Kaapo Kakko injury update: Skating with Rangers, return coming soon?

We finally have another Kaapo Kakko injury update, as he was skating with the Rangers this morning in a red non-contact jersey. This is the first update we’ve had since it was reported he was skating on his own two weeks ago. Now that he’s with the team, it does feel that a return is coming sooner rather than later.

Before the news today, the logical thought process was Kakko would return following the All Star break and the Rangers’ bye week. Skating with the team is a big step in the right direction. Assuming no setbacks, the best case scenario is that he gets to skating in a regular practice without a non-contact jersey. That would signal when he is ready to return to the lineup.

Given the lines from practice, it’s safe to assume Kakko would slide into the 3RW role when he returns. There’s a strong case for him to be reunited with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but that’s a topic for another day.