Kraken is benefiting from Kaapo Kakko's acquisition through trade from the Rangers.

On December 18, the Kraken acquired Kakko through a trade.

Kraken is benefiting from Kaapo Kakko's acquisition through trade from the Rangers.
Kraken is benefiting from Kaapo Kakko's acquisition through trade from the Rangers.

Kaapo Kakko, the right-winger of the Seattle Kraken, is beginning to feel comfortable with his new team.

Despite being chosen with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers, Kakko failed to live up to expectations and never became the superstar executives predicted.

In his time with the Rangers, he never achieved more than 40 points in a season (18 goals, 22 assists in 2022-2023).

Kaapo Kakko with toy salmon
Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko, #84, throws a toy sockeye salmon to fans following a victory against the Utah Hockey Club at Climate Pledge Arena. (Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images)

Kakko had four goals and 10 assists in 30 games this season, averaging 13:17 minutes of ice time per game. Despite playing on the third line, he did not receive regular power play minutes.

On Dec. 15, Kakko was healthy scratched by Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette, and then he was traded to the Kraken a few days later. The Kraken acquired Kakko in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen and their third and sixth-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. Now, Kakko is finally receiving consistent first-line minutes and producing with the Kraken.

Kakko, who plays alongside left-winger Jaden Schwartz and center Matty Beniers, has eight points (three goals, five assists) in 11 games.

Kaapo Kakko in action
Seattle Kraken forward Kaapo Kakko, #84, handles the puck against the Vancouver Canucks in the third period at Rogers Arena. (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Recently, Kakko has been receiving more consistent power play minutes and is averaging 15:58 seconds of ice time per game, which is three minutes more than he was getting with the Rangers. In his past seven games, the 23-year-old has performed exceptionally well, scoring seven points (two goals, five assists).

Kakko, a teenager, had a lot of success on the international stage. He won gold at the IIHF U18 World Championship in 2018 and won gold in both the World Junior Championship and World Championship in 2019, when he was 17 and 18 years old. Kakko will also be playing for Team Finland in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, which will give him a chance to showcase his skills in the best-on-best international tournament.

In three tournaments, Kakko scored 12 goals and had 10 assists in a total of 24 games.

Kaapo Kakko celebrates goal
Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko, #84, celebrates his second goal of the game with teammates during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. ( Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

The 4 Nations Face-Off from Feb. 12-20 will feature competition between Finland, Canada, Sweden, and the United States.

Kakko will focus on settling in and contributing to his new team until the tournament starts.

On Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET, the Kraken will face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their next game.

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by Ryan Canfield

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