Kaapo Kakko is back in New York and currently quarantining in accordance with the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol before he can join the Rangers for informal workouts at the team’s practice facility, his agent, Mike Liut, told The Post.
The Finnish winger is expected to be on the ice sometime next week.
Kakko, who is entering his second season with the Rangers, trained in Turku, Finland this past offseason with numerous other NHL players, according to Liut. The group of Finnish players have a regular offseason training program and facility that many utilize during the offseason.
Skating primarily on the third line during his rookie season in 2019-20, with a handful of opportunities in the top six, the former No. 2 pick posted 10 goals and 13 assists in 66 games. In the wake of Jesper Fast’s departure to Carolina, Kakko likely will vie to be the second-line right winger this upcoming training camp.
The Rangers reopened their practice facility on Monday, adhering to the same coronavirus-related guidelines that were instilled in July ahead of the 2020 bubble playoffs. Players are expected to follow New York State requirements for quarantine and pass a requisite number of tests outside of the Rangers facility before they can enter the rink.
There have been up to 15 Rangers, split into two groups, who have already begun skating at the facility. The list includes Alexis Lafreniere, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, Tony DeAngelo, Brendan Smith, Brendan Lemieux, Brett Howden, K’Andre Miller, Julien Gauthier, Morgan Barron, Kevin Rooney, Keith Kinkaid, Brandon Crawley and Justin Richards.
The NHL and NHL Players Association have yet to come to an agreement on 2020-21 season protocols and regulations, but the sides continue to hash out the details as the target date of Jan. 13 steadily approaches.







