Rangers Rumors: Kaapo Kakko Likely to Be Moved

The New York Rangers have some big decisions to make once the offseason is here. One of them will be with 2019 second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko. The 23-year-old is a restricted free agent who is eligible for arbitration, so he will be a player to watch incredibly closely this offseason.

Due to Kakko's disappointing 2023-24 season, NHL insider Frank Seravalli listed Kakko at the No. 15 spot on his latest Trade Targets board for Daily Faceoff.

The 2023-24 season did not treat Kakko kindly. After missing time due to injury, the skilled winger just could not heat up. In 61 regular-season games, he had 13 goals to go along with 19 points. It was a notable decline in pace of production, as he had 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games last season.

Kakko has not been making a great case for himself this postseason, either, as he has just a goal and an assist in 13 playoff games. With Kakko entering the summer with arbitration rights, the Rangers could very well look to move him.

Kakko has been the subject of trade rumors since last season, and they escalated near the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. While a move did not go down, it would not be shocking in the slightest if the Rangers really listened to offers for him this summer.

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