The Kaapo Kakko injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Rangers. With Kakko out at least a month, the Rangers are now back to having Barclay Goodrow in the top-six. All due respect to Goodrow, who has had a solid season, the Rangers are better and deeper when he’s not in he top-six. The Rangers need to act now to solidify their top-six.

The biggest concern for the Rangers is their even strength play, and losing one of their better play drivers isn’t going to help matters. Kakko worked well with Ryan Strome and Artemiy Panarin because of his ability to cycle and create space for the others. He’s also tremendously skilled with the puck, which separates him from the others that have been on that line. That duo has had their best results with Kakko.

The Rangers were already very top heavy, and the Kakko injury exacerbates this issue. The second line aside, the injury forces players up in the lineup that should likely play lower down. Goodrow up to the second line, Dryden Hunt up to the third line, and Greg McKegg still in the lineup.