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Kaapo Kakko doesn't think Rangers criticism led to deal

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Kaapo Kakko doesn't believe his criticism of the New York Rangers led to his being traded to Seattle on Wednesday night, although Kraken general manager Ron Francis believes his candor might have accelerated a deal.

Kakko, 23, candidly disagreed with coach Peter Laviolette's decision to make him a healthy scratch for the Rangers' loss in St. Louis on Sunday. "I know we're losing games, but I think it's just easy to take the young guy and put him out," he said.

Kakko also noted that while his line hadn't generated a lot of offense -- the forward had 4 goals and 10 assists in 30 games for the Rangers -- opponents hadn't scored much when he was on the ice at 5-on-5.