The Rangers had a top-two pick in successive drafts in 2019 and 2020, the kind of lottery fortune designed to alter a franchise’s fortunes if those selections pan out favorably.
Neither Kaapo Kakko, taken second overall in 2019, nor Alexis Lafreniere, the following year’s top pick, were immediate stars for the Blueshirts.
The latter finally enjoyed a breakout in his fourth NHL campaign while aligned mostly with All-Star linemates Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, posting career highs in goals (28), points (57) and shots (217) while appearing in all 82 regular-season games.
The Blueshirts still await a similar upward trajectory for the 23-year-old Kakko, who was re-signed in June to a one-year deal worth $2.4 million.
The winger registered only 19 points (13-6) in 61 regular-season appearances one year ago, missing nearly seven weeks bridging November and January with a lower-body injury. He also was a healthy scratch in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference Final elimination at the hands of the Panthers before returning to play the final four games of the series.
“I feel like that’s the question every year when I come back in,” Kakko said over the weekend when asked if he expects to take a leap forward in 2024-25. “I felt like two years ago, I had kind of my best season, and I was ready to do that last year. I feel like that’s the question after every summer.
“Maybe this time, it’s better to not think about it and give my best, and hopefully, it comes.”
Kakko, who had an 18-22-40 season in 2022-23, and linemate Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle played in Sunday’s preseason-opening win in Boston, with Chytil posting a goal and an assist.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette held out his top two lines from traveling, but more regulars figure to dress at the Garden for Tuesday’s preseason game against the Islanders.
“I played with Will last year, also. I know what he can do out there, and I’ve been playing a lot with Fil,” said Kakko, who spent most of the summer in his native Finland. “It’s a new season, and it’s still only a couple of practices together, but I feel we all know what we can do out there, and I think we can be a good line.”
Lafreniere’s unit with Panarin and Trocheck gives the Rangers two dynamic lines, with Mika Zibanejad centering Chris Kreider and trade-pickup Reilly Smith as the other combination.
The 22-year-old Lafreniere said he spent the summer working on his skating, and he believes “there is still a step to take” ahead of restricted free agency next summer when his two-year, $4.65 million deal expires.
“It’s pretty simple: Every year, [I’m] trying to get better,” Lafreniere said, “take the next step and produce more and play a more complete game to help the team win. … I feel like I want to take that step this year.”
Lafreniere’s numbers likely would get a boost from added power-play time, but the first unit with the man advantage — Zibanejad, Trocheck, Kreider, Panarin and defenseman Adam Fox — has been tough to crack. Lafreniere scored 26 of his 28 goals last year at even strength.
“I wouldn’t mind it. I feel like every player wants [power-play time], but I don’t really care about that. I just want to compete and produce,” Lafreniere said. “It doesn’t change much, when I get out there I try to play good hockey. I’ll go out there whenever my name is called and try to help the team win.”
Goalie Hugo Ollas was assigned Monday to AHL Hartford.
