Kaapo Kakko admits his confidence shifted after leaving the Rangers, reflecting on how the change impacted his growth and outlook, acknowledging challenges and progress following the team’s decision to part ways.

Kaapo Kakko, the highly touted Finnish forward, has faced a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges throughout his NHL career. Once seen as a future cornerstone for the New York Rangers, Kakko’s time with the team has been filled with ups and downs. But in recent reflections, Kakko has opened up about how his departure from the Rangers, whether due to trade rumors or a shift in his role, had a significant impact on his confidence and development as a player.

The Rangers, after selecting Kakko second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, had high expectations for the young forward. However, his journey with the team was not a smooth one, as the pressures of being a top pick and the expectations from both the organization and the fans weighed heavily on him. Now, after departing the Rangers in a trade, Kakko has been able to reflect on how the experience changed his outlook and approach to the game, ultimately contributing to his growth.

The Early Days: Expectations and Pressure

Kaapo Kakko’s career started with immense hype. As one of the top prospects in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kakko was highly regarded as a potential future star. His stellar performances for Finland at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where he helped lead the team to a gold medal, further solidified his status as one of the most promising young players in the world. He was seen as a key piece to the Rangers’ rebuild, expected to step into the NHL with immediate impact.

Kakko’s size, skill, and two-way ability were all assets that made him stand out, and many believed he could be the player who would help lead the Rangers back into contention. But stepping into the spotlight of the NHL is no easy task, and Kakko, like many young players, quickly learned that there was more to adjusting to the league than simply being a highly skilled player.

The first season was challenging for Kakko. While he showed flashes of brilliance, he also struggled with consistency. There were moments where his skill and hockey IQ were on full display, but those were often followed by stretches of games where he was invisible on the ice. The pressure of being a second overall pick weighed on him, and with the Rangers’ rebuilding process in full swing, there were high expectations not just for Kakko’s performance, but for his growth into a future star.

But no player can be expected to develop without facing obstacles, and it was during these first few years in New York that Kakko began to face a shift in his mental game.

A Struggle with Confidence

As Kakko’s early years in the NHL progressed, his confidence began to waver. The lack of consistent production combined with the pressure of being one of the Rangers’ future cornerstones led to some struggles, both on and off the ice. Confidence is key to success in the NHL, and Kakko found himself facing a mental battle that many young players go through: the conflict between believing in his ability and managing the growing pressure from the outside world.

Kakko often found himself dealing with uncertainty regarding his role on the Rangers. Was he supposed to be the offensive juggernaut the team expected, or was he simply a piece in the puzzle that had yet to be fully figured out? His role fluctuated as the Rangers’ depth chart shifted, and he was moved around the lineup, at times on the second line, other times on the third. This inconsistency in ice time and role did not help his growth, and in turn, his confidence began to take a hit.

Rangers fans, who had high hopes for the Finnish forward, also began to question his development. The frustration over Kakko’s perceived lack of progress mirrored what he was feeling internally. The once highly confident young prospect started to question his ability to deliver on the promise he had shown as a teenager.

The internal pressure grew, and the self-doubt crept in. Would he ever live up to his potential? Was he a bust, or was this just part of the growing pains of a young player adjusting to the rigors of the NHL?

A Change in Scenery: Departure from the Rangers

In a professional career filled with uncertainty, a change of scenery can be a blessing for many players. For Kaapo Kakko, that shift came with a trade from the New York Rangers. Although Kakko’s departure from the Rangers was not necessarily his choice, it marked a new chapter in his career—one that would bring both challenges and opportunities.

Leaving the Rangers was a bittersweet moment for Kakko. While it was clear that things were not working out the way many had hoped, he still had fond memories of his time with the organization. Kakko had made strong connections with teammates, coaches, and the fans, but the realities of the business side of the NHL meant that his time in New York was coming to an end. For Kakko, the departure represented a fresh start and an opportunity to rediscover his confidence, but it also forced him to confront the reality of his struggles with the Rangers.

At the time of his departure, Kakko admitted that the trade was both emotional and difficult. But the change of scenery would turn out to be a turning point in his career. Leaving behind the weight of expectations in New York allowed him the mental space to reset. Kakko would no longer be viewed as the Rangers’ “next big thing”—he could start over and develop without the constant pressure of living up to a draft-day reputation.

The Impact of the Departure on Kakko’s Confidence

Kaapo Kakko’s confidence shifted significantly after his trade. No longer tethered to the expectations he had faced in New York, he found that the move helped him refocus on his game and his development. The pressure of being the second overall pick, paired with the weight of trying to carry a franchise’s hopes, had affected Kakko’s mental game. Moving away from the Rangers allowed him to view the game with a renewed sense of clarity and perspective.

Kakko acknowledged in interviews that while his departure from the Rangers was a tough pill to swallow, it gave him the space to regain his confidence. He could focus on growing as a player without the constant scrutiny. He didn’t have to worry about fitting into the Rangers’ vision of what he should be. Instead, he was able to take a step back, evaluate his game, and start fresh.

He began to focus more on his strengths—the skill and the vision that had made him one of the top picks in the 2019 Draft. With fewer distractions, Kakko found a sense of calm and clarity that he had previously lacked. He could now see himself as the player he always believed he could be, not the player that others expected him to become.

The experience also helped Kakko grow mentally. He learned how to deal with adversity and how to move past self-doubt. His departure from the Rangers became a crucial lesson in resilience. Kakko now understood that he needed to be patient with himself and trust in his abilities, even when external circumstances weren’t ideal. His confidence became more rooted in his understanding of himself as a player, rather than how others saw him.

Growth Beyond the Game

Kakko’s time away from the Rangers has allowed him to grow not just as a player, but as a person. The experience of dealing with the challenges and pressures of the NHL has given him a deeper appreciation for his own journey. While the early years in New York were filled with uncertainty, the lessons learned from those experiences have made him more grounded in his approach to hockey.

His growth has been evident in his performance and his mental game. He has become more assertive, understanding that his confidence comes from within, not from external validation. Kakko’s self-awareness has grown, and with it, his understanding of how to navigate the demands of the NHL. His journey has been filled with obstacles, but the change in scenery allowed him to embrace those challenges, reflect on his past, and use them as stepping stones toward greater success.

The road may have been rocky for Kakko, but he now knows that every setback was an opportunity to learn and grow. He has developed a stronger, more resilient mindset that will serve him well as he continues to shape his career.