“Trust is like a vase; once it’s broken, though you can fix it, the vase will never be the same again.” Painter and writer Walter Anderson wasn’t referring specifically to Kaapo Kakko when he said this – but he could have been.
Kakko, now a valued member* of the Seattle Kraken, once was the 2nd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. They, media and fans expected superstar results. When Kakko didn’t produce them in a New York minute, all constituencies tore into him.
*Just how valuable we’ll find out in the coming weeks, as the front office works on signing the restricted free agent to a new deal.
Whether Kakko deserved the level of criticism depends on who you ask. But that the vitriol shattered Kakko’s confidence was apparent. He wasn’t trusted, and that impacted how he played. Seattle GM Ron Francis rode to the rescue in December, trading defenseman Will Borgen to the Rangers for the Finnish winger.
He skated 17 minutes per night, 2:30 more than he averaged in his six seasons in New York. Coaches also told him he wouldn’t be punished for creativity, even if a play didn’t work out. Kakko flourished in Seattle, finishing with 10 goals and 20 assists in 49 games.
I asked Kakko what part trust played in the elevation of his performance for this Kraken Reaction.