It’s only been a few days, but Kaapo Kakko has already got a taste of what his new life will be like. He flew into Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday and was greeted by a number of Rangers fans. Later on, he got to see New York City for the first time. “It was so nice,’’ Kakko, the 6-foot-2 Finnish forward taken second overall in the NHL draft on Friday, said. “I was walking downtown, and it was so big and nice.’’ On Monday, he put on a Blueshirt for the first time, and had a workout with his fellow prospects on the first day of the team’s developmental camp at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. Following the camp, Kakko will go home to Finland to train and rest. Then it’s back to his new home. “My next goal is to play in the NHL next season,” said the 18-year-old Kakko, who scored 22 goals in 45 games for TPS in Finland’s top pro league and helped Finland win a gold medal at the World Championships. see also It's time to start dreaming about this new Rangers crop You didn’t even have to squint to be able to... That seems like more of an inevitability than a goal. General manager Jeff Gorton believes 19-year-old winger Vitali Kravtsov, last year’s first-round pick (ninth overall) who played in the KHL last season, has a shot to make the team. “I think he’s going to be right there,” Gorton said. “He’s going to come in and try to win a job like a few other guys. Why shouldn’t he think like that? He’s played in the KHL for a few years and been successful. He’s doing all the right things to try to make himself into a good player.” Gorton said he has had talks with agents about certain free agents, but the team hasn’t brought in any players yet. Meetings are allowed this week before the free-agent signing period begins on July 1. The Rangers have hired Tuomo Ruutu as their European-based development coach. Jed Ortmeyer and Tanner Glass will be based in North America. The club may hire a defenseman as a fourth development coach. Ruutu played 12 seasons in the NHL for the Blackhawks, Hurricanes and Devils. — Additional reporting by Larry Brooks
Hockey,jeff gorton,kaapo kakko,new york rangers,nfl draft,vitali kravtsov,
It’s only been a few days, but Kaapo Kakko has already got a taste of what his new life will be like. He flew into Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday and was greeted by a number of Rangers fans. Later on, he got to see New York City for the first time. “It was so nice,’’ Kakko, the 6-foot-2 Finnish forward taken second overall in the NHL draft on Friday, said. “I was walking downtown, and it was so big and nice.’’ On Monday, he put on a Blueshirt for the first time, and had a workout with his fellow prospects on the first day of the team’s developmental camp at Chelsea Piers in Stamford. Following the camp, Kakko will go home to Finland to train and rest. Then it’s back to his new home. “My next goal is to play in the NHL next season,” said the 18-year-old Kakko, who scored 22 goals in 45 games for TPS in Finland’s top pro league and helped Finland win a gold medal at the World Championships. see also It's time to start dreaming about this new Rangers crop You didn’t even have to squint to be able to... That seems like more of an inevitability than a goal. General manager Jeff Gorton believes 19-year-old winger Vitali Kravtsov, last year’s first-round pick (ninth overall) who played in the KHL last season, has a shot to make the team. “I think he’s going to be right there,” Gorton said. “He’s going to come in and try to win a job like a few other guys. Why shouldn’t he think like that? He’s played in the KHL for a few years and been successful. He’s doing all the right things to try to make himself into a good player.” Gorton said he has had talks with agents about certain free agents, but the team hasn’t brought in any players yet. Meetings are allowed this week before the free-agent signing period begins on July 1. The Rangers have hired Tuomo Ruutu as their European-based development coach. Jed Ortmeyer and Tanner Glass will be based in North America. The club may hire a defenseman as a fourth development coach. Ruutu played 12 seasons in the NHL for the Blackhawks, Hurricanes and Devils. — Additional reporting by Larry Brooks
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