Kaapo Kakko has been thriving since the Rangers traded him to Seattle.
A significant bloc of Rangers fans were not happy about Kaapo Kakko being dealt to the Seattle Kraken.
They still are not happy.
Since leaving Seventh Avenue and West 33rd Street, the Blueshirts' one time high Draft pick has found his offensive game in the Great Northwest.
Producer-author-Kraken reporter Glenn Dryfuss has kept his Argus eyes on Double K since he arrived at Climate Pledge Arena.
Apparently the climate is more favorable on the shores of Puget Sound than Manhattan's Garment District. Our Old Pal is thriving.
"Kaapo is playing on the Kraken first line," Dreyfuss reports. "His time on the ice is up almost four minutes per game (17:02) compared with 13:17 with the Rangers.
"He's flying and his passing, especially in open ice, has been sublime. The coaching staff and teammates expressed trust in him and in boosting his confidence and they have rewarded him."
In 30 games with the Rangers, KK had four goals and ten assists. With Seattle, he's played 20 games, has four goals and 11 assists; AND with a less talented cast.
Dreyfuss: "Kaapo's presence has boosted team scoring as well. Without him it was 2.88 goals per game. With him it's up to 3.15 goals per game."
Clearly. it's a case of addition (for Kraken) by subtraction from New York. You can bet KK will be OK in Seattle for a good long while.
"He's worked his way into the team's future plans," Dreyfuss concludes, "and a new contract is a near-certainty!"