Jan Levine: Rangers and Kaapo Kakko agree on two-year contract Offer sheet concern is no more

Perfect contract for Kakko. I thought it would be a bit higher

If this team wants to move forward Kakko and Lafreniere have to be given more responsibility, and they have to thrive in that responsibility. No more 12 minutes of ice time while Frank Vatrano types play the top line. Time to ride or die with your top picks.

If this team wants to move forward Kakko and Lafreniere have to be given more responsibility, and they have to thrive in that responsibility. No more 12 minutes of ice time while Frank Vatrano types play the top line.
- mkrisnosky

This is how I see it with Kakko. He now has two more years to prove he’s a keeper. Right now it’s not a guarantee. But I’m glad he’s here and not somewhere else if he does break out.

He should play with Zib and Kreider simply because those two are finishers where he isn’t, and he could more or less be the set up guy for them. Work the boards/corners to get the puck.

And I’m steadfast in saying that Laf should be the LW on Chytils line (based off the playoff success they had together). And have him on PP1 in Stromes spot

From the previous blog:

No, I’m not the GM Tony, and neither are you. We’re just a bunch of fans you have their own opinion. The issue is, mine usually flies in the face of most posters here. At the end of the day, I’m a Ranger fan, I want to see them all do well. However, I have serious reservations about young Kakko’s game. Hopefully, he proves me wrong.

Perfect contract for Kakko. I thought it would be a bit higher
- Slimtj100

Yeah, I was hoping for $2M, so this is a win, IMO. Almost there!
I don't get why Drury signed Gauthier over Motte. It's like a Swiss Army knife vs. a spork.

Would love Motte back for $1 Million.

Would love Motte back for $1 Million.
- Fenrir

Vince said he's looking for $2m+ right now according to his sources.

Would explain why he's still not on a team.

From the previous blog:

No, I’m not the GM Tony, and neither are you. We’re just a bunch of fans you have their own opinion. The issue is, mine usually flies in the face of most posters here. At the end of the day, I’m a Ranger fan, I want to see them all do well. However, I have serious reservations about young Kakko’s game. Hopefully, he proves me wrong.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I have all those same reservations, but to say that Drury missed the mark by $1M is silly. He may have a lot left to prove, but Kakko's contract path has been set by all the top end draft picks to come before him. This is right in the ball park of where his contract was always going to land.
I may have been a little harsh with you, but your post was begging for comeuppance.

With KK is there some frustration with Rangers fans that he hasn't been handled properly...

From the standpoint - Not really given a defined role.. finisher, set up man... net front guy... just wondering if that perhaps has hindered his growth into more complete player.

Having said that .. this is a good contract for both ...

If this team wants to move forward Kakko and Lafreniere have to be given more responsibility, and they have to thrive in that responsibility. No more 12 minutes of ice time while Frank Vatrano types play the top line. Time to ride or die with your top picks.
- mkrisnosky

100% agreed. Next year falls on kakko chytl laf and kravs hitting their stride. Two of them need to be main stays in the top 6. One of them should be PP1 full time

This is how I see it with Kakko. He now has two more years to prove he’s a keeper. Right now it’s not a guarantee. But I’m glad he’s here and not somewhere else if he does break out.

He should play with Zib and Kreider simply because those two are finishers where he isn’t, and he could more or less be the set up guy for them. Work the boards/corners to get the puck.

And I’m steadfast in saying that Laf should be the LW on Chytils line (based off the playoff success they had together). And have him on PP1 in Stromes spot
- Slimtj100

Why play your 1OA 3rd line minutes? What other team has ever done this? Play Laf on 1st or 2nd line. One of the LWs has to switch sides. Playing laf with chytl only made sense if he was the 2c heading into next year

I have all those same reservations, but to say that Drury missed the mark by $1M is silly. He may have a lot left to prove, but Kakko's contract path has been set by all the top end draft picks to come before him. This is right in the ball park of where his contract was always going to land.
I may have been a little harsh with you, but your post was begging for comeuppance.
- Tonybere

Yes, and you certainly came up.

Way off topic here, but i believe you are Canadian? If so, can I ask you how you feel about this situation.

Today, the NY Yankees, acquired Andrew Benintendi in a trade with the Royals. The trade had been held up for a few days because Benintendi is not vaccinated. As you know, players cannot enter Canada unless so. As the Yankees have many games left with the Bluejays, it would not have been in their best interest to make the deal. Now, the player says he will be vaccinated in order to facilitate the deal.

How do you feel about Canada’s restriction on people not allowed in unless vacinated?

Yes, and you certainly came up.

Way off topic here, but i believe you are Canadian? If so, can I ask you how you feel about this situation.

Today, the NY Yankees, acquired Andrew Benintendi in a trade with the Royals. The trade had been held up for a few days because Benintendi is not vaccinated. As you know, players cannot enter Canada unless so. As the Yankees have many games left with the Bluejays, it would not have been in their best interest to make the deal. Now, the player says he will be vaccinated in order to facilitate the deal.

How do you feel about Canada’s restriction on people not allowed in unless vacinated?
- OLDSCHOOL#6

#vaxbaiting

#vaxbaiting
- picklerick

Don't engage.

Don't engage.
- JRR1285

can we move the (frank) on already JFC

Perfect contract for Kakko. I thought it would be a bit higher
- Slimtj100

Where's Jimmy? He get banned again?

can we move the (frank) on already JFC
- picklerick

You don't like discussing all of these things to death especially when there is actual Rangers news to report on?

#vaxbaiting
- picklerick

Can you mind your (frank)ing business pickleRichard?

Can you mind your (frank)ing business pickleRichard?
- OLDSCHOOL#6

My brother in christ this is a public forum

My brother in christ this is a public forum
- picklerick

That right. So, I asked the man a question. Who the (frank) are you, the posting police?

That right. So, I asked the man a question. Who the (frank) are you, the posting police?
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I am. Hands where I can see them scumbag, your reign of terror is over

I am. Hands where I can see them scumbag, your reign of terror is over
- picklerick

(frank) you dolt.

Why play your 1OA 3rd line minutes? What other team has ever done this? Play Laf on 1st or 2nd line. One of the LWs has to switch sides. Playing laf with chytl only made sense if he was the 2c heading into next year
- nyrangers2

I disagree. All it does is lengthen the lineup. Id rather keep Laf where he is comfortable rather than make him a RW. He has plenty of time to be “the guy”

And the playoff success cannot be forgotten. We’ve waited 3 years for Chytil to finally do something and he did, but he did it with Laf. I’m not breaking that up, or Zib and Kreider for that matter

And again, I bring this up all the time…it may be wise to keep Lafs production down anyway with his looming raise on the horizon. They have other players who can be top 6

These are the 3 pairs that should stay together imo, and figure out the RWs

Zib Kreider
Trocheck Panarin
Chytil Laf

The RWs for them are Kakko, Kravtsov and Blais, who goes where is up for debate. Possibly Cuylle included, with Blais and Goodrow on line 4. But regardless, that’s 3 very good deep scoring lines.

Leeeeeeeennnnngthy lineup

Where's Jimmy? He get banned again?
- JRR1285

Bermuda. Coming home today/tonight I believe