How Kaapo Kakko Fits Into the Seattle Kraken’s Plans

Those aren’t numbers that necessarily scream “Get rid of this guy!” By the same token, though, of the two major elements that help teams win hockey games – defense and offense – the Kraken are mostly trying to figure out how to generate more goals. They only net 2.88 per contest, which puts them no better than 21^st in the NHL. Their power play ranks even lower at 23^rd, operating at 18%.

If anything, one might be more peeved about the draft pick losses. Not that a sixth-round selection is anything to salivate over, but a third-rounder could have been useful. Then again, as we wrote extensively last summer in the lead-up to and immediately following the 2024 NHL Draft, the Kraken were extremely active with eight selections. A couple fewer picks in 2025 isn’t the end of the world.

All the same, good luck to Borgen in New York, and thanks for the memories. One supposes mixed emotions are part and parcel of following a club that’s only existed for three-plus seasons.

Kakko’s Role in Seattle

Now that we’ve discussed what the Kraken have lost, what have they gained? Frankly, a rather decent player. 

Past seasons, especially 2022-23, have hinted at what he’s capable of. This season has been subpar, given that he’s only netted four goals in 30 matches. His 10 helpers bolster his points tally to 14, which was seventh-best on the Rangers. On the flip side, as alluded to, that team is head-scratching mediocre this season. It practically defies logic.

With Seattle, Kakko can have an immediate impact and award Bylsma a new option to toy with his lines. We already know that Ryan Winterton is back with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Furthermore, speaking of storylines we’ve broached before, the Chandler Stephenson signing has, through 33 games, not lit up the Space Needle. That’s not to suggest it was a bust, as there is plenty of hockey left to be played, but few of the line combinations he’s been on have fired on all – or many – cylinders. Kakko tends to play on the right. These days, Stephenson centers with Jared McCann to his right and Andre Burakovsky to his left. 

We know McCann can also play on the left, so the club could send Burakovsky down the pecking order and try Kakko on a line with McCann and Stephenson. If the staff doesn’t want to rock the boat too much too soon, the Kakko could wet his feet on the fourth line alongside Tye Kartye and Mitchell Stephens, the latter who will presumably be sent back to Coachella when Yanni Gourde returns to the lineup. That was, after all, the line Winterton played on.

These days in Seattle, the only line that would be foolish to touch is the Eeli Tolvanen, Shane Wright, and Oliver Bjorkstrand trio.

The Rangers were in the market for trades regardless, so the Kraken might as well have made an offer to bolster their attack, which persists in being stupefyingly inconsistent. The best part is Seattle has acquired a young player whose full potential has yet to be untapped. He costs $2.4 million and will be a restricted free agent next July. There are worse situations for the Kraken to find themselves in. Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but at the very least, there is the possibility of a great career in the Pacific Northwest.