New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with the forward Kaapo Kakko on a two-year contract extension.
Kakko, 21, played in 43 games for the Blueshirts in 2021-22, recording seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points and a plus-nine rating. In addition, Kakko registered five points (2G-3A) in 19 playoff games.
The Turku, Finland native has skated in 157 career NHL games, all with New York, collecting 26 goals and 32 assists for 58 points. Kakko’s 58 points are tied for the fourth most all-time among Rangers who were 20 or younger as of January 31 in that season.
In 2020-21, Kakko registered 17 points (9G-8A) and a plus-three rating in 48 games with the Rangers. He tied for sixth among NHL players 20 years old or younger in goals. In his rookie season (2019-20), the 6-3, 205 pound forward recorded 23 points (10G-13A) in 66 games. He tallied eight goals and 19 points while he was 18 years old; the 19 points were the most by an 18-year-old in Rangers history and the eight goals were tied for the most by an 18-year-old in franchise history (tied with Manny Malhotra).
Kakko was originally selected by the Blueshirts in the first round, second overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.