With lofty expectations on the horizon for the former 2nd overall draft selection, Kaapo Kakko displayed his strengths in Tuesday's 4-2 preseason victory over the Islanders.
New York City, NY- A cold fall day and "Potvin Sucks" chants raining down from the New York faithful. There was no better atmosphere for the New York Rangers to jump back into action following a 3-0 preseason loss to the Bruins on Sunday.
Kaapo Kakko didn't waste any time establishing himself in the Rangers exhibition match, 15 seconds after the puck drop he scored to put the urbanites up over the suburbanites. Pitlick and Kreider also scored in the first 3:10 of the hockey game to take an early 3-0 lead.
The young Finn had jump, a goal off of a turnover, and constantly moved the puck north as part of the new playbook. In the offensive zone, he stuck to his game by cycling and possessing.
The difference from his career-benchmark 2023 campaign; Kakko was fast, efficient, and created on the rush with linemates Vincent Trocheck and Brennan Othmann. He made quicker decisions and moved the puck off his stick, maintaining his keep-away brand.
The triad generated opportunities off the rush. When chances were missed, Kakko relied comfortably on his strengths. He isn't a player who has a lot of foot speed like some of his counterparts, but that's what this system is designed for, game speed not foot speed.
Peter Laviolette spoke about Kakko's performance, noting his strength in possession, "There was a shift where he had the puck on his stick in the offensive zone for 40 seconds. He has the ability to do that. He has the speed, the size, and the creativity to hang on to pucks and find and make somehting happen offensively."
He also praised his ability to create chances out of nothing, " The crystal clear plays are the easy ones to see and make.. but when you have a player that has the ability to create, that can become a really dangerous player and you saw glimpses of that tonight."
A successful season is a work of art, it starts with a a sketch. Some erasing and penciling in. The Rangers and Kakko displayed the potential of their pretty piece on Tuesday evening.
The club continues its preseason schedule on Thursday, September 28th against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden.
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