WA-NYR-TradeRumours After getting scratched out of the lineup for Team Finland’s 5-1 loss to Team USA, Kaapo Kakko came back with a vengeance on Saturday afternoon. Finland went on to defeat Team Sweden 4-3 in overtime as Kakko was a critical part of that victory. Kakko went from being benched to playing on Finland’s first line alongside Mikko Rantanen and Aleksander Barkov. Finland coach Antti Pennanen was so impressed with Kakko’s play to start the game that he decided to elevate him in the lineup. “Started really well & so that was the one reason why we put him the first line and some fresh legs, & he can win the battles,” Pennanen said. The 24-year-old forward recorded 13:13 minutes while getting an important assist in the third period. Kakko has thrived since the New York Rangers traded him to the Seattle Kraken in December and now he’s displaying his talents in a best-on-best tournament, showing that his recent improvement is no fluke. After so many years of disappointment and frustration, Kakko is finally starting to turn things around and it’s good to see.
