Aside from David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy and a few others, the Boston Bruins did not dress many regulars in Thursday’s preseason game. The New York Rangers, in turn, did what they were supposed to do with a much more complete roster: controlled play and won 5-2.
Kaapo Kakko, coming off a disappointing 2023-24 season, jumped out on the ice in 15:51 of playing time. He didn’t score but finished the night with seven shots.
Another good save from Brandon Bussi, this time denying Kaapo Kakko’s quick release. pic.twitter.com/ORRDJdCI1N
— Bear With Me (@BearWithMe_Pod) September 26, 2024
“I thought his line (Thursday) was really good,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “I thought the puck was on his stick quite a bit. To be able to have that balance and that depth somewhere in your top nine, wherever it pans out, can make it a really dangerous hockey team.”
Kakko’s assertiveness against the Bruins is an encouraging sign, even if it came against a flawed lineup. Last season, he never had more than five shots in a game.
Laviolette said going into the summer that he “didn’t find it” with Kakko in 2023-24 and that he believed the winger had another level. The Finn finished the season with only 19 points in 61 games, and the Rangers made him a healthy scratch for a game in the playoffs.
“He didn’t hit probably the way he wanted or the way that I wanted or we wanted, so those conversations were just to reset and come back into camp in great shape, which he did,” Laviolette said Friday when asked about his communication with Kakko.
“I feel I always come here ready to go and feel pretty good,” Kakko said coming into camp. “The same thing: just try to be as good as I can and be my best. That’s all I can do.”
Now 23, Kakko probably isn’t going to develop into the star the Rangers envisioned when drafting him No. 2 in 2019. But he’s shown in the past he can be a quality middle-six contributor, having scored 18 goals and 40 points in 2022-23. Perhaps he can return to that form on a line with left wing Will Cuylle and center Filip Chytil, with whom he has experience from their five seasons as teammates. That line had nearly 90 percent of the five-on-five expected goal share against the Bruins on Thursday, according to Natural Stat Trick.
“I’m sure (Kakko) would like to be a piece of the power-play units, I’m sure he’d like to have more minutes, more impact, and I’d like to facilitate that if I can,” Laviolette said. “It’s got to be warranted as well, but it’s been a good start.”
Mancini continues roster push
Victor Mancini has jumped out throughout preseason action, and Laviolette paired him with Adam Fox at practice Friday. Mancini is a right-shot defenseman, but he’s played on his off side in the past. Ryan Lindgren, Fox’s normal partner, got hurt Tuesday in a fight with the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield. He’s out for at least a few weeks with an upper-body injury.
“There’s an opportunity for somebody to jump in and fill a spot right now,” Laviolette said. “So we’re just looking at the possibilities.”
Connor Mackey played with Fox on Thursday but got beat by Brett Harrison on the Bruins’ first goal, though a Fox turnover was the root of the chance. Mancini, meanwhile, was on the right side next to Zac Jones. He was one of three Rangers skaters to play over 20 minutes, joining established NHLers K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba.
“He moves so well for a big guy,” Jones said. “He’s physical, has got a little bit of offensive touch to him. I heard him saying he’s more of a defensive-first guy, and it shows, but I think he’s got a little more offense than he gives himself credit for.”
Laviolette’s decision to try Mancini on the left side is an indication that the youngster is getting an honest look, despite his limited professional experience in North America. He played only 17 games for AHL Hartford last season after his college season at Nebraska-Omaha ended. The Rangers might end up choosing to send him down since he’s waiver-exempt, but he’s been practicing with the main NHL group.
Jones has likely solidified himself as one of the top-six defensemen on opening night, but if Lindgren misses regular-season games, there’s another spot up for grabs. Plus the Rangers normally carry a seventh defenseman. Chad Ruhwedel and Mackey are among those competing for one of those final two defensive spots. Ben Harpur, who was another possibility, was put on waivers Friday, per PuckPedia.
Quick-hit observations and notes
• Along with Harpur, the Rangers also put forwards Alex Belzile and Jake Leschyshyn on waivers Friday, according to PuckPedia.
• Brennan Othmann skated with the NHL group Friday after his one-goal, two-point night against the Bruins.
• New York’s next preseason game is Monday in Newark. The Devils’ main roster will be in Prague for a pair of Global Series games, so it will be an AHL-heavy lineup for New Jersey.
• Reilly Smith has skated with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad almost all preseason. “Chris is putting the puck in the back of the net, so that’s always nice,” he said of the line’s progress. “I think we’re trying to forecheck quickly. I think that’s when we’ve played best so far.” The newcomer added that he thinks they can still get better doing it continuously.
(Top photo of Victor Mancini: Joshua Sarner / Getty Images)
