NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 11: Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers looks on during a break in the action during the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on April 11, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)Photo: Dustin Satloff / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Seattle Kraken on Wednesday took a trip through the trade market, and came up with forward Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers, parting ways with defenseman Will Borgen in the process, who’s headed to the Rangers along with two Kraken draft picks from next summer’s allotment.
Here’s what you need to know:
· The Kraken acquired Kakko on Wednesday afternoon, who has just 4 goals and 14 points in 30 games
· Borgen, a member of the franchise’s inaugural season roster, was dealt while managing just a goal, an assist, and a -13 rating in 33 games
· Kakko is a pending restricted free agent on a one-year deal worth $2.4 million
· Borgen is a pending unrestricted free agent, on the second year of a two-year deal worth $2.7 million annually
· The Kraken additionally sent two draft picks to the Rangers – both out of the 2025 allotment, in the third and sixth rounds
LISTEN: Mike Benton with Ian Furness on the trade to land Kaapo Kakko
Instant analysis from 93.3 KJR-FM:
The move is a classic low-risk, high-reward maneuver, dealing each to a team’s immediate needs.
"Kaapo is a young dynamic forward who brings skill and offense to our club," said Kraken general manager Ron Francis in a statement.
Starting with Kakko, who is two years removed from a supposed breakout season that included 18 goals, the Kraken get a 23-year-old forward who is still looking for the next-level element to his game, originally taken second overall and a spot behind Jack Hughes to the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
We know how that first pick turned out: a road to stardom.
So far, the second pick has turned out a bumpy path with inconsistent offensive production, but managing the turbulence of three head coaches through five-plus seasons, and a Rangers roster currently chucked into a state of turmoil after losing 11 of 14 games to drop out of the playoff picture, surrounding the trade of their captain, Jacob Trouba to Anaheim. Kakko was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career on Sunday in a loss at St. Louis, then famously vented his frustrations this week.
At the minimum, the Kraken just acquired a young forward with depth scoring potential, a bruising and physical game, and encouraging under-the-hood analytics that elevated a line consistently with Filip Chytil as his center, as one of the most consistent on the Rangers roster.
The upside is his presumably untapped potential, where a change of scenery could benefit his game, and provide the Kraken with a much-needed jolt as they fidget four points behind the cut line in the Western Conference, and coming off sluggish losses at home to Tampa Bay and Ottawa.
“(Kakko) has underachieved last couple of years, and can be a dynamic offensive threat when on a roll,” one NHL scout said to 93.3 KJR-FM by text message.
“(He) reads the game well, makes plays with high IQ and skills.”
Three draft picks, taken fourth overall or higher in the last five years, will now occupy the Kraken lineup among the forwards: Kakko, Matty Beniers, and Shane Wright, right after Francis turned an original expansion draft pick into a young talent taken second overall at the draft, five years ago.
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 15: Will Borgen #3 of the Seattle Kraken tries to hold off Anthony Richard #90 of the Boston Bruins from getting to a rebound in front of Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord #35 during the first period at TD Garden on February 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
As Francis admitted the Kraken have been hitting the trade block with a need to fill the right wing position in light of Jordan Eberle’s injury, Borgen was deemed expendable with just a goal and an assist, but also with a career-worst -13 rating in 33 games. Though durable and famously physical which reduce the necessary impact of his dashboard offensive totals, his ice time began to diminish over the last few weeks while in the middle of a contract year.
Borgen could be in line for a raise this summer while leaving a Kraken team on the verge of potentially getting younger, and visibly fell out of favor for future plans in Seattle as short-term, a door has opened for Josh Mahura to step in, but long-term, a path has opened for prospects on the rise, notably right-shot defenseman Ville Ottavainen with AHL affiliate Coachella Valley.
“As an original member of the Kraken, we wish (Will) all the best in New York,” said Francis.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury reportedly had been eyeing a Will Borgen deal before Wednesday, aiming to fill the hole left by the Trouba trade.
Kakko’s presumed debut with the Kraken is scheduled for Thursday night, when the Kraken visit the Chicago Blackhawks at 5:30pm PT (93.3 KJR-FM / Kraken Audio Network).