Kaapo Kakko is in a goal swarm. Despite that, the Finn has to settle for games in the New York Rangers’ third chain. I can’t complain, says Kakko to Yle.
When the New York Rangers have played lately, the games have often offered blue and white joys.
The team’s Finnish attacking promise has indeed delivered in December. Kaapo Kakko’s fourth season in the NHL has all the potential to be his strongest.
After five goals in the last eight games, it is only a matter of time before the 21-year-old beats his goal record of ten complete hits. So far this season, it has been 9+6 in 35 games for the winger.
– I have tried to shoot more than in the first year and to be straighter overall, because there is less time and space here than in Finland, Kakko tells Yle Sports.
– I have to come to shots more often. That’s something that people tell me all the time.
Inefficient start to the season
Several of his teammates get significantly more chances to sweep the puck in. The reason is that Kakko is currently not allowed to play in Rangers’ first five on the power play.
– We in the other power play five have had quite a few minutes, it is hardly the case that you can talk about minutes. It’s more about the first line scoring goals, or we try to get a direct attack in time.
– But I can’t complain. You don’t need to make changes when the boys are playing so well.
Meanwhile, the TPS product is a bit disappointed with its fall in the chain hierarchy. After starting the season in the top five with stars Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, Kakko is now found in the third chain.
– It felt good to play with the guys in the first chain and the chemistry worked, but the efficiency was lacking. That’s why I’m in the third fifth now.
In his current chain, his aim has been fine, but:
– Of course it’s fun to net, but I’m not playing as well as at the beginning of the season. The playing time has decreased and I don’t get as many chances as before.
It was not so unexpected that things would come loose in the line with Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafreniere. In addition, Rangers have won eight of the last nine games.
– We played well together already in the spring, so it was expected that we would be paired together. And when the team wins matches, you don’t need to make changes.
In this week’s episode of the NHL podcast, Anders Nordenswan and Mattias Simonsen discuss the New York Rangers and Kaapo Kakko.
