Rangers Rumors: Kaapo Kakko scratched vs. Blues, trade incoming?

The New York Rangers are becoming a bit of a mess and there's growing speculation that forward Kaapo Kakko is going to be moved. The Rangers have are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games, they've traded their captain, their coach's seat is getting hotter, and GM Chris Drury is looking at several options to re-tool his roster.

Rumor Boys are on the case 🕵️ https://t.co/sBnvmdJgvk

— Mike Grinnell (@MikeGrinnell_) December 15, 2024

Kakko, 23, is on the books for $2.4 million and is a pending restricted free agent. The former first-rounder has four goals and 14 points in 29 games. He's averaged just 13:22 of ice-time per game and has been used sparingly as a depth option on the power play. 

Kakko was made a healthy scratch for the Rangers matchup Sunday against the St. Louis Blues.

Kakko a healthy scratch before Mika and Kreider

I don’t think Lav actually knows what’s wrong with this team lol #NYR

— NYR Louie ™️ (@NYRLouie) December 15, 2024

As far as potential destinations go, teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks make sense as they're looking to re-tool this season and are pushing to find some more offense up front.

The Rangers have $6.6 million in cap space and Drury has a ton of flexibility to mix things up. If the Rangers lose Sunday night against the Blues, expect to see another big move made by Drury early next week, which could include Kakko being shipped out of New York.

Photo credit: Bob Lee, USA Today