Kaapo Kakko signed an extension with the New York Rangers, essentially accepting his qualifying offer of $2.4 million for a single year. This gets him under contract for the upcoming season and gives Peter Laviolette and his coaching staff a chance to find a way to help him break through into the player we all thought he would be when he was drafted second overall by the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL entry draft.
Kakko's struggles in New York have been well documented. Under the three coaches the Rangers have had since he came into the league, he has not looked like a second-overall pick of them. Under David Quinn, he looked like he was rushed to the NHL. Perhaps the pace and intensity of the North American game was not what the youngster was expecting. He looked overwhelmed early, but that has changed in recent years with other coaches.
Under Gerard Gallant, Kakko had bright moments. That kid line with Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil had some of the best moments the Rangers have had in this window. That series against Carolina, where those three were the ultimate difference in 2022, could have been a big breakout moment for Kakko. Still, he could never seize the moment and continue progressing like he's shown flashes of doing. It's frustrating for the coaches and fans.
Under Peter Laviolette this season, Kakko had moments. After returning from the gruesome leg injury, he looked better than he did prior, with a lot of production coming after the 20-game absence. There is still hope that Kakko will find a way to take that next step because there is no denying the talent is there. It's just figuring out how to unlock the monster that could be. He'll be here next year, so let's see if this is the year he finally breaks out.