Rangers Make Unexpected Announcement About Former No. 2 Pick
The New York Rangers made an unexpected announcement on Thursday, June 13, that they had extended the contract of restricted free agent Kaapo Kakko for another year, finalizing a one-year contract worth $2.4 million.
This agreement matches Kakko’s qualifying offer and ensures that the Finnish winger will open the 2024-25 season with the Rangers. Kakko will re-enter restricted free agency on July 1, 2025.
The $2.4 million contract provides cost certainty for the Rangers or any potential trade partners. This figure is slightly below Evolving-Hockey’s projection of $2.8 million AAV for a two-year deal. General manager Chris Drury compared Kakko’s situation to Alexis Lafreniere’s last year, expressing optimism for Kakko’s development.
Kakko’s Complicated Career in New York
The Rangers drafted Kakko with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft. Since then, he’s experienced an up-and-down career in Manhattan.
Kakko managed 13 goals and 6 assists in 61 regular-season games in 2024. His postseason contributions were minimal, with only 1 goal and 1 assist in 15 games in the playoffs.
The lowest of Kakko’s lows came in the Eastern Conference finals, when he was a healthy scratch in Game 2 of the series against the Florida Panthers. He’d been scratched in Game 2 of the conference finals (against the Tampa Bay Lightning) in 2022.
Kakko has amassed 117 points (57 goals, 60 assists) over 300 career NHL games. Despite a dip in production in 2024, Kakko showcased his upside in the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 40 points and appearing in all 82 regular-season games.
