New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko was injured again and is out week-to-week. The injury is a lower-body ailment that seems to be centered on the ankle. This news was announced late Monday afternoon and first reported by Mollie Walker of the New York Post.
#NYR say Kaapo Kakko is week to week, not skating today
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) April 18, 2022
Rangers Kaapo Kakko Injured Week-to-Week
The young Finn was injured in the first period of Saturday’s 4-0 shutout of the Detroit Red Wings. Kakko got tangled up with Tyler Bertuzzi and fell awkwardly on his right leg in the corner. He did not return for the rest of the game.
Kakko has only played for the Rangers in his three-year NHL career. He has seven goals and nine assists in 41 games this season. The Turku, Finland native has a Corsi for of 51.7 and a relative Corsi of 6.8. Kakko has 26 goals and 30 assists in 155 career games with the Blueshirts. New York drafted him second overall of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Kakko spent two-and-a-half months on the injured reserve with an upper-body injury. Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant didn’t think the injury was two serious, but that seems to be not the case. New York is also dealing with the loss of forward Tyler Motte for the rest of the regular season. However, they hope he’s back for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
What it Means
Kakko’s injury pre-trade deadline would have disastrous, but the Blueshirts trade deadline acquisitions have helped. Andrew Copp and Frank Vatrano have been welcome additions on the lower-half of the lineup. New York was very top-heavy before the trades, but there’s more balance in the lineup.
Tough guy Ryan Reaves will likely draw into the lineup to replace Kakko. General Manager Chris Drury has done pretty well to cover for the possible spate of injuries the Rangers have encountered. The loss of Kakko does hurt because he’s played very well on defence.
