Rangers' Kaapo Kakko out another month with upper-body injury

The New York Rangers will be without young forward Kaapo Kakko for another month, according to head coach Gerard Gallant, via Dan Rosen of NHL.com. He hasn’t played since January 21, missing the last several games before the break with the upper-body injury that’s keeping him out.

While he still hasn’t reached the level of offense that many expected from a second overall pick, Kakko has been an excellent defensive presence for the Rangers this season. His average ice time is up to 16 minutes a night with outstanding possession numbers, and although he still isn’t a regular on the penalty kill, he’s at least seen some time short-handed.

Unfortunately, he won’t get a chance to try to raise that offensive presence for a while. In 37 games, he has 14 points, just nine shy of the 23 he had as a rookie. A month would take him out for another dozen games, after which he’d need to find his footing once again.

The team recalled Morgan Barron on Friday morning, but he may not be in the lineup for long. The 23-year-old has one point in nine games, playing less than 10 minutes in five of his appearances, and could soon be replaced by Filip Chytil, who could return against the Boston Bruins when the Rangers come back from their long break next week.