from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

This is the second season for Kaapo Kakko, whose four-month break at home just might prove to be the pause that refreshed the second-overall selection whose first try at the NHL wasn’t quite what anyone anticipated.

“Now I have a new chance,” said Kakko, who has been impressive through the first four work days. “I’m feeling better. I was on the ice [in Finland] every week at least two or three times, we had a good group [of players] over there, spent a little bit of time at the gym, and am feeling a little faster and a little stronger on the ice, so that’s good.”

Kakko, who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, does not seem to have had a second thought about returning to the fray despite the fact that those sharing that medical condition could be at a higher risk to develop more serious complications if contracting COVID-19.

“Of course I wanted to play hockey again,” the 19-year-old said. “I talked to my doctors about that a little bit and I think if I keep my [blood sugar level] down, it’s going to be OK and I can play hockey, again.

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