i’m not sure it could get any worse though. at least at the deadline teams are really ready to shell out for guys.
someone on rangers board said it perfectly imo, this doesn’t help their cap, doesn’t help them today, and doesn’t help their future.
Something seems sour in their room so that would probably explain why they wouldn't want to wait another ten weeks. Guys like Toffoli, Mantha, and Niederreiter fetched 2nds at last year's deadline but they have a longer history of being effective. Just seems like more teams would view Kakko as a failed to launch prospect who would have a relatively expensive QO with arb rights rather than a deadline rental that could put them over the top.
At least looking at the likely playoff teams in the West:
Winnipeg - Probably a more glaring need at 2C. Kakko would be lower on the totem pole than Connor-Vilardi-Ehlers-Perfetti-Niederreiter. (also forgot that we have their 2025 2nd for Toffoli)
Dallas - Also bigger need at C with Seguin injured. Missing their 2025 2nd from previous deadline deal.
Colorado - Not a ton of cap space or draft picks
Minnesota - Plenty of wing depth, bigger need at C.
Edmonton - Don't need more wingers, bigger need for a RHD. Don't have their 2025 2nd from a previous trade.
Los Angeles - Plenty of wing depth. Don't have their 2025 2nd from a previous trade.
Vegas - Limited cap, already traded 1st/3rd round picks this year
Vancouver - Plenty of wing depth, already looking to trade Hoglander