CHICAGO – His first day as a Kraken ahead began early for Kaapo Kakko, as in arriving on the workforce’s downtown Chicago lodge at about 1 a.m. Thursday after his journey from New York. The 23-year-old was nonetheless chipper and prepared at 9:50 a.m. to satisfy head coach Dan Bylsma for the primary time.
Player and coach talked about Bylsma watching Kakko play for Team Finland at Men’s World Championships the spring forward of Kakko being picked No. 2 general at that summer time’s NHL Draft. Bylsma was available and befriended a number of Finnish scouts who have been hotly debating that Kakko ought to go No. 1 as a substitute of American Jack Hughes.
The rationale was sound: As a 17-year-old (“he appeared like a person by then,” stated Bylsma Thursday morning), Kakko notched six targets and added an help over ten video games with Finland profitable the gold medal. In truth, Kakko is the youngest participant ever to win gold in all three International Ice Hockey Federation world championship tournaments (U18, U20, males’s).
Bylsma and Kaapo talked for a couple of minutes, then, after a workforce assembly at 10:20, they paired up for a 1-on-1 video session on the top coach’s laptop computer. Bylsma and Kaapo have been each clearly wanting ahead to the ex-New York Ranger’s debut with the Kraken towards Chicago.
“I don’t how one can’t be excited,” stated Bylsma earlier than the workforce’s morning skate.
“But it does include shedding long-time Kraken [defenseman Will Borgen]. Will has grown into a fantastic professional in our group, particularly final 12 months when he paired with ‘Rig’ [Jamie Oleksiak] as principally a shutdown pair.”
What Kakko Brings to the Lineup
Kakko came upon concerning the commerce at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, discovering out he was booked for a flight at 9:30.
“I had somewhat little bit of time to pack, however I used to be excited instantly,” stated Kakko.
The commerce for Kakko actually matches into the workforce’s must get extra our bodies net-front. Along with the scoring potential of a 23-year-old former No. 2 general draft decide in 2019, Kakko is 6-foot-1 and 215 kilos with a strong fame for retrieving pucks within the offensive zone, profitable puck battles alongside the sidewalls, defending the puck from foes, being affected person with the puck to make performs and by no means backing down from crease scrums. His greatest 12 months on the scoresheet was 18 targets and 22 assists for 40 throughout 2022-23.
“I’m nonetheless good within the O-zone,” stated Kakko, who has already logged 330 NHL common season video games, making the NYR out of camp in 2019-20. “That’s my sport. I could make some performs, problem you, and rating some targets. I believe I’ve been getting higher within the defensive zone as a two-way participant who may be trusted. Getting to the web is one thing I’ve been attempting to perform a little extra, particularly this 12 months.
On his first shift sport time, Kakko jumped out with newly minted linemates Matty Beniers and Jared McCann. Kakko labored successfully within the left nook, profitable a puck battle to take care of possession and arrange a shot on purpose by defenseman Adam Larson.
“He’s a giant physique man who can hold on the puck within the offensive zone, which supplies a while and area for linemates to shoot. We need to have the ability to make the most of his energy and his shot.
In Thursday’s morning skate, it appeared Kakko would possibly get some energy play shifts as quickly because the night time’s highway matchup. He was roaming web entrance with new teammate Jaden Schwartz within the slot throughout energy play run-throughs.
GM Francis Talks Trade
Kraken hockey boss Ron Francis met with the native and nationwide media Thursday noon to speak a few commerce that the majority reporters and analysts graded an “A” grade for the Kraken. Francis stated he and New York Rangers basic supervisor Chris Drury began speaking concerning the deal 5 to seven days in the past and that issues have been “extra frequent over the past 48 hours,” with the GMs speaking Wednesday morning earlier than Francis boarded the workforce aircraft for the trip to Chicago. They texted a bit when Francis was within the air however cinched the deal as soon as each may discuss by cellphone. Francis made a degree of noting Kakko, 23, now joins 4 different younger gamers on the roster with Matty Beniers, 22, Ryker Evans, 23, Shane Wright, 19, and Tye Kartye, 23.
“You’re all the time in search of greater our bodies that may get to the [net] entrance,” stated Francis. “When you return in his draft, there is a cause why the Rangers took him at two [overall]. He was a extremely good participant at that time. For no matter cause, it simply hasn’t panned out for him. We’re hoping to vary the surroundings … we expect there’s the potential for upside. That’s why we made the deal, to take that probability and work with him, and hopefully we will each get his sport to the place he desires it to be and the place we wish it.”
