Kaapo Kakko 13 points in 14 games after getting traded from NYR to SEA

[ijuka]

Almost a point per game playing on a new team, on their first line. During the year 2025 thus far, he also leads the team in scoring with 10 points in 9 games. Also, for the record, his xGF% is 53.53% when #2 on Kraken is at 50.46% and his 5on5 PDO is only 1.012 and his offensive zone start % is only 41.38% meaning he's mainly been receiving defensive assignments.

Isn't it interesting how on Rangers he was kept on the 3rd line and lamented for his lack of production, but now that he plays on the first line for Seattle Kraken, he has first line production? And let's recall Rangers treated him as a cap dump for the trade, receiving negative value, and he's a 23yo RFA.

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[Frank Drebin]

post trade bump or poorly evaluated player for 6 years?

 

[Juxtaposer]

post trade bump or poorly evaluated player for 6 years?

Both.

 

[WarriorofTime]

So what kinda contract with Seattle offer and Kakko sign?

 

[Bounces R Way]

And the Rangers traded him for Billy Borgen

 

[urho]

I'd hold my horses. He's looking good right now but sometimes there's a honeymoon phase with the new team. However, he does have the talent and he himself said that it's all about confidence for him. He felt like the Rangers didn't trust him and he needed to play mistake free hockey. In Kraken, they're telling him he's good and they're willing to give him the minutes even if he makes a mistake here and there. He's feeling it and performing. Let's see if it can last.

 

[ColbyChaos]

New York is where players hopes and dreams go to die

 

[Stringer Bell]

Peter Mueller almost destroyed the league in Colorado after being traded from Phoenix. Even better than Wolski after being traded from Colorado!

It’s a bit early.

 

[Satan]

Peter Mueller almost destroyed the league in Colorado after being traded from Phoenix. Even better than Wolski after being traded from Colorado!

It’s a bit early.

he wouldve kept scoring too if his brain didnt turn to mush

 

[Albatros]

I'd hold my horses. He's looking good right now but sometimes there's a honeymoon phase with the new team.

Well, he joined middle of a Western road trip right before Xmas, that's hell of a honeymoon.

 

[Bozo Nicholson]

And the Rangers traded him for Billy Borgen

Lol who in the sweet baby Jesus is Billy Borgen?

 

[Aurinko]

Combination of things. Like many have noted, he did have good advanced stats even in the Rangers, and he was likely more a fan favorite than the villain as well.

The truth comes out much later, like it often comes in hockey. I have my money on the Rangers ANCIENT management and leadership culture having something to do with this.

 

[Devonator]

I never saw this coming? I thought he just wasn't very good. Hope he can continue being successful.

 

[kthx]

Insane fumble, once again.

 

[pelderhostiga]

I know this is an oversimplification, but the Rangers are one of the worst teams in the league in developing talent. New York has always attracted players and UFAs, so they've never had problems bringing in players who have already established themselves. I think most of their top players have come from other organizations for years.

Coming from the same city as Kakko and Rantanen, I often find myself comparing these two big body forwards to each other. I wonder would Rantanen ever have become elite if he hadn't played top line minutes in the AHL and in the worst team in the NHL first, with MacKinnon as his center. What would Rantanen look like now if he had been put on the third line of a confrence finalist team to play 0-0 straight after transitioning to North America?

Kakko is now getting the same treatment as Rantanen for the first time in his NA career. He's getting to play top line minutes with room to grow and room for mistakes in an underperforming organization with an ambitious potential superstar center. Sure, the sample size is small and Kakko still has probelms in his game he has to figure out, but he's only turning 24. He might still easily become a very good player.

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Next bennett ?

 

[Mulletman]

Kakko is just on a sugar high. His points will come down once his blood sugar normalizes...

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I still think he tops as a second liner in his prime , Rongos are dumb

 

[D Wakaluk]

We already heard it stems from manufactured TOI, move on people

 

[MisterY]

Lol who in the sweet baby Jesus is Billy Borgen?

The singer of Smashing Pumpkins…

 

[Legion34]

Peter Mueller almost destroyed the league in Colorado after being traded from Phoenix. Even better than Wolski after being traded from Colorado!

It’s a bit early.

Lee Stempniak.
Jiri tlusty

Plenty of players can have a hot 15 games.

 

[Zub]

Yeah he's been solid, but lets not get ahead ourselves with the media's hype. Lets see if he can put up the numbers through this season consistenly first.

 

[TGWL]

How the speed down in Kraken? I'm sure with Kakko not being a fast player and now not having to play with others who are also not fast skaters, probably ends up being a plus for his game. Hope it continues to work out for him. It wasn't happening here. No need to be bitter about it working out elsewhere.

 

[BullLund]

He was always a winning player statistically. And his 5on5 production wasn't bad for the minutes he was playing.

Add some PP time, and more responsibility on the offense in general, and it's no wonder he's scoring at a higher rate.

Not saying that he's necessarily a PPG player for a whole season but I did expect a bump if Kraken gave him a chance.