Three teams in the mix for New York Rangers Kaapo Kakko

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TJ Tucker
July 10, 2024 (12:52)

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A report by Sports Illustrated says three teams have contacted the New York Rangers expressing interest in Kaapo Kakko, who was put on the trade block recently

Despite the fact that he was recently signed to a one-year contract extension for $2.4 million, Kaapo Kakko, the second overall pick New York Rangers in 2019 has been placed on the trading block. Now comes word of plenty of interest.

According to Jacob Punturi of Sports Illustrated, three teams are interested in acquiring Kakko. They are the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

"The Rangers are unlikely to make any sort of move that benefits their rival, but that doesn't change the fact that Kyle Dubas and the Penguins would love to acquire Kaapo Kakko and hope he flourishes in Pittsburgh."

Kaapo's best season in the NHL so far came in 2022-23, when he scored 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games. It was a step backwards in 2023-24, when Kaapo managed 13 goals and just 19 points in 61 games.

"Find me a more useless hockey player than Kaapo Kakko. You can't. If anyone still defends this guy it's just bc they like his name. I get it, it's a fun name to say. My wife loves it. Walks around the house saying «Kaapo Kakko» I don't have the heart to tell her he's atrocious."

The Rangers are also said to be shopping defenceman and team captain Jacob Trouba, although Trouba currently has a 15-team no-trade list, which gives him a lot of say over where he would go. There are also rumours of Filip Chytil being available for the right price.

Kakko represents an interesting target for teams looking to add youth to their lineup. The talent in certainly there, but Kakko hasn't been able to fully leverage it yet, and there's no guarantee he ever will. Teams like the Sharks and Flames have time to let Kakko find his game and become a regular in the lineup.