Gerard Gallant, Asked if He Wanted to Clarify Decision to Scratch Kaapo Kakko in Game 6: 'No'
Before Game 6 NYR Head Coach Gerard Gallant made the bold decision to scratch second overall pick Kaapo Kakko. The move spurred a wave of confusion over the hockey world, as Kakko's underlying analytics were among the best on the team:
Source: @CJTDevil
When asked initially about the decision in his post-game presser, Gallant simply offered 'no comment.' Today, in his season-exit press conference, he offered a similar response when asked if a conversation was necessary:
He did go on to suggest that Kakko--and first overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere--are critical components of the Rangers' future. However, he offered a puzzling bit on that subject:
The interesting part, is where he says he would be disappointed if Kakko & Lafreniere aren't in the Rangers' top-six forwards. As if Gallant himself isn't directly in charge of that decision. Furthermore, the Rangers aren't exactly in a position of strength headed into the offseason, having only $13 million to fill more than half a dozen roster spots.
The decision to scratch one of NYR's most effective forwards in an elimination game is a microcosm of the decision-making that saw Gallant dismissed from Florida's bench & later Las Vegas'. At least, one can reasonably ascertain so. Gallant has a history of general success, but a short shelf life. Is this more of the same, or will he be able to finally coach a team to hockey's highest peak, the Stanley Cup?
| POLL | ||
JUIN 13 | 152 ANSWERS Gerard Gallant, Asked if He Wanted to Clarify Decision to Scratch Kaapo Kakko in Game 6: 'No' Did Gallant make a mistake in scratching Kaapo Kakko? | ||
| Yes | 88 | 57.9 % |
| No | 64 | 42.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||