New York Rangers right winger Kaapo Kakko reportedly has signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract extension with the team, the same number as his qualifying offer, according to Chris Johnston of The Athletic.
While the Rangers saw a big leap from former No. 1 pick Alexis Lafreniere this past season, Kaapo Kakko was another young player who was expected to improve in an increased role. That did not happen, as early in the year Kakko was taken off of the top line alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider in favor of veteran Blake Wheeler.
Kakko played in 61 regular season games for the Rangers this year, scoring 13 goals and recording six assists for 19 points in those games, according to NHL.com. That was a disappointing season, given that Kakko had 40 points the 2022-2023 season and was healthy enough to play in all 82 games. That was one more point than Alexis Lafreniere's 39 from the 2022-2023 season. The thought was that both of those wingers could take top six roles and increase production. Lafreniere took advantage, while Kakko did not.
During the season, Kakko suffered a lower-body injury that required him to miss 21 games. Even though he does not have the scoring touch that many expected when he was selected with the No. 2 pick in 2019 by the Rangers, he does provide value from a defensive and puck possession standpoint. When taking into account the $2.4 million price tag independent of draft status, Kakko is not a bad player to have. Still, the prevailing thought heading into the offseason was that Kakko was a prime trade candidate, especially after he was a healthy scratch in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers. This new deal leaves questions regarding Kakko's future with the Rangers.
What does Kaapo Kakko's new deal mean for his Rangers future?
Although the new contract would make some believe that the Rangers and Chris Drury are planning to keeping Kakko next season. However, this does not change much, according to Rangers reporter Vince Mercogliano of USA Today. Rangers president Chris Drury could still decide that a change is best.
After losing to the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final in six games, there are valid questions regarding whether or not the Rangers can win a Stanley Cup with the roster as currently constructed. Players like Mika Zibanejad and Jacob Trouba especially have received criticism from the fans for their performances in the playoffs.
That is up for Drury to decide, but for the most part, the core players on the roster are locked in for at least the next few years and the cap space is tight for the next two years in particular. Drury could make some tough decisions, and trading Kakko could be one of them, although it would not be the biggest.
New York's offseason wish list includes a top-line right winger, and the actions of the team over the past few years indicate that they do not believe Kakko fits that role. A two-way center for Filip Chytil insurance, along with a puck-moving defenseman and bottom six depth are also on the list, according to Mercogliano.
The fact is, Kakko was a restricted free agent going into this offseason, so this contract was a necessary step, whether or not Chris Drury envisions him on the roster next season.
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