The Rangers management feverishly tried to reach the Finn.
Kaapo Kakko is moving from New York to Seattle. AOP/USA Today Sports
Kaapo Kakko ignores the claims that the transfer to the Seattle Kraken was related to the comments he made about his ex-club New York Rangers.
Kakko criticized Rangers coach Peter Laviolette’s actions in an interview with the New York Post on Wednesday. Laviolette had previously dismissed Kako from the lineup.
– I think it was just an easy solution to bench the young guy. I haven’t been on the ice very often when the opponent has scored. I haven’t been the worst player on the team, but still I was thrown out of the lineup, Kakko said at the time.
The Finnish striker did not go to retract his words at the Kraken press conference on Thursday.
– I was frustrated when I posted those comments, but I was honest and said what I thought. Rangers have a lot of good players, and some play overpower and some underpower. I didn’t play either, so I kind of understand that solution.
– I don’t think the transfer was due to my words. The team didn’t play well enough, and the club just had to do something. I was waiting for something to happen and I knew it could be me moving.
Move mumbled
Kakko revealed that he had already had discussions about a possible deal before.
– It was talked about. I always liked being in New York, but especially after last season… It was a bad year for me. However, I also felt that I could have gotten on the ice more often to show what I can do.
– I didn’t have a contract after last season, so I’m thinking about what would be best for me and the team in the future. We talked about it, but I ended up signing an extension.
Kakko received a call about the Kraken transfer while he was in the sauna. So he didn’t have time to answer right away.
– I was going to dinner with the team and I grabbed the phone. I had been called three times, he recalled.
The striker feels that he now needs a new start to his career. In Rangers, the next step to become a scorer has not come.
– I hope I get a chance in Seattle. At least that’s what the coach told me.