Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko seems to be the most confident version of himself when he dons Finland’s blue and white jersey. 

It may just be a by-product of feeling at home and speaking his native language, but there’s also no doubt that the significance of his role with Finland at the 2023 IIHF World Championships, and other previous international tournaments, gives Kakko a sort of tenacity that has only come out sporadically in the NHL. 

Finding the right spot in the lineup and on the power-play units for Kakko, as well as Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil, will be one of the most important tasks the Rangers’ new coaching staff will have to tackle at the start of next season. 

Kakko has never been shy about saying exactly what he’s thinking.

When he was asked what the next step for him is during his end-of-the-season interview with the media, the 22-year-old winger did not hesitate to campaign for the kind of role he has become accustomed to with his national team. 

“I think maybe get some power-play time and also play more, that’s the next step,” Kakko said. “I think there were some good things I [did] in the O-zone, like staying with the puck close to the net, get some chances over there, that’s my game. Just keep playing like that and play more next season. That’s the goal.” 

In Finland’s 4-3 win over Germany on Saturday, Kakko made an explosive play in the corner to evade a defender before dishing the puck to Canadiens forward Joel Armia in the high slot to opening the scoring. 

It was the kind of sequence the Rangers have seen a few times from Kakko, who just finished his fourth NHL season. 

If there were a Most Improved Player award for each NHL team, Kakko would probably have won it for the Rangers this season.

He went from a healthy scratch in Game 6 of the conference final in 2021-22 to smashing all his previous career highs in goals (18), assists (22) and points (40) while skating in all 82 games for the first time. 

In addition to being proud of his ability to stay healthy, Kakko was pleased with his season overall. 

“I think I also played maybe my best season over here,” he said. “So happy about that.” 

The jury is still out on whether Kakko, Lafreniere and Chytil are better together as a line or if they can make it on their own separately.

Chytil, who the Rangers signed to a four-year, $17.75 million contract in March, is currently playing for Czechia, while Lafreniere is a restricted free agent and is not competing for Team Canada. 

Considering what the personnel pool could look like at the start of training camp, the Rangers likely hope to disperse the Kid Line throughout the rest of the lineup. 

Kakko skated the first 13 games of this season on the right side of Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, and on the 14th contest Artemi Panarin replaced Kreider.

It wasn’t until Dec. 7 that Kakko got back on the top line, with Lafreniere and Zibanejad, for just three games. 

He only saw 10 more games in that spot for the remainder of the season, giving Kakko 26 total opportunities on the first unit. 

The Rangers next head coach may want to commit to more of an extended look at Kakko in the top-six. 

If not now, then when? 

Asked if he hoped the Rangers look to him as an option for their top two lines instead of elsewhere, Kakko naturally advocated for himself once again. 

“Yeah, of course,” Kakko said. “I think all the guys try to be top-six. I try to be the guy also.”