It didn’t take long for the Rangers to make a decision on Kaapo Kakko. On Thursday, they re-signed Kakko to the qualifier for one year, $2.4 million.

The 23-year-old Kakko posted 13 goals and six assists for 19 points in 61 games this season. He missed 21 games due to a leg injury. He spent most of his return on the third line.

In the postseason, Kakko had a goal and an assist in 15 games. Similar to what happened two years ago, he was a healthy scratch for one game in the Eastern Conference Final. He voiced his displeasure over being out of the lineup for Matt Rempe in Game 2. It was understandable.

Following Jimmy Vesey sustaining a separated shoulder against the Panthers, Kakko played the remainder of the series. Aside from a brief cameo with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, he was mostly on the third line. Unfortunately, they failed to produce enough.

Kakko is at a crossroads in his career. He’s yet to establish himself as a top six forward. Having failed to score 20 goals in any of his first five seasons, the right wing knows that he must be better.

Peter Laviolette gave him the keys to the first line at the start of 2023-24. However, his failure to establish more offense with Zibanejad and Kreider in the Rangers’ first 11 games led to him being moved down the lineup. A place he’s been throughout his five years as a Blueshirt.

By qualifying him, the Rangers have set themselves up for one of two scenarios. They can try to package Kakko in a deal that would benefit both parties. It hasn’t worked out well. He could benefit from a change of scenery.

If they fail to move him, the Rangers can let Kakko play out the next season. If he can improve his performance, then maybe he stays put as part of another run. If he doesn’t, they have an affordable young player who can be moved at next year’s trade deadline.

The second option feels like the more likely scenario. They don’t have to force a trade this summer. Unless another team offers something worthwhile, they can wait and see how things play out.

Kakko is still a reliable checking forward who can play in the top nine. When they selected him with the number two pick behind Jack Hughes in the 2019 NHL Draft, it was with the hope that Kakko would evolve into a scoring forward. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.

The Rangers didn’t handle Kakko right in his rookie year. He struggled mightily and probably would’ve benefitted from some time in Hartford. The organization was top stubborn to admit they made a mistake. It hurt his development.

When he achieved career highs in goals (18), assists (22), and points (40) during 2022-23, it looked like he was on the right track. But he couldn’t follow it up.

Instead, Alexis Lafreniere was the breakout player this season by scoring 28 goals with 29 assists for 57 points. Lafreniere grew in stature during the playoffs by tying for the team lead in goals (8) while adding six helpers for 14 points to finish fourth in scoring.

One former high pick looks poised to become a star. The other is still a question mark. Where they go from here is anyone’s guess.