Trade Rumours Swirl as Kaapo Kakko Calls Out the Rangers Over Healthy Scratch
Speculation has surrounded Kaapo Kakko for quite some time in New York, and now he's called out the team, prompting even more rumours about his departure.
The New York Rangers season has gone from bad to worse in recent times, with the team being just 3-10-0 in their last 13 overall games, prompting speculation that a big trade could be coming.
That speculation only intensified when the team healthy scratched Kaapo Kakko over the weekend, with the 23-year old potentially on the move ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline.
Now, the former No. 2 overall pick has reacted to the move with utter confusion, as he brings up the point that he is not often on the ice when opponents score, something that a +10 differential this season would support.
«Haven't been on the ice too much when [opponents] score a goal I have not been the worst guy, but that was me out of the lineup.»
This also brings up the point of a double standard within the organization, as the likes of Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad surprisingly have much worse numbers than Kakko at 5v5 this season.
According to New York Post reporter Mollie Walker, Kakko was utterly dejected when addressing the media for the first time since the scratch, and when he was asked about talking to the coaches about his situation, this is how he reacted:
«I'm not going to do that,» he said. «They're going to say if they have something to say, but I'm not going there.»
Reportedly when the team scratched him and he asked Rangers coaches what he could do, their response was very simple and idiotic:
He needs to do something.
Was Kaapo Kakko surprised?
"I was surprised, yeah. I know you got to do something as a coach when you're losing games, but I think it's just easy to pick a young guy and boot him out. That's how I feel, to be honest."
Head coach Peter Laviolette on the message to Kaapo Kakko:
"I'll probably keep those messages between him and I. I think it's OK to be frustrated, it's OK to be upset. Everybody wants to play, I get that 100%. I understand that."
What would he say in response to Kakko's notion that it's easier to scratch a young guy than a veteran?
"There's been older players who have sat out, as well. The decisions that I make, they're tough decisions. Our team, Kaapo, our team - we need to play better. We're 3-10 in our 13 games and that's not good enough. We need to play a better brand of hockey, all of us."
"I'll probably keep those messages between him and I. I think it's OK to be frustrated, it's OK to be upset. Everybody wants to play, I get that 100%. I understand that."
What would he say in response to Kakko's notion that it's easier to scratch a young guy than a veteran?
"There's been older players who have sat out, as well. The decisions that I make, they're tough decisions. Our team, Kaapo, our team - we need to play better. We're 3-10 in our 13 games and that's not good enough. We need to play a better brand of hockey, all of us."
With just over 13 minutes of ice time a game, Kakko has been very solid in New York this season, but with the team and player now both clearly running out of patience, it's a matter of when, not if he's moved out of the Big Apple.
Latest 10 stories
