Remember when everyone thought Kaapo Kakko was a bigger waste of time than your Grandfather Clock?
And how many of you followers of The Beloveds, remember which knockout property the Blueshirts acquired for the esteemed Finn? (Hint: Will Borgen, once fifth in the line of Seattle defensemen.)
Maybe one of these nights we'll concede Borgy is not such a mediocre defenseman after all. Maybe.
But this much I can assure you; Finnish Flash Kakko has emerged as one of the most valuable members of Ye Not So Old Seattle Kraken.
The Maven is not kidding around either. My up-to-the-minute Kaapo conversation comes by way of Seattle-based producer-interviewer-hockey-writer-joke-laugher-at-er Glenn (Himself) Dreyfuss.
According to My Man In The Great Northwest, Kakko is a Restricted Free Agent who's almost as popular as the Pike's Place Seafood Market. (Hint: Order clams!)
"Since coming over from the Rangers," says Dreyfuss, "Kaako put up ten goals and twenty assists in 49 games. New Kraken general manager Jason Botterill is already predicting an even better 2025-26 season from the Finnish forward."
Botterill: "Kaapo knows now what to expect here in Seattle. He has familiarity with our players."
One of those frat brothers happens to be Matty Beniers, the rise and shining center. "Kakko really showed good chemistry with Matty – reading off each other," adds Botterill.
A Contract Extension Could Be Coming Soon For Kaapo Kakko With The Kraken
Kaapo Kakko has been thriving since the Rangers traded him to Seattle.
Not that Botterill is trying to show up Drury on the deal – although that's as evident as June – but the fact remains that Double K gets an AAAAA rating from Botterill:
"We knew he had the size and was strong on pucks. But some of the little plays he makes in the neutral zone – or finding teammates in the offensive zone – there's vision and playmaking skills that are higher than we originally thought."
And if you don't think Kaapo Kakko isn't a better bargain than a man called Borgen, Botterill offers this:
"I was shocked at how good a playmaker he is; strong on pucks in the offensive zone with a net front presence. Also, he has the ability to pop out in the slot and utilize his shot."
The Maven promises not to get upset if you ask: "How come Chris Drury didn't see that?"
(Jeepers, Pal Chris needs a new pair of peepers!)