Ex-Rangers first-round draft pick shockingly in a massive disagreement with the Seattle Kraken

On Saturday, July 5, it was unveiled that the New York Rangers' former forward, Kaapo Kakko, filed for salary arbitration, despite his impressive season with the Seattle Kraken.

During Kakko's time in New York, he was anticipated to be one of the pillars of the Rangers franchise, yet, over the years, he failed to live up to the expectation.

Throughout his last season with Rangers, Kakko's numbers were not increasing, and he was later healthy scratched out of the lineup.

This ultimately led to his departure from the Rangers in December of the 2024/25 NHL season, as he was traded to the Seattle Kraken for Will Borden and a third-and six-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Yet, since Kakko joined the Kraken's lineup, he has undoubtably been making airwaves, and has played some of the best hockey of his NHL career thus far.

Kakko completed his 2024/25 season with 10 goals, 20 assists, totalling at 30 points within just 49 games.

However, Kakko's previous contract, which was a 1-year, $2.4M deal expired at the end of this past season, leaving this 24-year old to be an restricted free agent (RFA).

And despite this forward showing immense promise in Seattle, it appears as though Kakko and his new organization's management are having trouble coming to terms on a new contract extension, which has ultimately led the young forward to file for arbitration.

This salary arbitration hearing is scheduled to take place form July 20 to August 4