Kaapo Kakko
| Kaapo Kakko | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Kakko with the Kraken on 30 December 2024 | |||
| Born |
13 February 2001 Turku, Finland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team Former teams |
Seattle Kraken TPS New York Rangers | ||
| National team |
 Finland | ||
| NHL draft |
2nd overall, 2019 New York Rangers | ||
| Playing career | 2017–present | ||
Kaapo Ville Olavi Kakko (born 13 February 2001) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He currently plays for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the New York Rangers. Outside of the NHL, Kakko has also played for TPS of the Liiga.
Internationally, Kakko plays for Finland. He won a bronze medal with them at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Career
[change | change source]Before playing in the NHL, Kakko played two seasons with TPS of the Liiga. He had a successful time with TPS. He finished his rookie season, scoring 22 goals and recording 16 assists for 38 points in 45 games. He was awarded the Jarmo Wasama Memorial Trophy for being the Liiga's best rookie and the President's trophy for his impact on hockey in Finland.[1][2]
He was drafted 2nd overall by the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL entry draft.[3] On July 24, 2014, Kakko signed a three-year entry-level contract to join the Rangers.[4] On 3 October 2019, Kakko made his NHL debut in a 6–4 win against the Winnipeg Jets.[5] On 12 October, Kakko scored his first NHL goal against Mike Smith in a 4–1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.[6] On 28 July 2022, Kakko signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract to stay with the Rangers.[7] On 13 June 2024, Kakko signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract to stay with the Rangers.[8]
On 18 December 2024, the Rangers traded Kakko to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Will Borgen, and a 2025 third- and sixth-round draft pick.[9] On 22 July 2025, Kakko signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract to stay with the Kraken.[10]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Liiga palkitsi kauden 2018-19 parhaita – tässä palkittujen lista". Liiga (in Finnish). Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "President's Trophy -erikoispalkinto Kaapo Kakolle: "Hän pohjusti Suomen tien maailmanmestaruuteen"". Finnish Ice Hockey Association (in Finnish). Retrieved May 31, 2026.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "Devils take Jack Hughes at No.1, and the Rangers pick Kaapo Kakko". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Rangers Agree to Terms with Kaapo Kakko". New York Rangers. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Kaapo Kakko Debuts and Other Newcomers Shine in Rangers Win". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Kaapo Kakko scores his first career NHL goal". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Rangers Agree to Terms with Kaapo Kakko". New York Rangers. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Rangers Agree to Terms with Kaapo Kakko [2]". New York Rangers. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Kraken Trade For Former No. 2 Overall Winger". Seattle Kraken. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
- ↑ "Kraken Ink Three-Year Pact With Kaapo Kakko". Seattle Kraken. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or ESPN.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database