There has been a lot of noise around the Rangers, including last week’s trade of former captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and the reports that more roster shakeups could be coming, but Kakko and his linemates have been the quietly consistent element of the team.

“I think just offensively, from Kaapo, you’ve seen him contribute more,” New York coach Peter Laviolette said. “That line has been effective. ‘Fil’ has been back in the middle more on a consistent basis and I think that they’ve had a little chemistry in the past, but with ‘Fil’ being out for most of the year last year, they didn’t really get to connect with that again, so it’s been a good start.

“I still think that line is capable of more, but they’ve all done a good job. I think Will’s come in and done a good job. You can notice [Chytil’s] speed down the middle and Kaapo has been able to produce on the wing.”

It’s almost a complete reversal for Kakko from last season, when he struggled to find consistency and finished the season with 19 points (13 goals, six assists) in 61 games.

Kakko was coming off his best NHL season in 2022-23, when he had 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games. Optimism about the player he was turning into gave way quickly to wondering about Kakko’s playing time and eventually his future with the Rangers.

His name started to pop up in trade rumors, but New York signed Kakko to a one-year, $2.4 million contract June 13. He was coming off a two-year contract ($2.1 million AAV) and could have become a restricted free agent July 1.

The one-year deal was essentially a “prove-it” contract for Kakko that gave the Rangers leverage on his future.

It seems to be working out well for both parties.

“I feel I can do some things out there now that last year I didn’t try to do,” Kakko said. “In the [offensive] zone, you try to make plays, not just chip it in. I’m trying to do that. That’s the confidence. That’s my game. I feel I didn’t do that last year. I feel like our whole line, [Cuylle] also, we just couldn’t do it; we’d just chip it in and forecheck, but there were no chances.

“I mean, last year if we as a line lost the puck, we felt our game was over and we were going to watch the rest of it from the bench. At least we’re trying to do things now and it’s working out.”