“He’s a terrific young player who continues to grow and learn. He’s had some really good moments, playing in top positions, and we’re going to keep supporting him and working with him. I think he’s going to find his game and do even more.”

Those are the words of New York Rangers General Manager, Chris Drury, when he was asked about Kaapo Kakko after the trade deadline. After speculation that Kakko was going to be the biggest name for the Rangers on the trade block, he was not dealt; a very surprising move by New York.

Although Kakko has only played in 41 games for the Rangers this season, he only has 11 points (7 goals, 4 assists), which is a very lackluster number. While he was off the ice during the month of December, dealing with a lower-body injury, fans were still confident that he would come back and start producing better numbers. However, that’s not been the case by any means.

Kakko has been switched around the lineup ever since he’s come back from injury. Sometimes he’s on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, while other times he’s on the third line with Jonny Brodzinski and Will Cuylle. Whether fans want to admit it or not, he’s just looked overall more efficient on the third line. That’s certainly not what Rangers fans want to hear, especially since he was the number two overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, but it’s true. New York’s front office must be seeing the same thing as well. The majority of his ice time has come while he is on that line, which suits his play style a little bit better. He is a big body skater, who is now playing more of a defensive role with the Rangers; which compliments the other bottom six players very well.

However, people want him to be a top line forward. He’s spent a short amount of time on the first line, but he hasn’t necessarily “developed” into the scorer that Rangers fans want him to be.

His lack of development over the past few seasons paired with a disappointing start to 2024, all point to the fact that he was likely to be traded from the Rangers come the deadline. Yet here the Rangers are, past the date of Mar. 8, and Kakko is still in the lineup.

Reports said that the Anaheim Ducks offered the Rangers Frank Vatrano and Adam Henrique in exchange for Kaapo Kakko and their 2024 first round pick, but New York declined. The Rangers passed on two very impressive veteran players in order to hang onto Kakko; an interesting decision.

The Rangers were also very far into talks with Pittsburgh Penguins star player, Jake Guentzel, until it came time to offer Kakko to them. Chris Drury didn’t want to give him up. Instead the Rangers beefed up there bottom six with two guys in Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic; maybe signifying that developing Kakko is still the main priority.

This trade deadline proved one thing for the New York Rangers; they are going to rely heavily on their homegrown players to step up. That definitely includes Kakko. With all the trade rumors looming in the Rangers locker room about a week ago, Chris Drury has made it very clear that he still has faith and confidence in Kaapo Kakko.

Many people were upset that Drury was “prospect hugging”, while many others wanted the Rangers to keep Kakko, in hopes that he will reach his breakout. It’s now or never for Kaapo Kakko. Either he is going to start playing like a number two pick, or he’s going to be traded come the offseason. It’s entirely up to him.