers were eliminated last week, there have been rampant rumors about the Blueshirts parting ways with Kaapo Kakko.

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.

Chris Drury Shuts Down Kaapo Kakko Trade Rumors - The Hockey News New York Rangers News, Analysis and More

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.