SEATTLE, Wash. – The Seattle Kraken have made a significant move to bolster their roster by acquiring forward Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers. The deal, announced on December 18, 2024, includes the Rangers sending Kakko—selected second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft—to the Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen, plus two future draft picks: a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick, both for 2025.
Kakko, 23, joins Seattle amid his third season with the Rangers, during which he has faced growing challenges with injuries and performance. Despite showing flashes of potential, he has recorded only 61 goals and 131 points over 330 career NHL games. This season, he has tallied four goals and 14 points over 30 games, and just days before the trade was publicly frustrated after being scratched during a game against the St. Louis Blues.
“I was surprised,” Kakko said when discussing his healthy scratch. “I know you’ve got to do something as the coach when you’re losing games, but it’s easy to pick the young guy and put him out. That’s how I feel.” His comments indicate the pressure he has felt under head coach Peter Laviolette's regime after struggling to find consistent playing time.
The trade marks the second significant loss for the Rangers during what has been described as a tumultuous season, following captain Jacob Trouba's departure just days earlier. With Kakko's potential seeming unfulfilled, general manager Chris Drury has faced criticism for allowing the situation to escalate to the point of trading away such a high draft pick without extracting more value.
Seattle sees the acquisition of Kakko as promising. General manager Ron Francis praised Kakko for his skill and offensive potential, stating, “Kaapo is a young dynamic forward who brings skill and offense to our club. We're excited to have him join us.”
The Kraken's roster has included players like Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, and there's speculation about the potential chemistry they could develop with the addition of Kakko, who has historically struggled but possesses talent recognized by scouts and analysts alike.
For the Rangers, the return includes Borgen, who, at 28 years old, has experience and is expected to contribute defensively. This season, he has recorded a goal and an assist for the Kraken, though his overall play has drawn critique due to his on-ice goal differential of -19.
“It’s just not the end of the world for the Rangers, but it doesn’t exactly turn their season around,” the analysis of the trade has concluded. Kakko’s departure indicates not only the struggles of one central figure but highlights the Rangers' broader attempts to reassess their competitive approach.
Kakko’s past shows he isn’t without merit; his 2022-23 campaign was his best statistically, where he accrued 40 points over the course of the season. The hope is for Seattle to provide him with the supportive environment necessary for him to regain confidence and optimize his talent.
Among the potential winners of this trade, many look to the Kraken. Kakko's prior issues with performance under the spotlight of New York could shift positively with the Kraken, who have their own goals of building offensive prowess on the ice. The franchise has never known the kind of higher expectations seen with other teams, which could give Kakko the breathing room he needs.
The timing of the trade is also noteworthy, coming just before NHL’s holiday roster freeze, as it reflects strategic moves made by teams to reinforce their line-ups and set them for the competitive months of winter. Seattle could be positioning itself to climb the ranks, making this acquisition timely and potentially pivotal.
Looking forward, the Rangers now need to address their defensive issues more aggressively, but many speculate whether this trade effectively used Kaapo Kakko’s potential to the utmost or if they have merely let go of a future star too soon. Kakko will be representing Finland at the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his performance there could provide additional insights on his prospects as he embarks on this new chapter with the Kraken.
Overall, the analysis across league circles indicates this trade could be one for the books: it’s the Rangers officially throwing the towel on Kakko’s full potential, and for the Kraken, it could just be the missing piece they need to transition to greater successes.
