One for one trade proposal emerges between Bruins forward and the New York Rangers former first round pick
The New York Rangers have been struggling sincesince the beginning of the season.
Once thought to be Stanley Cup contenders, they are now looking like pretenders. It's put GM Chris Drury on notice, and he's let the NHL he's open for business, and GM Don Sweeney should get busy on the phones.
The Rangers have lost six of their last seven games and need to find a way to improve their lineup immediately. They have multiple players available including Chris Kreider, and Jacob Trouba but who is one player that's gone under the radar for the team?
Kaapo Kakko is a 23-year-old former first-round pick in 2019 and has found his home on the Rangers third line.
It seemed at first that Kakko was going to be a bust, but under Head Coach Gerard Gallant put up his first 40-point season(18 G, 22 A) in 2022-2023.
He's been a fixture on the same line as Filp Chytil, and Will Cuylle until Coach Peter Laviolette decided to bust out the line blender one too many times.
Kaako is set to be an RFA when his one-year, $2.4 Million contract expires, and was thought to be one Rangers who would be dealt before the start of the season.
This season he's scored 13 points( 3 G, 10 A) in 24 games for the Rangers and could be part of the players who are moved to accommodate Igor Shesterkin's new contract.
Kakko could end up being part of a one-for-one trade with the Boston Bruins, and a player like Trent Frederic could be sent in return.
That is if GM Chris Drury still has playoff hopes this season.
Unlike Kakko, Frederic will be a UFA at the end of the season, and Frederic could save the Rangers some cap space as a rental for the 2nd half of the season.
While the 2019 1st round pick, could be utilized on the Bruins power-play and in a top-nine role for the Bruins.
Worst comes to worst, Kakko would be under the Bruins' control and could be again moved for assets if the deal doesn't work out.
And Kakko may not end up being a top-six forward for the Bruins this season, in addition to his power-play abilities, he plays a solid two-way game, which is sorely missing on the Bruins roster this season.
Kakko has played 324 total games in the NHL scoring 130 points( 61 G, 69 A) with a +14 rating.
His contract expires at the end of the season and has a $2.4 Million cap hit. This could be a great buy-low, sell-high trade if it works out down the road.
| POLL | ||
Should GM Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins trade for the forward Kaapo Kakko of the New York Rangers? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 60 % |
| No | 28 | 40 % |
| List of polls | ||
