The 2nd overall pick in 2019 Kaapo Kakko, who was recently traded to the Seattle Kraken, took a shot at his former team, the New York Rangers, in a recent interview.

Kakko notched an assist and two blocked shots in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Ducks. Kakko has gone seven games without a goal, but he has six assists in that span. He continues to look like a natural fit on the Kraken's top line with Matty Beniers and Jaden Schwartz.

Kaapo Kakko’s role has dramatically increased since the New York Rangers traded him to the Seattle Kraken. After serving a third-line role in New York while even getting scratched on a few occasions,

The metrics under the hood tell a curious story centered on one basic fact: Kakko and his linemates are on a shooting hot streak while Lafreniere and his linemates are in a shooting slump.

Seattle Kraken winger Kaapo Kakko and New York Rangers defenseman Will Borgen are adjusting incredibly well to their new teams, one even inked a long-term deal. Let's get into the details.

Instant chemistry between Kaapo Kakko and Matty Beniers has generated some cautious optimism for the Kraken, with both enjoying productive stretches.

Kakko produced an assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Penguins. Kakko set up Matty Beniers' insurance tally in the third period. The 23-year-old Kakko had gone two games without a point entering Saturday,

10. Mailbag: Bernie Rhode has a tip for Chris Drury: "Offer Jonathan Toews a PTO. The Rangers need a player like Toews because they still are sloppy defensively, particularly through the neutral zone. Toews is just the center to show this group how it's done."

Plenty of time remains for the talented Artemi Panarin, Luke Fox, Mika Zibanejad, and surrounding cast to help steer the Rangers back to being a legit Cup contender.

Pretend the Rangers were a real person with a best friend who worried about his perplexing and inconsistent behavior. This is how The Maven sees the fantasy: Friend to Mr. Ranger: "WHAT YOU NEED IS A GOOD SHRINK!" Now Mister Ranger is on the couch, telling the doctor the dozen things that drove him for the cure in the first place:

THROUGH GAMES OF THURSDAY, JAN. 30, 2025

The Red Wings aren't shaping up as an obvious buyer or seller at this year's deadline. But can they use it to look ahead to next season?