NHL Rumors: NY Rangers "Not Thrilled" With Kaapo Kakko Offers

His name has been bandied about on the rumor mill since the New York Rangers season came to an end. Kaapo Kakko, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, has failed to gain traction as a dependable forward, and despite the team re-signing him to a two-year deal last month, he remains a viable trade candidate this summer.

So why hasn't he been moved yet?

According to Rangers beat reporter Vince Mercogliano, speaking recently on his podcast, nothing has really moved the needle for the Blueshirts yet in an offer.

"I'm pretty sure they're dangling Kaapo Kakko and will pursue deals to possibly move him this summer. I think they're not thrilled with the offers that they've gotten so far which is why he's still on the roster."

The Rangers haven't been able to land any sure-fire top-six wingers as yet this summer (yes, they picked up Reilly Smith, but does anybody believe right now that he's a "sure-fire" thing?), so they aren't necessarily in any rush to trade Kakko, says Mercogliano.

"They kind of need him right now. I still think it's a possibility he gets traded... (but) his status is up in the air... I'm not sure what's out there that would really be an obvious deal that the Rangers can make."

He followed that up, though, by suggesting that Nikolaj Ehlers and Rutger McGroarty are two potential forwards the Rangers should be targeting.