TRADE: Rangers deal Kaapo Kakko to Western Conference
Just one day after blasting the team for his healthy scratch, Kaapo Kakko has been dealt by the New York Rangers, sent out West to the Seattle Kraken.
#NYR have traded Kaapo Kakko to Seattle for Will Borgen, a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) December 19, 2024
In return, the Rangers receive impending UFA defenseman Will Borgen, plus third- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Kakko, a pending RFA, was the 2nd overall selection in the 2019 Draft, but simply hasn't been able to follow up on his 18-goal season of a couple of years ago. He has just 4 goals and 14 points in 30 games this year.
He was a healthy scratch for Sunday's game, which prompted Kakko to go off on the Rangers' brass, feeling he "was not the worst guy out there" and didn't deserve the benching. "I think it’s just easy to pick a young guy and boot him out. That’s how I feel, to be honest.”
ESPN insider Kevin Weekes, however, says his sources tell him that the Kakko trade "was in no way connected to his comments yesterday." Hmm.
As for Borgen, he comes over on the final year of his deal.
Insider Chris Johnson reports that Borgen has been a Rangers target for some time. The big, right-shot D-man will be spending his 28th birthday on Thursday getting acclimated to his new team. He played all 82 games in each of the previous two seasons with Seattle, topping 20 points each time, and recording in the range of 200 hits each season.Will Borgen has been a #NYR target for some time, so acquiring the pending UFA plus two draft picks gives them more flexibility while reshaping the roster.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 19, 2024
