3 more excellent suitors for Kaapo Kakko at the trade deadline
Kaapo Kakko is one player the New York Rangers could use as bait at the trade deadline for an underperforming team looking for a high-potential skater.
Sometimes, things don’t work out the way all parties have planned, and for New York Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko, this has been the case. But as a young, former second-overall pick who has enjoyed some solid production at times in his NHL career, Kakko should be a hot name among quite a few front offices as the trade deadline nears.
Recently, Kakko has found himself on a points streak, with two goals and three assists between February 9th and February 20th. One of those goals was a game-winner, and it shows us that when he’s taking shots at the net - 10 in the last five games compared to just 38 in his first 30 contests, he can be consistent.
Kakko’s 47 takeaways last season also indicate he has two-way tendencies, and the same goes for his possession metrics this year in on-ice save percentage at even strength and 5-on-5, which sit at 94.0 and 94.2, respectively, as of February 22nd. Overall, he has shown more than a few flashes during his time with the Rangers.
Kaapo Kakko has played well despite never living up to expectations
While some contenders would love to bring in Kakko and see if he fits their respective systems, there will be hordes of underperforming organizations looking to get rid of some remaining talent with a year or two left on their respective contracts. That said, it would be easy for the Rangers to insert Kakko into a potential deal that will further facilitate a trade.
While there are quite a few teams that have been all but eliminated from playoff contention, three stand out more than the others as excellent suitors for Kakko. Each team listed below has an asset that will help the Rangers, and if Kakko proves to be a good fit, he can transform into a late-blooming top-five draft pick. So, if traded at or before the deadline, where should Kakko ultimately land and why?
The Anaheim Ducks may benefit from Kakko if they trade Henrique to New York
One reason why Kakko would be an excellent suitor in Anaheim stems from the possibility that the Ducks could realistically end up trading Adam Henrique to New York. There are quite a few reasons Henrique would be a good fit for the Rangers, but this trade would be a major win-win situation for both teams.
For one, the Ducks have enough cap space for Kakko, and since he will be a restricted free agent this summer, they can also sign him to a bridge deal and go from there. Kakko is also a younger player who could develop into at least a solid scorer that a forward like Henrique has been in Anaheim. Also, like Henrique, Kakko’s potential to play a two-way game would mean the Ducks are getting even a younger version of their 34-year-old center, even if Kakko is technically a winger.
This means Kakko can skate right into Anaheim and immediately help a team that needs it in the defensive zone. He would be a welcoming presence for a team that is currently 26th in goals allowed with 200. And if Kakko’s offensive game keeps up, he could evolve into a complete player for a Ducks team that is fully entrenched in building a core for the near future.
Kakko could join a young Chicago Blackhawks team
The Blackhawks have one goal, and it is to build a contender around Connor Bedard. Despite missing some time with a jaw injury, Bedard hasn’t struggled over his first few games back in action. That bodes well for everyone he’s playing alongside, whether they are on the same line or not.
While Kakko may never reach anywhere near Bedard’s level (few will) or even that of a former second-overall pick, it doesn’t mean he would be a bad fit for a potential up-and-coming Chicago Blackhawks team. This trade would work well for Chicago for two reasons: One, they can more than afford to take a risk on a high-potential player like Kakko, and two, they have a couple of under-the-radar players who could provide solid depth for the Rangers.
Besides Bedard, Kakko would join a team comprising a solid list of young talent already playing in the NHL, like Kevin Korchinski, Philipp Kurashev, Mackenzie Entwistle, Reese Johnson, Isaak Phillips, and others who should all receive at least bridge deals following the season.
In short, Kakko would add potential to what is a young, brilliant, and brewing core in Chicago, and one that, should they stick together, will contend.
Kakko would add excitement to a rebuilding San Jose Sharks organization
The San Jose Sharks are one organization whose roster moves will be a lot of fun to watch over the next few years, but the upcoming trade deadline will also provide plenty of excitement. Anthony Duclair is one player who deserves to play alongside a contender this season, and it would be enticing to see general manager Mike Grier trade the winger to New York, who the 28-year-old played 18 games for in 2014-15.
It would be even more enticing if Grier replaced Duclair with a high-potential winger in Kakko, who can perhaps become part of what will be a strong core in California should the man in charge make the right moves.
Right now, the Sharks organization is as barren as one can get, ranking 32nd in the league in both goals scored and goals against. There is hardly a brewing star at the NHL level, with players like Thomas Hertl, Mikael Granlund, and Mike Hoffman all in their thirties. Perhaps William Eklund, who has four game-winning goals, or former sixth-overall pick Filip Zadina will get something going in San Jose. But potential-wise, Kakko could have them all beaten.
While acquiring Kakko would give the Sharks hardly any guarantees regarding their forwards, he’s still a former second-overall pick who will get the fan base buzzing should Grier trade one of his players to New York and bring in the 23-year-old.
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(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference as of February 21st)