New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko has had his name brought up in trade rumors throughout the summer. The 23-year-old winger has had a disappointing start to his career, failing to live up to the expectations set for him when the Rangers drafted him with the No. 2 overall pick back in 2019.
Now, five seasons later, Kakko could be on his way out of New York. It seems as though trade discussions surrounding Kakko are beginning to heat up as the Blueshirts contemplate whether or not now is the time to move on from the former highly-coveted prospect.
At least three teams are interested in trading for Kaapo Kakko
According to Jacob Punturi of Sports Illustrated (h/t @NYRFanatic on X), at least three teams have expressed interest in trading for Kakko this summer. Punturi listed the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Pittsburgh Penguins as teams interested in Kakko’s services in a recent article.
- Rangers need major improvements to stay in Metropolitan Division race
- Two Rangers bottom-six forwards are having the best seasons of their careers
- Rangers need their elite backup to stick around for at least one more season
What could the Rangers get in return for Kakko?
If Rangers general manager Chris Drury gets his way, he would land an immediate-impact player in exchange for Kakko to plug into the lineup and continue to maximize the team’s Cup window. The Blueshirts are in “win-now” mode with many of their core stars beginning to get up there in age. If Drury could get a high-value draft pick or crafty veteran player in return for Kakko, it would be a big-time win.
The Rangers could also opt to offer Kakko to other teams, rather than just field offers on Kakko. The Blueshirts have expressed their interest in trading for a few stars around the league, having been linked to players such as Mackenzie Weegar and Trevor Zegras.
The Blueshirts could look to package Kakko, a draft pick (or a few draft picks), and another player in a trade to acquire Zegras if they so choose to make him their blockbuster acquisition of the summer. The Rangers’ interest in Zegras in particular has been rumored to be rather significant.
Drury is no stranger to wheeling and dealing. He has earned his reputation as one of the most aggressive general managers in all of professional hockey, pulling off blockbuster trade after blockbuster trade over the last several years. Kakko could be the main piece in the next Blueshirts blockbuster.