Kaapo Kakko Era is Over! Traded to Seattle Kraken

[@CallittheBluesSection415]

Thanks, Marc, Anthony, and Jim for getting together on short notice for another outstanding segment. Happy Holidays to all who contribute to the channel regularly and congratulations on the nuptials Marc. Happy and safe Holiday to Filk as well. This may be one of the most bizarre seasons in Ranger's history, a history that dates back nearly a century, what does that tell 'ya? If Drury can break down this dumpster fire, he AND THIS ENTIRE front office MUST be held accountable for this disaster. I'm talking about John Lilley, Garth Joy, Andy Schneider, Ari Vuori, Jamie Herrington, Jed Ortmeyer, Marc Staal, Tanner Glass, Antti Miettinen, and Mark Ciaccio! Reply if I left anybody off the complaint department! This club should obviously be as focused on an organizational reset as trading some or all of these stiffs, what a mess!

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Thanks for doing this video after doing the regular video

[@BigAppleHockey]

We had to cover this one right away!

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Great Video. Kappo Kakko is gone. The best of luck to him. I had a feeling that this was in the works. Now, everyone has to be worried when they're A Healthy Scratch. Chris Drury, The Executioner, has arrived. I am sad to see Kappo Kakko go, but, this season is very unacceptable & Chris Drury is, at the very least, doing some things. We'll see if it's only A Retool or A Rebuild. I think he was on The Buffalo Sabres.

[@VanWailen]

Kakko sucks. Let’s just be honest. He had four years to develop and he never lived up to the hype. He’s just average this season. Nothing more.

[@BigAppleHockey]

@@mariovaccarella6854 certainly not in the way they used him

[@mariovaccarella6854]

@BigAppleHockey Thank You for your comment. I wish that you would have stated which one of you put this up. I agree, but, I think that, while they should have gotten more ice time, The Kid Line should have been left as A Line, to Swim/Sink. As you know, they did quite decent a couple of seasons ago. However, having said that, time will tell how he does in Seattle & we were all saying that this was either A Make/Break Year for him. Therefore, given all of the above & his wanting to be moved, I think that this was the best decision for both the team & Kappo Kakko (PS. I sincerely wish him the best - maybe he'll prove everyone wrong).

[@carsondyle1793]

Tonya Harding skates with more purpose than Mika

[@VanWailen]

😆 a lot of younger fans will have to Google that name 😆

[@chrispbacon3084]

Tom Wilson destroyed the Rangers front office.

[@whatupdoggy44]

This is soooo dumb

[@davidwood1100]

Dolan was wanting to install Drury and used that as an excuse. If it wasn't Tom Wilson it would have been something else.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

I was glad to see them (John Davidson & Jeff Gorton) go & I'm starting to get fed up with Chris Drury, even though these former guys left him in this situation, especially with all of the Cap Space Problems we've been seeing, since trading of Pavel Buchnievich.

[@KillJoy323]

huh

[@shawnstadtler9865]

He really didn’t live up AT ALL. He would be in his 15th year not putting up any points(what he was supposed to do. Not be a third line checker) and people would be crying. He was a BUST in NY. Will he tear it up in Seattle? Maybe. This was a couple years in the making. More trades are coming

[@davidwood1100]

At the 30 min mark of an over a hour show, oh we are only going to go 10 more min

[@BigAppleHockey]

Ha ha happened all the time

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Matthew - Jeff Gorton got us into this mess with the Jacob Trouba Trade.

[@humanbeing2420]

We got lucky that Drury was able to unload Trouba for return and no retention.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

@humanbeing2420 Thank You for your comment. Amen to that. That's why I think that Chris Drury, while not making the best moves, is in a pickle

[@mariovaccarella6854]

@humanbeing2420 Thank You for comment. Amen to that. This is why, even though he hasn't made the best moves, Chris Drury is getting more criticism than he deserves.

[@humanbeing2420]

@@mariovaccarella6854 Well, the team went to two ECFs under him, so on paper his tenure looks good, but he inherited this core from his predecessors in spring of 2021, and since then he hasn't done much to improve the roster other than acquiring Trocheck. He traded Buchnevich for little return in 2021 and the first line has lacked a true 1RW ever since. He has pissed off the locker room with the way he handled Goodrow and Trouba, and by sending out that memo to the GMs in November. Whether the veterans' reaction to all that was justified or not, he should have known the reaction would be negative. I think his interpersonal skills are weak, and those situations called for some massaging of egos - smoothing ruffled feathers - but he doesn't do that. Now he has a huge mess on his hands.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

@humanbeing2420 Thank You for your comment. Yeah. I think that The Pavel Buchnievich Trade was, in part, the fact that Jeff Gorton made the Trouba Signing. As Chris Drury had said, it was a matter of Dollars & Cents. I agree with so much of what you said.

[@BrodieBr0]

I'm with ya here as usual Marc. Management has dropped during this ''rebuild'', but the players dug their on grave too. Another thing, To see so many Rangers fans getting so emotionally attached to players that are underperforming or haven't lived up to their potential above what's best for the TEAM right now. Other teams do this all the time and if it leads to an eventual cup they don't care who was moved to get to that point. Hate to beat a dead horse, but this is a sport, a TEAM sport which is also a business and no one...even Wayne Gretzky is above a trade. Blow up time.

[@humanbeing2420]

They traded Kakko for nothing because he publicly criticized the team. That's not permitted. Dolan owns the team - it's his policy.

[@humanbeing2420]

This trade made no sense on multiple levels. As bad as the team has been and as much as we expected more from Kakko as a #2 pick, he was not part of the problem with this team. He had been playing decently and was responsible defensively. He was scratched for no reason at all. At least no reason that Lavi could articulate. After the scratch, he publicly criticized the team, so Drury had to trade him immediately per Dolan media policy, and he's gone for nothing, and a shitty team is now even worse.

[@frankherndon8348]

Great show. I told everyone I knew the second they signed Igor to an extension the Rangers were not going to be good. Guess I was right. I hope they send out a rebuilding letter, get what they can for whoever they can trade. Miller has to go, he has only gone backwards, I don't even know what happend to Zib, Trouba had to go, Goodrow had to go. Lindgren is beat up from sacrificing his body over the years. Kakko should enjoy not being a Ranger and getting a fresh start. Let's go Rangers.

[@Romanellochw]

If Kakko was picked anywhere other than top 10, this wouldn't be an issue. He wasn't going to be re-signed and his value was low. It is what it is. I do find it weird thay he was one guy who wasn't a problem really and we moved him. Telling he went next tho. Maybe he was an issue in the room?

[@jonu5505]

I know we've exhausted this point, but Kakko was a catalyst of a Jake Guentzal trade last year, and Henrique/Vatrano. This was a bad trade.

[@BigAppleHockey]

When people called about Kakko, they were hesitant to get rid of him. When they had the opportunity to use him, they wouldn't... makes perfect sense

[@jonu5505]

@@BigAppleHockey Agreed. It's a shame we're in this position. At this point, we have multiple concerns with how a rebuild would look. The contract to Shesterkin is an issue that's going to be far worse as time goes on. Frankly, he isn't worth a cent more than 9m. The term is even worse. Secondly, they aren't going anywhere this season. With that knowledge, they have to burn bridges and find a way to move Kreider sooner than later, and hope that pushes Zibanejad out the door. Three seasons ago, Zibanejad was my favorite Ranger, so this has been extremely disappointing. Next step, ride out the rest of this season and accumulate as much cap space for the off-season while giving young players NHL experience. From there, we cross our fingers.

[@Straight_Az]

I was fuming about this last year. Idk why they acted like he was a big piece to our success. He never was. Not even close.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Chris T - I don't think that Chris Kreider should be traded, as I have said & it's no guarantee that Mika Zibanejad will leave if they trade Chris Kreider.

[@VanWailen]

It’s better if we trade him now while he has value and get something good out of him. Whether it be with pics or with a solid player.

[@BigAppleHockey]

It doesn't matter on "should". In an ideal world, everyone stays on the same team until they retire, but this is a cap world. You can't pay everyone. Kreider put in 13 great years, but all good things must come to an end

[@VanWailen]

@@BigAppleHockey 💯

[@stevecolantuono2284]

If a shitty no-name defenseman and a couple of worthless late draft picks were all, it would have taken the devils might have taken him because playing with Hughes would have probably made Kakko into a stud

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Igor Shesterkin might have had an extension, so it makes him easier to trade. I think that I'm figuring out the was Drury is thinking these days.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

While I like Kappo Kakko. I see this as A Move Not To Overpay Him For Next Year. I wouldn't be surprised if GM Chris Drury signed Igor Shesterkin to have the option to Trade Him, prior to July 1st.

[@JohnnyReno71]

They had to get rid of him as he didn’t live up to his potential, but it’s the Rangers who can’t develop players. My concern is we just picked up a defenseman and now another. Then they send Mancini to the minors. We need forwards ( with size , grit and speed) As for Krieder he still has potential he’s having a down year, but Mika is on his 2nd down year. He should be gone before Krieder I wish they would fire Drury and hire either Messier or Weeks as GM. It can’t get worse..

[@humanbeing2420]

Why would you want Messier as GM? Has he ever worked in the front office of any hockey organization? Can he step in and be a good GM of an NHL team?

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Evan & I had been discussing if they move Igor Shesterkin to another team, prior to the deal kicking in, as an alternative, on Rangers Central. I think that it might be Chris Drury's Plan (I gave you the money, you didn't improve & carry this team, so, Bye). I hope that I'm wrong & Igor Shesterkin goes back to being an elite goalie, but, I'm thinking that this is the plan. Let me know what you think. This way, Chris Drury turns A Lose-Losf into A Win-Win.

[@vincetrocheck4mvp]

So just hold onto Kakko for even longer and get nothing? Smart one, Anthony. lol

[@jonu5505]

No, but this felt like a "let's just get him out of here." There had to be a better trade out there. But, I'm sitting on my PC, I'm not in Drury's office.

[@dealy9268]

None of these trades make the Rangers better! They just move out players. Maybe he is making cap space for a bigger trade.

[@BigAppleHockey]

But why give up assets right now? They're not showing promise, but they are showing that they're regressing and a warp speed

[@mariovaccarella6854]

I think that Jim is right, that it was Kappo Kakko wanted out of New York.

[@dealy9268]

Rangers next trade. Igor to the Hurricanes for Ryan Suzuki and a conditional 7th round pick. Rangers retain 75% salery. LOL. Honestly I would be happy for Suzuki. The Hurricanes are waisting him in the AHL.

[@christianokolski9701]

Damn, and I thought Lou was bad

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Don't be surprised. Chris Drury might trade away LaF & Igor Shesterkin before their deals kick in. I think Chris Drury has A Plan To Get These Players That Make All Of This Money & Aren't Producing Out Of Town

[@BigAppleHockey]

I'd be shocked on Laf and it would be bad business to trade Igor now

[@ciscokid1999]

Annnnnd its rebuild time again for the Rangers.....or bring up rempe and put him on the first line, should solve their problems.

[@PAVEL-JAKL]

FIRE DRURY

[@michaelgallone7409]

See ya

[@chrisfrost73]

Gabe going to college for a few years is a win for the rangers. Now sell everything and rebuild now. Time to sell the team for Leon in Edmonton and Brady in Ottawa. Trade Igor, sign Miko and Mitch in free agency. Keep schneids, laffy, chytil, fox, cuyle, as core and sell the rest. Bring up Gabe and othman

[@BigAppleHockey]

Leon is re-signed for 8 years and not leaving. Right now, Brady is on a better team than the Rangers. I think it's too late to trade Igor

[@michaelgallone7409]

Good luck to Cocky Coocoo

[@dasher2009-t8v]

Heres a story ..how does an organization ruin a 2nd overall pick.. no development..should of been on the power play 2 years ago.. rangers blew it

[@BigAppleHockey]

@@dasher2009-t8v effin right! How do they not invest in a 2nd overall pick

[@danmulvaney4580]

So, post rebuild, we have Laffy and Chytil … woo hoo!

[@BigAppleHockey]

@@danmulvaney4580 yeah, I wrote about this on X how they never fulfilled their promises in the letter

[@chronokenny8499]

Let Drury trade Igor then fire him right after give him a taste of his own medicine. That way you can blame all the crap on Drury and still attract talent with a respectable new GM

[@JayLewisNYR1994]

Hagens already has chemistry with Perreault. Make it happen. Awful Kakko trade.

[@chronokenny8499]

Get Drury the hell out of here. Kakko I could care less and I wanted Trouba gone. But signing Igor was dumb/ridiculous and he got robbed. Fire Drury, the whole Trouba debacle over the summer and not moving on from Kakko last year when you could have gotten something. OH and last year not bringing in a wing to win it all like Guetzel or Vatrano is disgraceful. Get Drury out of here he is a moron. Also agree the older guys lack balls and it trickles through the entire locker room. Gm should have seen the lack of grit and adjusted 2 years ago. Get MIka, Kreider, Lindgren outta here. Terrible GM

[@VanWailen]

The kappo kakko era of three seasons of suck playing and this year of average play. Drury should’ve moved him before the season started.

[@BigAppleHockey]

Can't help but think that they never invested in him. Maybe if they developed him instead of Ryan Strome, it could have been different

[@BigAppleHockey]

Don't be surprised if he flourishes elsewhere

[@Straight_Az]

People still defending kakko absolutely blows my mind 😂. Guys flat out terrible! What are people watching i dont get it. Best at scoring when were up 5-0. Numbers dont lie.

[@BigAppleHockey]

I think it's more about the handling of Kakko. When did he really have a chance to develop as a Ranger? He was buried for Ryan Strome.

[@Straight_Az]

@BigAppleHockey your right in that the rangers have to take some responsibility in his development for sure. But the guys played how many games as a ranger? How many big time goals? Game winners, game tying? I was trying to think about it and not a single one came to mind. Last year against the caps he circles the wagon three times keeping the puck away from everyone and looked good doing it. Yet doesn't even get a shot on goal. That's classic kakko. If he ever steps it up it was never going to be here imo.

[@dp6297]

Kakko sucked. He can’t even control the puck without turning it over. Give me hard nosed north and south players that crash the net and hustle.

[@BigAppleHockey]

Look back at the Traverse City goal and tell me you didn't think he was going to be the best power forward in the league

[@dp6297]

@@BigAppleHockey I’m not questioning the draft pick. I’m looking at his time here. He did some good things but he had very little impact. He wasn’t scaring the opposition that’s for sure.

[@E47rogue]

kakko was a bust period .. average 3 line player..

[@VanWailen]

Exactly 👍 💯