The Seattle Kraken announced on Tuesday that they have signed winger Kaapo Kakko to a three-year contract extension.
“Getting a contract done with Kaapo was a top priority this summer,” Kraken GM Jason Botterill said in a team statement. “We knew quickly he’d be a big part of our team moving forward. He’s got size, skill and tremendous playmaking ability, and isn’t afraid of going to the net. He fit in immediately with our group, and we’re thrilled to have him under contract.”
Kaako, the 2nd-overall pick of the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL Draft, desperately needed a change of scenery from the logjam in the forward group in Gotham. That change came on December 18th of 2024 when the Blueshirts shipped the big Finn to Seattle for defenseman Will Borgen and two 2025 draft picks; one in the 3rd-round and the other in the 6th.
It worked. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound left-shot right wing had his best ever NHL point-per-game performance after joining the Kraken, with 30 points over 49 games. Nothing prior to that came close.
Kaako found some chemistry with center Matty Beniers and left wing Jaden Schwartz, a likely combination when training camp opens in September.
The 24-year-old will earn $4.525-million per season through 2027-’28.
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