12/18/2024
The Seattle Kraken acquired forward Kappo Kakko in a trade with the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. The Kraken sent defenseman Will Borgen and a third and sixth round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The move comes with the Kraken losing three of their last four and the Rangers losing ten of their last thirteen.
The newly acquired Kraken forward said about when speaking to the media on Thursday, “Fresh start…I feel that’s what I need right now.” The former second overall pick looks to make a name for himself in the Emerald City.
Kakko is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, which encouraged Rangers General Manager Chris Drury to find a return for Kakko after a six year tenure with the Rangers. Kakko was drafted second overall by New York, but never met the expectations set for him. He was a healthy scratch in Game 6 of the 2022 and 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. The Rangers would go on to be eliminated from the postseason on both occasions. The Rangers were off to a strong start to the season, including a 2-0 shutout win on the road against the Kraken. But the west coast road trip soon lead to a tailspin by the Blueshirts.
Kakko after being a healthy scratch this week against the Rangers said to the media, “easy to pick on the young guy”. Not too long after, Kakko was sent to Seattle.
The trade comes with the Kraken four points out of the final Western Conference playoff spot shared by Calgary and Colorado. The Rangers stand three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs
Along with trading a third and a sixth round pick the Kraken ship defenseman Will Borgen to the Rangers. The blue liner is coming off a career high 25 points with Seattle, including a 2nd period goal in the 2024 NHL Winter Classic. Borgen was an expansion draft pick by Seattle from the Buffalo Sabres in 2021.
The addition of Kappo Kakko brings plenty of potential for a Kraken team in desperate need of offense. Seattle’s ceiling on offense can skyrocket with the impact Kappo Kakko can bring, judged off his 2nd overall draft selection.
Although the Kraken will miss Borgen’s presence on the blue line, the dynamic Kappo Kakko may be what the Kraken need to jump back into contention in the NHL’s Pacific Division.
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