Kaapo Kakko is not the problem, but he’s the scapegoat

Every team needs a scapegoat. For the New York Rangers, that scapegoat is Kaapo Kakko. A healthy scratch over the weekend for no apparent reason other than he’s Kaapo Kakko, the former second overall pick did not mince words with the media today, stating he simply did not understand why he was scratched and there was little communication between him and coach Peter Laviolette.

Kakko is essentially the scapegoat for this team right now. There was zero justification for making him the healthy scratch, especially when guys like Jonny Brodzinski and Jimmy Vesey played while Artemi Panarin was/is hurt. Kakko has been one of the few bright spots and there was some hope he and the Rangers could work things out.

Now it’s abundantly clear, Kakko is going to continue to be the scapegoat. The veterans will continue to play. Kakko will probably be traded, given his “soft trade request.” Laviolette has been mostly good for the Rangers, but this is a mistake he needs to own and address.