New York Rangers: Kaapo Kakko changes everything

The New York Rangers rebuild has gotten yet another cornerstone piece in Kaapo Kakko by drafting him with the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Back in 2017, the New York Rangers announced they were rebuilding. It was a tough move, but it was long overdue. However, the Rangers fortunes have turned for the best. The Rangers rebuild got its first cornerstone last week in defenseman Jacob Trouba. At the 2019 NHL Draft Lottery when they moved all the way up to number two. With that second overall pick, the Rangers have found their second cornerstone – Kaapo Kakko.

Drafting Kakko signifies the end of the initial phase of their rebuild. Their primary objective is no longer to get more prospects and draft picks. Rather, it’s to start winning games. Kakko gives the Rangers something they’ve lacked for years – a forward you can build an offense around.

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Even in his best years, Mats Zuccarello was more of a complementary player than a great one. Sure, he can elevate great players and make them even greater. But Zuccarello himself is not great. Kakko has the potential to be great. Heck, he already might be great.

Very few teenagers can boast Kakko’s impressive resume. He has won everywhere he has gone in his hockey career. The Rangers desperately need winners. Here’s a look at the championships he has won. Keep in mind Kakko is a teenager.

• U18 WJC Gold Medal (2018)
• U20 WJC Gold Medal (2019)
• World Championship Gold Medal (2019)

As a teenager, he played regularly in Liiga. Kakko shattered the goal record for a 17-year-old set by fellow Finnish forward Aleksander Barkov. Remember how highly hyped Patrik Laine was? Kakko had a better season than him in his draft year.

In one of the most competitive hockey leagues in the world, playing against paid professionals, Kakko stood out on a regular basis. His puck possession skills are incredible. Kakko is not the fastest player, but he’s fast enough and his edgework makes up for it. Not only is his frame big, he knows how to use it effectively.

Kakko has very soft hands, which is a good sign for his future as a goal scorer. He has the instincts and hockey sense to be a great passer as well, even if his assist totals haven’t shown it yet.

The Rangers have never had a prospect as good as Kakko. He has what it takes to be a center. Kakko plays a complete game and there are very few weaknesses in it. However, his future is at wing. It’s there that Kakko truly flourished. At wing, he nearly finished the regular season with a point per game average (38 points in 45 games).

With Kakko on the roster, the Rangers rebuild has been expedited. Suddenly, going after Artemi Panarin in free agency is more than just a pipe dream – it’s an expectation. They face an uphill battle against the Florida Panthers, who can boast arguably the best coach of the past 20 seasons, beaches, and a favorable tax rate.

The whole reason going after Panarin makes so much sense for the Rangers is because of Kakko. General Manager Jeff Gorton needed a miracle to live through a rebuild in New York City, where if you’re not winning (or a never-ending farce like the New York Knicks), you’re not relevant. He got him in Kakko.