Kaapo Kakko’s rookie season did not go as planned. After being long touted as an NHL-ready prospect, the second-overall pick entered his first year burdened with sky-high expectations. He did not live up to them. While Kakko’s first campaign with the New York Rangers was undeniably disappointing, he is far from a bust.
The Finnish sniper turned 19 in February, and he still managed to tally a respectable 10 goals and 13 assists in 66 games. He showed flashes of promise, and he was beginning to elevate his game when the NHL regular season came to a screeching halt.