This could be a career-changing season for the Rangers' Finnish Phenom. Kaapo Kakko should be a solidified top-six winger in the 2023-24 season, let's see what he can do with the opportunity.
This could be a career-changing season for the Rangers' Finnish Phenom. Kaapo Kakko should be a solidified top-six winger in the 2023-24 season, let's see what he can do with the opportunity.
If there is one player on the New York Rangers that has the opportunity to double their point total from last season, look no further than Kaapo Kakko.
The 2022-23 season was the first time in Kakko's four-year NHL career that he played the full 82 games of the regular season. He tallied 18 goals and 22 assists for a total of 40 points which were career highs for him in all three of those categories.
Kakko has been one of the main focal points of the NHL offseason. Ranger fans and hockey fans in general, are eager to see what this kid can do when he is given consistent ice time in a more responsible role.
I spoke with a friend of mine, someone who is very well-versed in the world of fantasy hockey, Pete Jensen, the Senior Fantasy Editor for NHL.com and he gave me his thoughts on his expectations for Kakko this season. Jensen stated "With right wings Vladimir Tarasenko and potentially Patrick Kane signing elsewhere, the stage is set for Kakko to finally reach his potential — at least as a goal scorer. You can’t even call him a late-bloomer yet since he’s only 22, and his third coach, Laviolette, could be the charm. I think career highs of 25 goals and 50 points are feasible if he finally sticks in the top six at even strength."
To me, 50 points should be the bare minimum for Kakko this season, especially if he is on a line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. We saw what those three could do for a small stint last season and that was when Kakko was playing his best hockey.
The factor that might hold Kakko back this season will be determined by how much time, if any, he gets on the first power play unit.
These are the projected power play units for the Rangers to kick off the 2023-24 campaign, which wouldn't be ideal for Kakko, but you never really know where players stand when a new coaching staff comes in. Kakko only had three points last season on the man advantage, so it's not like that is where most of his production comes from. To that note, just imagine what his point totals would look like if he were getting consistent time on the first unit.
I have a ton of faith that Kakko can find more of a scoring touch this season, making me believe that he will score a total of 26 goals, increasing that number from the 18 he had last season. If he's getting consistent top-six minutes, the assists are bound to rack up as well.
This might be my hottest take going into the season, but I truly believe that Kakko could be a 60-point player.
My prediction for Kakko is 61 points (26 goals, 35 assists).
