3 more excellent suitors for Kaapo Kakko at the trade deadline

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. 

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference as of February 21st)