For most of the preseason, it seemed Kaapo Kakko not only was going to make the Rangers as an 18-year-old, but also was going be on the first power-play unit.

Yet it seems for the regular-season opener Thursday night against the Jets at the Garden, the No. 2-overall pick from this year’s draft is going to be on the second unit, while Pavel Buchnevich will stay with his two even-strength linemates for the top man-advantage.

Coach David Quinn already handed Buchnevich a big opportunity when he gave the 24-year-old Russian first crack at the right side of the top line, next to Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. Now it seems he’ll join them, along with point-man Jacob Trouba and net-front presence Chris Kreider, on the first power-play unit.

“Buchie’s finish last year put him in a position to be more well-rounded,” Quinn told reporters after Tuesday’s practice in Tarrytown.

This past season, after the Rangers sold off some veteran assets at the deadline while still going through a rebuilding process, Buchnevich got a bigger role. He took advantage by scoring 11 goals in his final 25 games, finishing the season with 21 goals, good for third on the team.

That penchant is something Quinn is hoping continues for Buchnevich this season, after he received a two-year, $6.5 million deal as a restricted free agent this summer.

“No question I’m expecting him to be more of a goal scorer this year,” Quinn said.

This configuration also allows Quinn to keep his lines mostly together, not forcing Kakko out for a power-play shift shortly after one at even strength, at least not early in the season when the big-bodied Finn is still adjusting to the pace and grind of NHL games. The second unit will likely have Adam Fox, Brendan Lemieux, Ryan Strome, Kakko and either Tony DeAngelo or Brady Skjei.

Center Boo Nieves cleared waivers on Tuesday and was assigned to AHL Hartford.

Brendan Smith practiced on Tuesday as a forward, but when it came to penalty kill, he went back to his natural spot as a defenseman. That is part of the plan, and part of the reason Smith made the opening-night roster.

“He had a really good camp, I thought,” Quinn said. “He did a good job killing penalties on the back end, and only played one game up front, but I thought he had a good night in Bridgeport [Saturday night against the Islanders].”

With Smith as a forward, Greg McKegg and Micheal Haley were both extras up-front. DeAngelo returned to practice after missing Monday following the death of his grandfather, and rejoined presumed opening-night partner Marc Staal.