Seattle Kraken right-winger Kaapo Kakko is finding his groove and starting to thrive his new team after being traded from the New York Rangers in December.

The hope when the Seattle Kraken acquired forward Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers was that the former second-overall pick could reignite his stale career.

Kakko spent Christmas in Seattle at Tolvanen’s house, although the newly acquired winger fielded inquiries from several other Kraken players. The Finns last played together in 2019, so they had a lot to catch up on, sharing “dumb” summer stories and reflecting on their shared history.

Kaapo Kakko scored twice in the third period, Joey Daccord made 33 saves and the Seattle Kraken overcame an early two-goal deficit to beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 on Saturday.

The Seattle Kraken missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2024 after surprising the hockey world in the playoffs the year before. Seattle hoped they could make the dance in 2025, and made a major coaching change as a result.

Instant chemistry between Kaapo Kakko and Matty Beniers has generated some cautious optimism for the Kraken, with both enjoying productive stretches.

The metrics under the hood tell a curious story centered on one basic fact: Kakko and his linemates are on a shooting hot streak while Lafreniere and his linemates are in a shooting slump.

When captain Jordan Eberle eventually returns from the injured list, the Seattle Kraken might need to find another spot for him in the lineup. Because it appears their top line is set with Jaden Schwartz,

Since being traded away by the New York Rangers, forward Kaapo Kakko has found a new home with the Seattle Kraken. Amid a hot streak, the 23-year-old Finn dropped a bold message, aiming at Peter Laviolette and his former team.

Denton Mateychuk and Luca Del Bel Belluz, both recent callups from the AHL, each had a goal and an assist to help lift the Columbus Blue Jackets over the Seattle Kraken 6-2.

A look at the game “by the numbers.” - The Kraken dominated possession in the first 40 minutes of play earning 52-percent of all shot volume and 66-percent of all shot quality before focusing on a defensive effort in the final twenty minutes of play.

Trading young talent away almost never works for the Blueshirts – and there's no reason to assume why it would be any different this time.