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KAAPO KAKKO – New York Rangers – 2019 – NHL – 2nd – DRAFT PICK

From Finnish Phenom to Finding a New Beginning

When the New York Rangers won the 2019 NHL Draft Lottery, many believed they would select Finnish superstar Kaapo Kakko with the first overall pick.

One important correction: Kaapo Kakko now plays for the Seattle Kraken, after the New York Rangers traded him on December 18, 2024. He signed a three-year Seattle contract in July 2025 and finished the 2025–26 season with 40 points in 65 games.

Instead, the Rangers selected second after the New Jersey Devils chose Jack Hughes first overall.

New York was thrilled.

Kakko had dominated international hockey as a teenager and was viewed as one of the most NHL-ready prospects to come out of Finland in years.

Standing over 6-foot-1 with elite puck protection, strength, and scoring ability, many scouts believed he could become a franchise winger.

The expectations were enormous.

A Teenage Star Before Arriving in the NHL

Before ever playing an NHL game, Kakko had already accomplished something few players in hockey history could match.

He won:

  • IIHF Under-18 World Championship Gold
  • IIHF World Junior Championship Gold
  • IIHF Men’s World Championship Gold

He became the youngest player ever to win gold at all three major IIHF championships, an achievement that cemented his status as one of the world’s elite young talents.

Immediate Jump to Broadway (2019–20)

The Rangers placed Kakko directly into the NHL as an 18-year-old.

Like many young European forwards, he discovered the transition was more difficult than expected.

The NHL demanded:

  • faster decision-making
  • stronger defensive play
  • greater physical endurance
  • consistency over an 82-game season

His rookie year produced flashes of brilliance but also showed that development would take time.

Rather than becoming an instant star, Kakko began the long process of adjusting to North American hockey.

Steady Growth in New York

Over the next several seasons, Kakko gradually became a more complete player.

His strengths evolved beyond scoring.

He developed into a winger known for:

  • elite puck protection
  • winning board battles
  • responsible defensive play
  • strong possession numbers
  • excellent hockey IQ

Although he didn’t become the 35- or 40-goal scorer many projected, he became an important member of a Rangers team that regularly qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Battling Expectations

Being selected second overall comes with enormous pressure.

Every season, Kakko was compared to players drafted behind him, including:

  • Kirby Dach
  • Bowen Byram
  • Trevor Zegras
  • Moritz Seider
  • Matt Boldy
  • Cole Caufield

While several players posted bigger offensive numbers, Kakko continued to develop into a dependable two-way winger rather than a pure scorer.

His career became a reminder that draft position often creates expectations that can be difficult to satisfy.

A Fresh Start in Seattle

After parts of six seasons with the Rangers, Kakko’s career took a major turn.

In December 2024, New York traded him to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen and draft picks.

The move provided Kakko with something he had been seeking:

Opportunity.

Seattle immediately gave him more responsibility and increased ice time.

The change paid off.

Following the trade, he played some of the best hockey of his NHL career, recording 30 points in 49 games with the Kraken after posting 14 points in 30 games with New York earlier that season. He finished 2024–25 with a career-high 44 points and earned a new three-year contract from Seattle.

Building Around Him

The Kraken quickly made it clear they viewed Kakko as an important part of their future.

In the summer of 2025, Seattle signed him to a three-year contract worth $13.575 million, avoiding salary arbitration and signaling confidence in his long-term potential.

Career Snapshot (through the 2025–26 season)

By the conclusion of the 2025–26 season, Kakko had established himself as an experienced NHL forward.

Career totals included:

  • 444 NHL Games
  • 84 Goals
  • 117 Assists
  • 201 Points

During 2025–26, he recorded 40 points in 65 games, continuing his progression with Seattle.

Strengths

Puck Protection ★★★★★

One of the strongest young forwards in the NHL along the boards.

Hockey IQ ★★★★☆

Makes smart decisions with the puck and plays a mature two-way game.

Physical Play ★★★★☆

Uses his frame effectively to win possession and extend offensive-zone time.

Skating ★★★★☆

Powerful stride with good balance, though not elite top-end speed.

Offensive Production ★★★☆☆

Has improved steadily but has not yet reached the offensive ceiling projected on draft day.

Career Evaluation

Kaapo Kakko’s NHL career has been defined by patience.

He has never become the offensive superstar many expected when he was drafted second overall.

However, evaluating him solely on points overlooks the player he has become.

He is:

  • a reliable top-six winger
  • a strong possession player
  • an effective two-way forward
  • an excellent teammate
  • a proven NHL regular

His move to Seattle appears to have unlocked another level of confidence and offensive creativity.

At only 25 years old, there is still room for further growth.

Did the Rangers Make the Right Pick?

With hindsight, the debate remains open.

Several players selected later in the 2019 draft have developed into bigger offensive stars.

However, Kakko has built a successful NHL career, something very few draft picks accomplish.

While he has not fully met the lofty expectations attached to a second-overall selection, he has become exactly the type of player winning teams value—strong, dependable, responsible, and capable of contributing in every situation.

BRAIN Verdict™

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.0/5

Draft Value: Very Good

Career Success: Established NHL Regular

Franchise Impact: Valuable Top-Six Winger

Championship Impact: Still Seeking First Stanley Cup

Long-Term Outlook: Kaapo Kakko appears to have found the environment he needed in Seattle. His combination of size, skill, and hockey intelligence gives him an opportunity to produce the best years of his career with the Kraken. If his offensive confidence continues to grow, he could still become one of the NHL’s premier power wingers during his prime.

thehockeyresource.com

Official NHL & Hockey Sources

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