Former New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko was traded to the Seattle Kraken following a public expression of frustration over his limited playing time. Kakko's comments after being a healthy scratch sparked speculation about his future with the Rangers.
Less than 24 hours after the Finnish winger aired out his grievance with his healthy scratch on December 15th to the media, Kakko was traded to the Seattle Kraken . After Kakko’s six seasons with the organization that drafted him second overall in 2019, however, it was clear it Kakko never quite seized the few opportunities he was given, but the Rangers also didn’t exactly give him a long leash to figure it out or actively look to increase his role over the years.
Rangers’ biggest problem can’t be solved with minor roster changes. His reaction may not have been the sole reason for his departure, but it certainly expedited the process. “I don’t think it’s because of that,” Kakko said in his introductory Zoom call for the Kraken on Thursday. “The team was playing not well enough. A lot of good players over there. Need to do something over there. I was kind of something is going to happen, and then I knew also it might be me. Kind of was waiting. Something is going to happen. It’s kind of a surprise when it’s going to be you and happens fast.“Those comments, I was kind of frustrated. I was honest, and that’s what I thought at the time. Lot of great players over there. It’s a hard decision who is going to be out. There’s guys playing PK and PP, and I wasn’t in both of those, so I kind of get it also. But everyone wants to play. That’s what I wanted also.” Kakko was in the hotel sauna in Dallas when he realized he had three missed calls from Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury. Asked if he had ever asked for a trade out of New York, Kakko didn’t explicitly say yes or no.“There were maybe talks about that,” Kakko said. “I always loved my time in New York, all those years. But also, especially after last year, it was kind of a bad year for me. I wasn’t good enough, to be honest. But there were a lot of games I felt I can maybe get on the ice a little more and get the chance to show what I can do.. I think I said earlier, it’s a good team over there. It’s hard for the coaches als
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