It has been a busy day for the Kraken. After making 21 cuts from their coaching camp roster earlier Saturday, they’ll now be and not using a key ahead when the common season will get underway. The crew introduced (Twitter link) that winger Kaapo Kakko is predicted to overlook the following six weeks resulting from a damaged hand.
Kakko was acquired midseason from the Rangers final season in change for defenseman William Borgen, plus 2025 third and sixth-round picks. The transfer labored for New York as they rapidly locked up Borgen to a long-term deal whereas it additionally labored fairly effectively for the Kraken.
It is a robust blow for Kaapo Kakko
Earlier than the swap, Kakko had simply 4 targets and 10 assists in 30 video games however the change of surroundings helped him rediscover his offensive kind. He picked up 10 targets and 20 helpers in 49 video games with Seattle whereas his taking part in time went up by practically 4 minutes per recreation to a little bit over 17 minutes an evening as he turned an everyday of their high six. He additionally had a pair of assists in two video games on this month’s preseason motion.
Within the 2024 offseason, Kakko seemed like a doable non-tender candidate earlier than successfully accepting his $2.4M qualifying provide earlier than it was even formally tendered. However the way in which he completed up with Seattle gave him way more leverage heading into an arbitration-eligible summer season and he was in a position to ink a three-year, $13.575M pact that provides him some safety and the Kraken two further years of membership management.
It’s a tricky blow for the 24-year-old as that second-half constructive momentum is now on maintain since he’ll miss at the very least the primary month of the season. Whereas Seattle shouldn’t have to put him on LTIR on condition that they’ve loads of cap flexibility for the time being, Kakko will likely be eligible to go on there if obligatory as he’ll miss at the very least 10 video games and 24 days. From there, he’ll hope to choose up the place he left off as Seattle will likely be relying on him to be a top-six piece for them upon his return.
