Could the Rangers Trade Kaapo Kakko This Summer? Four Potential Fits

New York Rangers right winger Kaapo Kakko has fallen down the lineup after struggling to produce. These four teams could be better fits for the 23-year-old.

Lost amid the success of the New York Rangers in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs are young forward Kaapo Kakko's struggles. 

The 23-year-old Finnish right winger has produced just one goal and two points in 13 playoff games. That production follows a disappointing regular season in which he generated only 13 goals and 19 points in 61 games. 

Kakko’s $2.1-million salary cap hit will likely rise somewhat when he becomes an RFA this summer, but given the Rangers are a stacked group with the highest of expectations, it’s very possible Blueshirts GM Chris Drury finds a new home for Kakko and trades him for draft picks and/or a better fit.

Where could Kakko wind up playing next season? Let’s offer up four possibilities and break down which teams could be the best fit for him in the future.

The Ducks intend to be better next season, but the pressure they have to produce wins won’t be nearly as pronounced as it would be in many other markets. Kakko could flourish out of the heavy spotlight of Manhattan by playing in the warm comfort of California. 

Another possibility here would be the San Jose Sharks, who, like the Ducks, aren’t going to be a Cup threat. But Anaheim could offer Drury one of their two second-round draft picks or a decent prospect in return for Kakko, and that could be the best offer the Rangers get for him. And with Jakob Silfverberg leaving the NHL, Kakko can slide right in.

Left alone to work on his all-around game in Anaheim, Kakko could develop into a solid two-way forward, and the Ducks could be the perfect fit for him. If Kakko can be part of the Ducks' growth, he’ll be worth whatever Anaheim has to give the Rangers to land him in a deal.

The Sabres are further along in their development than the Ducks are, but Kakko might be a solid component for Buffalo, which had been linked to him in trade rumors earlier this season. 

The Sabres won’t want to give up anyone of note on their current NHL roster, but Buffalo’s talent pipeline has some youngsters who could provide the Rangers with a boost down the road.

Kakko could be part of a Sabres squad that does real damage, and his RFA status means he won’t break the bank for them under the cap. The Rangers probably want to deal Kakko out of the Metropolitan Division, and the Atlantic Division's Sabres would be a good match on the trade front.

Another team looking to turn the competitive corner and make significant strides next season is the Blackhawks. 

Chicago has plenty of draft picks, including two second-rounders and two third-rounders in June. A deal involving one or some of those could give Kakko a fresh start while adding to the Rangers’ stockpile of picks and prospects in the near future.

If Kakko can turn things around with the Hawks, he could be part of a resurgent Chicago team. Getting to play on the same team as phenom Connor Bedard might jump-start Kakko’s development, and they wouldn’t have to pay a huge price to land him on the trade market.

Granted, this option might be the long shot of the four teams we’re mentioning in this article, but the Canadiens are still assembling a lineup that can battle for a post-season spot in 2024-25. Kakko could help them as he finds his own game and grows into a bigger on-ice role. 

Montreal has five picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft, and they have seven picks in the first three rounds of the 2025 draft. Sending a second- or third-rounder as well as a slightly above average prospect would provide the Rangers with help in the long term, and the Habs would get Kakko as a potential key component as they attempt to ascend the Atlantic Division ranks. With Tanner Pearson being a pending UFA, Kakko could slot in on the second line and bump down Joel Armia and Josh Anderson in the lineup.

There would be more pressure on Kakko in Montreal than any of the aforementioned three teams, but so long as they don’t ask too much of him, the Canadiens could be pleased to welcome Kakko aboard and make him part of their long-term blueprint for success. 

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