Nov 1, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate an overtime win against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Blake Dahlin-Imagn Images Blake Dahlin-Imagn Images

Rangers Players Reunite With Former Teammates in Seattle

Originally posted on Breakaway on SI | By Hannah Eng | Last updated Nov 2, 2025 11:00 AM ET

The New York Rangers battled the Seattle Kraken on the road with an overtime win, bringing their record to 6-5-2. A pre-puck drop reunion took place in Seattle between former Rangers and current Rangers players. Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren had the chance to catch up with old friends and teammates before their matchup.

Kakko and Lindgren are now on the Kraken. In an away game for the Rangers, the players got to see these nostalgic faces they haven’t seen since the trade. The Rangers continue on their winning streak with an overtime win of 3-2. The win still mattered to the Rangers, but if they didn’t win, they would probably still reunite with Kakko and Lindgren for dinner. When the horn went off, the game was over. As fans left the arena, the boys made plans to catch up over dinner.

Kakko and Urho Vaakanainen got together last night too!
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) November 1, 2025

Kakko was traded to the Kraken on December 18, 2024. Being that the Rangers were his first and only team in his NHL career, it was probably hard to say goodbye to his friends. He was drafted by the Rangers in 2019 during the second round.

Lindgren wasn’t an original Ranger like Kakko was, but he joined the Rangers in February of 2018. He could be considered a veteran; they did sell his jersey at MSG for many years. Lindgren didn’t go to the Kraken right away; he made a pit stop with the Colorado Avalanche during the trade. He went to the Avalanche on Mar 2, 2025, but moved to the Kraken shortly after, in July. As a result, Kakko got to have a familiar Ranger face in the locker room again.

A New York Ranger Reunion Worth Remembering

Kakko was especially happy to see his former team, which was essentially his family. The Rangers must have been ecstatic to see him, too, because there was a line of hugs for him outside the Rangers’ locker room. A tender moment for this reunion; he loved being a Ranger.

Former #NYR Kaapo Kakko has been hanging outside of the visiting locker room saying hi to every single staff member for a bit now. There’s a line for hugs.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) November 1, 2025

The boys got dinner the day before the game, hosted by Lindgren. A perfect catch-up before the matchup when hockey is the focus. Nostalgia was in the air when everyone got together again. They all feasted on Italian food; carbs that probably aided the Rangers' win. It was good to see the boys catch up; it’s been so long since they got together. The next time they face each other is on January 12, 2026.

#NYR Adam Fox, Alexis Lafrenière, Will Cuylle, Jonathan Quick, Jonny Brodzinski and Braden Schneider went over to Ryan Lindgren’s place last night for dinner. Kaapo Kakko came too.

Lindgren picked up some Italian food!
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) November 1, 2025

This article first appeared on Breakaway on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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