Breaking into the NHL at 18 years of age is no small task, but New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko isn't making any excuses for his sluggish start.
“We’re not playing good right now as a team, and I’m not playing good,” Kakko said, according to the New York Post's Brett Cyrgalis.
He added, "I'm playing bad hockey."
The Rangers selected Kakko with the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. The Finland native has just one goal and one assist through the first seven games of his career.
Kakko's ice time has decreased over four consecutive outings, and he played a season-low 9:51 in an overtime loss against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday.
“Of course (it’s not fun) because we are not winning the games right now,” Kakko said. “But, hopefully it’s getting better. Like, next game, maybe I feel better.”
Since winning their first two contests of the season, the Rangers have lost five straight and have found the net just nine times. They'll look to get back on track at home on Thursday night against the first-place Buffalo Sabres.
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