Sabres Reportedly Eyeing Rangers Forward
The Sabres are currently being linked to an interesting Rangers forward.
© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports - Sabres Reportedly Eyeing Rangers ForwardWith the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline approaching, the Buffalo Sabres have been a popular team in the rumor mill. Players like Casey Mittelstadt, Erik Johnson, and Victor Olofsson have been the subject of trade chatter. Yet, there's also an expectation that the Sabres will look to bring in players who can help them beyond this season.
The Fourth Period released their most recent Trade Watch List earlier today, and the Sabres are now one of the teams reportedly linked to New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko. The two other teams TFP has linked to the young forward include the Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks.
Back in late January, NHL insider Darren Dreger reported that multiple sources said the Rangers were taking calls on Kakko. Now, it appears that a market is starting to form for the 2019 second-overall pick.
Kakko is viewed as having plenty of potential, hence why he was selected second overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by New York. However, he has not emerged as a legitimate top-six winger at this stage of his career, and a change of scenery may benefit him because of it.
Hearing that the Sabres are one of the teams reportedly eyeing Kakko is interesting. They have several notable forward prospects in their system. However, with several of their forwards being pending UFAs, perhaps that's why they are at least open to taking a shot on the Rangers' former top prospect.
Kakko has appeared in 31 games this season with the Rangers, where he has five goals, seven points, and a plus-3 rating. Although these numbers are low, he also had 40 points in 82 contests just last season.