When training camp began for the New York Rangers at the training facility last week, 19 -yeard old Kaapo Kakko was on the ice with his New York Rangers teammates. His underlying medical condition has placed on the back burner with a pandemic virus on everyone’s mind.
Kakko and his Blueshirts are preparing to travel to Toronto and begin their quest for the Stanley Cup with a “win it all” attitude. The team’s 2nd overall selection in the 2018 NHL entry draft has been willing to participate in the unusual playoff format since the NHL’s Return to Play guidelines were released.
“I want to play, and I’m so young (19) that my diabetes is OK right now,” the rookie forward said to Dan Rosen of NHL.com. “Just keep sugars down and it’s going to be OK.”
The concern for Kakko is not because he is at a greater risk to get the virus, but how he will battle the virus if he should contract it. Â Rangers head coach David Quinn had a discussion with the rookie a few months back and the conversation was one of a dad talking to his son as opposed to a coach speaking to a player.
“[Kaapo] and I had a conversation maybe two months ago,” Rangers coach David Quinn said per Rosen. “When I brought it up to him it had never crossed his mind what could be at stake and the fact that he could be more vulnerable. Obviously, we did our homework, and I actually said to him, ‘You should look into it from your end too, not just the Rangers’ standpoint. Talk to your doctors back in Finland, ask them if you’re more at risk or how much more at risk you are than everybody else. And you need to be comfortable playing.’
“He’s got a great future, and his health is first and foremost, the most important thing here. Based on all the information we have and all the information he got, he’s here and eager and I don’t think he has any concerns.”
Kakko’s first season was a battle to adapt to the NHL style of play. He appeared in 66 games netting 10 goals with 23 points. The learning curve was difficult but the time away from the rink could be beneficial for a kid who so needed to find a way to recharge during a hard 82 game NHL season.
The rookie will continue to be as safe as he can with the uncertain times around him and keep preparing for the teams Qualifying Round best of five series against the Carolina Hurricanes set to begin on Aug. 1. The team will head to Toronto and have one exhibition game against the New York Islanders on July 29 (8 p.m. MSG Network).
Quinn along with the team will heavily rely on a well-rested Kakko to have a hot start right out of the gate with the hope of the team finding the hot streak that was abruptly shut down in March amid the Coronavirus.