Oilers Defenseman Facing Possible NHL Discipline After Vicious Slash Injures Kaapo Kakko

The Seattle Kraken might be suffering from an early preseason injury setback when forward Kaapo Kakko left their Sept. 24 game against the Edmonton Oilers with an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old left after Oilers defenseman Beau Akey's slash.

It's discouraging news for Seattle. Kakko was one of Seattle's top point-getters in his first season after joining them last season and recorded 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points in 49 games.

He rewarded his good play with a three-year, $14.25 million contract extension in July that commits him to the long-term vision of the Kraken.

Kakko was acquired in a December trade from the Rangers, who sent him in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen and 2025 third and sixth-round NHL draft picks. He had four goals and 14 points in 30 Rangers games prior to the trade.

A second-overall selection from the Rangers in the 2019 draft, Kakko had 61 goals and 131 points in six Rangers years prior to skating for Seattle.

For Akey, his slash may garner attention from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Since the play literally culminated in injury to one of a team's top-six forwards, supplemental discipline, in the form of a fine or suspension, is possible.

No decision has been released yet, but this incident will be followed closely as the league considers it.

For the Kraken, attention now centers on Kakko's rehabilitation and getting him ready for the regular season. The Oilers, in turn, are possibly gearing up for an eventual fallout over Akey's availability.

Either way, this preseason game has already fomented early controversy. For Oilers fans, they can only hope it doesn't result in the loss of one of the team's young prospects.