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Peter Laviolette sends harsh message to Kaapo Kakko following latest controversy

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Joshua Deeds
December 18, 2024 (2:58 PM)

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After speaking out against his healthy scratch, Kaapo Kakko has found himself with a low utilization against the Nashville Predators. The Rangers would lose the match, is Peter Laviolette to blame?

In what appears to be a retaliatory move, Kaapo Kakko would receive only 10:14 TOI against the Nashville Predators.

The Rangers would surrender two goals to Jonathan Marchessault, and Adam Wilsby.

The team would be held scoreless, and Kaapo Kakko would leave the ice that night with a -1 rating, 3 shots on goal, 2 hits, 1 giveaway, and 16 shifts last night.

«I was surprised, yeah,» Kakko told the New York Post's Mollie Walker. «I know you've got to do something as a coach when you're losing games, but I think it's just easy to pick a young guy and boot him out. That's how I feel, to be honest.»

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«Haven't been on the ice too much when [opponents] score a goal,» Kakko said. «I have not been the worst guy, but that was me out of the lineup.»

The move is puzzling, considering that Kaapo Kakko's name has been buzzing in trade rumors lately.

You'd want to make sure you get Kakko in the best situations, showcasing him so you can get the best value for the forward.

Kakko has a 1 one-year, $2.4 Million AAV deal with the Rangers and would be a great addition to a rebuilding team.

The young forward, who was a 2nd overall pick in 2019 has 14 points( 4 G, 10 A) in 31 games this season with the Rangers.

As RMNB demonstrates Kakko isn't the issue:

Among New York's regulars, Kakko ranks second in fewest five-on-five goals allowed when on the ice (10). The only player ahead of him, Filip Chytil (7), has played in six fewer games.

Previously on NY Hockey Insider

Insider shockingly ranks New York Rangers star as the top trade candidate within the NHL

Rangers next GM was just leaked as James Dolan is reportedly meeting with the Chris Drury's replacement

ESPN Reporter Reveals Kaapo Kakko Is Gaining A Lot Of Interest From This Central Division Team

POLL
DECEMBRE 18 \| 1288 ANSWERS Peter Laviolette sends harsh message to Kaapo Kakko following latest controversy Do you think forward Kaapo Kakko is a problem for the New York Rangers?
Yes	263	20.4 %
No	1025	79.6 %
List of polls

Peter Laviolette sends harsh message to Kaapo Kakko following latest controversy

After speaking out against his healthy scratch, Kaapo Kakko has found himself with a low utilization against the Nashville Predators. The Rangers would lose the match, is Peter Laviolette to blame?

Do you think forward Kaapo Kakko is a problem for the New York Rangers?