Seattle, WA

Former Top Pick Thriving With Kraken

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2025

As the No. 2 overall pick by the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kappo Kakko entered the league with extremely high expectations. Unfortunately, he didn’t live up to those expectations throughout his time on Broadway.

The Finnish forward joined the Rangers at just 18-years-old, when he realistically should’ve had more time to develop. Kakko had 131 points (61 goals, 70 assists) in 330 regular-season games with New York, an average of around 0.4 points per game. He had some stretches of strong play, but with his season-high in points being just 40, it’s safe to say the Rangers expected more.

In December, they made the decision to move on from Kakko, shipping him off to the Seattle Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen and two 2025 draft picks. However, the change of scenery seems to be working wonders for Kakko.

Seattle Kraken forward Kaapo Kakko against the Calgary Flames

Feb 8, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko (84) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images / Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Since arriving in Seattle, Kakko has been scoring at a rate he never did in New York, recording 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists). That averages out to around 0.68 points per game and 55 points over a full 82-game season, which would shatter his career-high.

His latest goal was one of his best as well. Halfway through the third period in Friday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, Kakko stole the puck along the boards and scored on the wraparound to give Seattle a 3-2 lead. Fello Finn, Eeli Tolvanen, would later add on an empty-net goal, lifting Seattle to a 4-2 victory at home.

The Kraken are nine points outside the playoff picture with a month to go, and them trading away key pieces such as Yanni Gourde, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Brandon Tanev basically ensures that they’ll miss the postseason for the third time in their four-year history.

For a young, developing player like Kakko, though, this experience is incredibly valuable. He’s no longer facing pressure to contribute to a Stanley Cup contender like he was in New York, and can instead develop at his own pace. As a result, he’s playing some of the best hockey of his career.

Kakko is a pending restricted free agent and thus will need a new contract by the summer, but his future in Seattle looks bright regardless.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

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Seattle, WA

Kraken lose 5th straight game, Jets 6-2 win pushes Seattle further from playoffs

Published

7 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Kraken lose 5th straight game, Jets 6-2 win pushes Seattle further from playoffs

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Kraken dropped their fifth-straight game as the Jets won 6-2 in Winnipeg.

The loss adds to the dwindling Stanley Cup Playoff hopes for a Kraken team that’s made the postseason just once since the team began playing in the 2021-2022 season.

The Kraken’s (32-33-11) 75 points trail the Nashville Predators’ 81 points with just six games remaining.

The Jets, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Saint Louis Blues are ahead of the Kraken in the standings as teams jockey for Wild Card spots.

Kraken captain Jordan Eberle opened the scoring in the first period to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.

The Jets then scored once in the first period and twice in the second to take a 3-2 advantage into the third.

Goalkeeper Joey Daccord was pulled after allowing two goals on 12 shots.

Forward Jared McCann scored early in the third period to bring the Kraken to within one.

The Jets then scored two unanswered goals and an empty-net goal to seal the 6-2 win.

Up next

The Kraken play at the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.

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Seattle, WA

Our highlight list for your West Seattle Monday!

Published

19 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Our highlight list for your West Seattle Monday!

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

Here’s the Monday list of highlights, most (but not all) from our West Seattle Event Calendar:

PUBLIC HEARING ON UPZONING PROPOSAL: As previewed here, the City Council is holding an all-day public hearing, both in-person and online/phone, under way right now – the agenda explains how to participate.

FREE TAX HELP: The deadline’s nearing … If you need assistance, today from 11 am-4 pm, find drop-in help at Alki Masonic Center. (4736 40th SW)

BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). Free.

NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Regular 2 pm meeting is canceled today because of the aforementioned all-day hearing.

LONG-DISTANCE ADVOCACY: Write postcards to far-away voters with West Seattle Indivisible, 3:30-5:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: In baseball, West Seattle HS vs. Seattle Academy, 3:30 pm at Delridge Playfield (4501 Delridge Way SW); at 4 pm, the Chief Sealth IHS boys’ tennis team plays Rainier Beach at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle); also at 4 pm at NCSWAC vs. Rainier Beach, West Seattle HS plays softball.

FREE HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in assistance for K-12 students at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

‘BEFORE THE BADGE’: 5:30 pm, community conversation with SPD recruits, online; our calendar listing explains how to participate.

D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!

‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)

ALKI MEDITATION: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three venues for trivia/quiz tonight! Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … and 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

POOL TOURNAMENT: If you play pool, you’re invited to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 9 pm Mondays, karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Big thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Seattle, WA

WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 8 views of our feathered neighbors

Published

1 day ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 8 views of our feathered neighbors

Thanks for continuing to send West Seattle bird photos! We’ve gathered a few for this gallery. Above, Dan Ciske‘s view of Brant in the sunset; below, Robin Sinner photographed them earlier in the day:

Robin also shared this photo of a Barrow’s Goldeneye:

Leucistic (“caramel”) Crows turn up in West Seattle from time to time – Mark Rhea photographed this one:

Here’s a more conventionally colored one, courtesy of K. Smith:

K. also sent this unidentified bird (do you recognize it?):

And we have more recent views of the baby Anna’s Hummingbirds that recently fledged at West Seattle Nursery (WSB sponsor) – from Suzanne Krom:

And from Jerry Simmons:

Again, huge thanks to everyone who shares photos, from birds to breaking news and beyond – westseattleblog@gmail.com or (when urgent) text 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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