Kaapo Kakko Week-to-Week with Lower Body Injury, Still Seeking Offensive Breakout

Kaapo Kakko (lower body) is currently considered week-to-week. The 2019 No. 2 overall pick has yet to consistently deliver on his offensive promise at the NHL level. He missed significant time last season with a lower-body injury, playing just 61 games and recording 13 goals and 18 points, and was a healthy scratch in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite being mentioned in trade rumors, Kakko signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract and is expected to return to a third-line, penalty-killing role for the Presidents' Trophy winners. He showed improvement in 2022-23 with 18 goals and 22 assists in 82 games, occasionally getting top-line opportunities. While his rookie season was challenging, his defensive play has improved, and there's still hope for a 20-goal, 50-point campaign if his game fully clicks.