Kaapo Kakko is reportedly on the trade block, and such a decision along with Will Borgen's struggles in New York, suggest that the trade hasn't worked out for both sides. However... history would be in favor of the Rangers trying to bring him back, and it's a move I'd be a huge fan of. Kakko will never be able to live up to his No. 2 draft slot, and fans should let that go at this point. What Kakko is right now is a top-nine winger that plays with tenacity and desire, and in many ways he'd fine new live back in New York in the confines of Mike Sullivan's system.
Kakko has been productive in Seattle
Kakko spent 330 games across six season with the Rangers and compiled 61 goals, 70 assists, and 131 points. That equates to 0.40 points per game, which is underwhelming. Since joining the Kraken, Kakko has scored 23 goals, added 47 assists, and has 70 points in 114 games which equates to 0.61 points per game.
That slight uptick in offensive production is enough proof that Kakko is capable of more, and at age 25 there's still more room to grow. The Rangers just saw Alexis Lafrenière take advantage of an opportunity when Artemi Panarin was traded, so why couldn't Kakko return and have success of his own?
In addition to this, per Evolving-Hockey, Kakko finished the season with a 62.86 GF%, a 45.88 CF%, and a 46.72 xGF% which is a bit unusual for him. During his tenure with the Rangers, Kakko had a 51.63 GF%, a 50 CF%, and a 48.58 xGF%, including a slash line of 65.4 GF%, 47.57 CF%, and a 50.2 xGF% in his final stint with the Rangers.
At his best, Kakko is a tenacious forechecker who generates offense from making defensive stops, he is a menace along the boards, willing to go to the net, and muck it up in the dirty areas of the ice some players tend to shy away from. The problem during his original stint in New York was his inability to generate a level of offense that is expected of a No. 2 overall pick. He did everything else the coaching staff wanted.
Historical context of a Kakko reunion
He's starting to put it together a bit offensively, is more confident, and a reunion isn't the craziest thought in the world. Alex Kovalev won a Stanley Cup with the Rangers, was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins, was dealt back to the Rangers, and played for parts of two seasons before spending time in Montreal, Ottawa, Pittsburgh again, and Florida.
Petr Nedved was a Rangers in 1994-95, was traded to Pittsburgh, and then traded back to the Rangers where he spent six additional seasons before playing in Edmonton, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Edmonton again. Mark Messier was traded to the Rangers, won a Stanley Cup, signed with Vancouver in free agency, and then returned again to the Rangers as a free agent after his return to Canada didn't work out.
It doesn't happen all the time, but Kakko returning would be a continuation of something that the Rangers have done before. Right now the Rangers need some help on the right wing, and if the Kraken truly are looking to get rid of him, at the very least the Rangers should inquire about the cost of re-acquiring him.
Add us as a preferred source on Google