Rangers’ Star Goalie Predicts Kaapo Kakko Will Be the Next Young Player to Break Out
Kaapo Kakko, drafted second overall by the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, has yet to live up to expectations. Despite showing promise during the 2022-23 season with 40 points in 82 games, Kakko regressed last season, recording just 19 points in 61 games. With the Rangers having reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice in the last three seasons, some believe their Stanley Cup window is closing as key players age. However, star goaltender Igor Shesterkin disagrees, asserting that young talent like Kakko could break out and extend the team’s championship prospects. Shesterkin believes Kakko has the potential to become a star but needs more trust from head coach Peter Laviolette.
In a recent interview, Shesterkin shared his view on the Rangers’ future, emphasizing that the team’s Cup window could remain open beyond the next two years, particularly if a player like Kakko begins to shine. Shesterkin noted that Kakko possesses all the qualities needed for NHL success, including his practice habits, playing style, and personality. However, Shesterkin pointed out that Kakko lacks the trust of Laviolette. Last season, Laviolette initially placed Kakko on the Rangers’ top line, but the experiment faltered as the line of Kreider-Zibanejad-Kakko struggled offensively. Laviolette ultimately blamed Kakko and demoted him to the third line, where he remained for the rest of the season. Shesterkin believes that for Kakko to have a breakout season and fulfill his potential as a star, he cannot remain a bottom-six player. Although Kakko has become a reliable defensive forward on the third line, significant point production is more likely to come from playing alongside the Rangers’ top stars on the first or second line. To earn that opportunity, Kakko must regain Laviolette’s trust this season.
Kaapo Kakko
As the new season approaches, all indications suggest that Kakko will once again start on the Rangers’ third line. Alexis Lafreniere is expected to continue as the second-line right wing, while newly acquired Reilly Smith will take on the top-line right wing role. This outcome isn’t terrible for Kakko, as he performed well defensively last season alongside Filip Chytil/Jonny Brodzinski and Will Cuylle. However, Shesterkin believes this role isn’t enough for Kakko to truly shine. If Smith struggles on the top line, Laviolette might demote him to the third line, potentially giving Lafreniere a chance on the top unit and Kakko another opportunity in the top six with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Those two could be the key to Kakko’s breakout, but the likelihood of him getting that chance remains slim, making a third-line role the most probable scenario for Kakko this season.
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