The New York Rangers traded forward Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, marking the end of Kakko's rocky tenure with the organization and embarking him on what many hope will be a rejuvenated career.
Seattle acquired the 23-year-old Finnish winger along with defensive prospect Will Borgen, alongside third- and sixth-round picks for the 2025 NHL Draft. The deal encapsulates both teams' desires to reshape and bolster their respective rosters amid difficult seasons.
With the Rangers struggling to maintain consistency, having lost 11 of their last 14 games, head coach Peter Laviolette's decision to place Kakko as a healthy scratch during Sunday’s match against the St. Louis Blues raised eyebrows. Following the game, Kakko spoke out: “I haven’t been on the ice too much when [opponents] score... I have not been the worst guy, but was me out of the lineup,” implying his surprise and disappointment about the benching.
Kaapo Kakko, who was drafted second overall by New York back in 2019, has amassed 61 goals and 70 assists over 330 games. Despite showcasing flashes of brilliance, he has never fully lived up to the lofty expectations associated with his draft position. This season, Kakko has struggled significantly, compiling only four goals and ten assists across 30 outings.
Ron Francis, General Manager of the Seattle Kraken, expressed enthusiasm about adding Kakko to the roster, stating, “Kaapo is a young dynamic forward who brings skill and offense to our club.” Seattle hopes to leverage Kakko’s unique skill set, with the prospect of transitioning him from his underwhelming performance at Madison Square Garden to flourishing in Seattle.
On the flip side, Borgen brings his 261 games of NHL experience and physical presence to the Rangers' defense, which has been fragile following recent departures. Despite being originally associated with solid metrics, Borgen has been having less-than-stellar performance this season, which could raise questions for how the Rangers' defense will play moving forward. Interestingly, he is statistically one of the struggling defenseman this season, already having seen limited offensive output.
This trade also reflects the broader challenges faced by both teams as they work to revamp their 2023-24 seasons. The Rangers, after trading former captain Jacob Trouba earlier, are clearly attempting to refresh their lineup and bring some youthful energy back. Unlike the hype surrounding Kakko, there has been growing acknowledgment internally and externally about his lack of output.
While Kakko's departure feels inevitable, and certainly prompted by his recent sentiments, it brings to fruition the need for the Rangers to inject fresh blood and possibly seek alternative offensive talents. For Seattle, acquiring Kakko — with manageable terms of his current contract factoring to $2.4 million this season along with future potential under club control as he will be restricted free agent — is seen as potentially altering their offensive output.
Francis thanked Borgen for his contributions, stating, “(I) want to thank Will for everything he’s done for our franchise… we wish him all the best in New York.” This hints at the respect and value Seattle places on Borgen's role within the organization, even as they pivot to pursue the unchecked potential of Kakko.
After the trade, Kakko now finds himself with the Kraken, where he could finally find stability and help Seattle craft their dynamic offense. Meanwhile, Borgen's assignment with the Rangers raises the stakes for him to solidify his role within the organization and make effective contributions, contrasting the situations of two players trading places at pivotal moments. Expect this trade to reshape both franchises' directions as they push on through the current NHL season.
