Should The Sharks Bite On Rangers 'Dangling' Kaapo Kakko?
According to reports, the New York Rangers are "dangling" former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko in trade rumors. If the San Jose Sharks are interested, there are pros and cons to acquiring the winger.
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports - Should The Sharks Bite On Rangers 'Dangling' Kaapo Kakko?According to reports, the New York Rangers are "dangling" former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko in trade rumors. If the San Jose Sharks are interested, there are pros and cons to acquiring the winger.
Per Vince Mercogliano of Lohud, the Rangers are shopping Kakko but haven't been thrilled with the trade offers they've received. Mercogliano discussed this on his New Ice City podcast.
The 2019 second-overall pick hasn't lived up to the offensive hype that made him a top pick, but he has become a solid player in the NHL. His offensive career highs are 18 goals and 22 assists, which he set in 2022-23. Kakko dealt with an injury last season, which caused him to play 61 games and score 19 points (13 goals, 6 assists).
The Rangers signed Kakko to a one-year $2.4 million contract and reportedly still aren't opposed to trading him.
The Rangers acquired Reilly Smith from the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first day of 2024 free agency. Smith projects to play in the Rangers' top-six forward group, further preventing the 23-year-old Kakko from another chance at extra minutes.
If the Sharks and GM Mike Grier are interested in acquiring Kakko for a fresh start, it certainly seems like the price isn't cheap. While it won't be particularly expensive, Rangers GM Chris Drury won't give him away for nothing. New York Post's Larry Brooks agrees with that way of thinking.
The Sharks helped the Rangers this offseason by claiming Barclay Goodrow off waivers. Goodrow's $3.641 million cap hit did not allow the Rangers much flexibility to upgrade their roster. There were reports of a pre-arranged deal between Grier and Drury for this to happen.
While there hasn't been any confirmation of a backdoor deal between New York and San Jose, it is certainly possible that part of the alleged deal could be Grier getting a discount on acquiring Kakko, but this is purely speculation.
If the Sharks acquired Kakko, what role would he play? With Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini signed, the Sharks will have an injection of youth not seen in the Bay Area for a long time. Kakko fits the mold of young players, but if his 40-point season is his best offensive potential, would giving up more assets to acquire another winger in an already crowded forward core worth it?
Kakko is a solid defensive player and draws penalties with his puck skills and hard work along the boards.
If the Sharks view Kakko as a third-line defensive forward who can occasionally contribute some offense, they should ask for the price. If they view Kakko as a potential top-six offensive forward, they must view his six seasons of offensive struggles as untapped potential.
San Jose has better, cheaper prospects, Quentin Musty and Kasper Halttunen, who can be deployed within the next few seasons instead of trading for Kakko and hoping for offense.
Although it wasn't for a long time, newly signed centerman Alex Wennberg played on the same line with Kakko during the Rangers' Stanley Cup Playoff run. Wennberg may know what Kakko can bring to the table and if it is worth it or not to trade.
There aren't any reports of the Sharks being interested in Kakko, but that can change at a moment's notice during the 2024 offseason. Grier also tells reporters that much of the Sharks' heavy lifting for roster changes is complete.
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