Back to the New York Rangers Newsfeed

Kaapo Kakko's strong play earns rookie a promotion, at least temporarily

Kaapo Kakko at Rangers training camp on July 13, 2020. Credit: Nick Homler/NY Rangers/Nick Homler

Options. Every coach needs them, and halfway through Training Camp 2.0, Rangers coach David Quinn is starting to discover that he has more than a few.

Pavel Buchnevich leaving practice early Saturday gave Quinn the opportunity to look at Kaapo Kakko on the first line, with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. And Kakko looked like a perfect fit there, scoring two goals in Sunday’s scrimmage.

“I thought Kakko had a really good day,’’ Quinn said on Sunday. “He's had a really good stretch here, since we got back.