Jason Chen and Michael Amato understand patience is running thin on Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, but maybe just need a wee bit more patience.
The Sleepers and Keepers fantasy hockey podcast hosts Jason Chen and Michael Amato both acknowledge that it seems like we've been talking about a potential breakout for Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko forever.
Both players showed flashes of their potential playing on the 'Kid Line' with Filip Chytil, and the hope was that the 2023-24 season would be the season Lafrenière and Kakko would finally figure it out.
Lafrenière had scored just 91 points through his first three seasons, while Kakko had scored 98 points through his first four. For the two lottery picks, with Lafrenière selected first overall in 2020 and Kakko second overall in 2019, they had fallen well short of expectations.
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It's easy to forget, though, that Lafrenière and Kakko are only are 22 and 23 years old, respectively. In a contract year next season, perhaps Lafrenière can take his game to yet another level. He's already shown some improvement this season.
Kakko, who is an RFA at the end of the season, has seen his numbers dip across the board and a change of scenery might be in store for. He's playing a checking line role with Will Cuylle and Jonny Brodzinski, which is probably not what the Rangers had envisioned when they drafted him.
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