Kaapo Kakko’s summer of mystery is over.
The 24-year-old forward and the Seattle Kraken agreed to terms on a three-year extension on Tuesday, annually worth $4.525 million.
Kakko and the Kraken avoid arbitration by coming to an agreement on the new contract, a realistic possibility after the previous restricted free agent reportedly filed for arbitration on July 5. Yet, the vision remained from Kraken management to formalize a new deal for Kakko, ever since the conclusion of this past season.
"Getting a contract done with Kaapo was a top priority this summer," Kraken general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement.
"We knew quickly he'd be a big part of our team moving forward. He's got size, skill and tremendous playmaking ability, and isn't afraid of going to the net.”
That realization hit the Kraken soon after his trade from the New York Rangers last winter on December 18 in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen, offering Kakko a clean slate after his time in New York ended in conflict with former head coach Peter Laviolette, who benched Kakko shortly before the deal.
Kakko, who was taken by the Rangers six years ago at second overall in the NHL Entry Draft, responded by ripping off 12 points in his first 14 games in Seattle, and immediately connecting with center Matty Beniers and left winger Jaden Schwartz to form one of the hottest lines in the NHL over the ensuing month. He finished the season with 14 goals and a career-high 44 points in 79 games – a total however that was heavily weighted toward his new home in Seattle.
Following the trade, Kakko’s surge out of an early season slumber boasted a respectable 30 points and 10 goals in just 49 games with the Kraken, a 50-point pace over the course of a full 82-game season.
His large frame, defensive reputation, puck possession magnet, and sneaky hard shot are among the qualities that suggest there’s still more untapped potential to his game, in a place where he’s logging heavy minutes and cracked the Finland lineup at this past winter’s Four Nations Faceoff. The Kraken have vocalized their desire to adapt their roster to a heavier and more imposing complexion. Kakko's attributes fit those qualities, leaving the potential of finally topping the 20-goal mark as a matter of question. He came within sniffing distance of that though recently, with a career-high 18 goals two seasons ago.
With new beginnings now secured, he'll have a full season to put the projections of his new surroundings into play. That environment also includes his new bench boss with head coach in Lane Lambert, replacing the fired Dan Bylsma on June 9 as the Kraken have sought a new voice behind the bench to solidify their defensive game, while still maintaining a high-octane skating identity to create offense.
Kakko’s deal leaves the Kraken with $6.6 million in available cap space according to puckpedia.com, with young defenseman Ryker Evans still yet to be signed as a restricted free agent.