New York Rangers: The future on the right wing looking good

Kaapo Kakko 

Kaapo Kakko, selected second overall in the 2019 draft, has performed well below the high, yet unrealistic expectations set for him during his rookie year, recording 23 points in 66 games with a horrific plus/minus rating of -26. Despite this, however, there is much to look forward to from Kakko next season.

By then he will have had a full year of getting adjusted not only to an entirely new hockey league, but also the cultural changes that come with moving to another country as a teenager, especially in an overwhelming city such as New York. In terms of prior success, in 2017- 2018 he recorded 38 points in 45 games in Finland’s Liiga League and in the previous season recorded 55 points in 38 games played for the Junior Liiga League.

It is also interesting to compare him to the 2nd overall pick from the previous draft,  Andrei Svechnikov  of the Carolina Hurricanes.  Born in Russia, he had the advantage of playing junior hockey in Canada.  Also a right winger, as a rookie he had a point per game rate of 0.45 compared to Kakko with 0.35. As a sophomore this season, he improved tremendously, recording 61 points in 68 games, good for 0.90 points per game.

Although it is impossible to guarantee that Kakko will improve at a similar rate, it does go to show that just a year of getting adjusted to the NHL style of play and culture is important for a young player. It’s no mystery that Coach David Quinn has repeatedly compared Kakko to Svechnikov.  Both Kakko and Svechnikov are 2nd overall picks, are right wingers and learned to play in Europe.

I would expect a tremendous improvement in Kakko’s game next season and he is still only 19.  Given that he will likely be slated in a middle six position with possible promotion to play with Panarain and Strome,  I can see Kakko becoming a 45-55 point player in just his second season.