I don’t think the Rangers necessarily need to let go of Kaapo Kakko — he’s at least the kind of conscientious, effective checking winger a championship contender desperately needs — but I think it’s probably best for the Finn to leave the Rangers.
There have been so many disappointments over the past five years — five years interrupted by two major injuries — but in many ways it feels like Kako hasn’t even gotten started, despite playing 300 NHL games since being selected second overall in 2019.
Playing for a team committed to winning the Stanley Cup comes with one mistake after another, and surely a rebuilding team would be more forgiving and patient with mistakes, and more air for a 23-year-old (who is still 23) to breathe.
It seems he needs a fresh start.
But the Rangers aren’t going to let him go that easily.
Two years ago, just before he became a restricted free agent, Caco surprisingly sat out Game 6 of the conference finals against Tampa Bay for health reasons. He said on that day that he intended to re-sign, and he did, on a two-year, $2.1 million annual contract.
Caco, who is again a restricted free agent, surprisingly sat out Game 2 of the conference finals against Florida for health reasons, but he said on Tuesday’s breakup that he likes playing here.
“I don’t know what will happen, but I like everything about it here,” the No. 24 said when asked if he saw his future in New York. “The team is great, we all want to win, and I feel like we have a chance to win.”
“It’s going to be the same thing next season, so I like it here.”
This isn’t about a ping-pong ball lottery from four years ago. This isn’t about valuing him as a former No. 2 overall pick. That became a sunk cost some time ago. Now it’s simply a matter of the Rangers figuring out how to get the most value out of Kako, who will likely get a one-year, prove-it deal for around $2.5 million.
Coach Peter Laviolette blamed himself for a disappointing season in which Kako started on the right wing alongside Mika Zibanded and Chris Kreider but failed to fully fill the role and was moved to the third line after 11 games.
“In that conversation with Kako, I took responsibility for myself, as a coach, not seeing that in him,” Laviolette said after saying he believes Kako has top-six caliber. “I think he’s a good player and we all wanted him to step up.
“My responsibility as a coach is to unlock these guys. I hope that everyone does, but some of them don’t, so I have to think of a better way to get him on the team. I have a responsibility to him too, what he brings to the team and what he brings to the game.”
On the day of the breakup, Caco was a bundle of responsibility. He mentioned the opportunities that the camp gave him. In fact, Caco was given two chances to play the position this year, playing the first 11 games at the position, then auditioning for six games in late February when he returned from a serious leg injury. Kreider and Zibanejad have played at least 150 minutes at 5-on-5 with seven right wingers in the past three seasons. The Caco duo has scored 2.04 goals per 60 minutes, which is 1.02 fewer goals per 60 minutes than the other trio.
“I came here for this season, and I feel pretty good with a new coach and a new opportunity,” Kako said. “I talked to him after the summer and he told me I’d get a chance to play with Mika and Kreiz, so I felt pretty good about that.”
“But all the games we played together, it didn’t go that well. If you play that amount of time, you have to score goals and I don’t think that line scored that many. I can’t say we didn’t have chances. If I was a good enough player, it wouldn’t have mattered who I was with.”
In fact, there were two attempts on goal in the first 11 games. Of course, the unit has only allowed one. No one has ever accused Kakko of being negligent defensively of the puck. He’s a hard worker. He wins pucks. Of course, that hasn’t translated into putting the puck in the net.
Again, put Kako on the right side of the checkline and there’s no need to worry. But is that what he wants? Is it best for his career? Is it his chance to be his best self? When it comes to planning for his future, what reason do we have to think that it’s going to happen here and now?
But the Blueshirts can’t afford to give up valuable players for charity. You saw their depth collapse during this time. There’s no way GM Chris Drury would move Kako in exchange for a second or third round pick, or a prospect or doubter. That’s not the way this team should operate.
I expect Kako to be available and part of a larger deal if it happens. It’s been four years and five seasons since the ping pong ball popped, and it’s time to move on.
