Confirmed Trade: [SEA/NYR] Kaapo Kakko for Will Borgen, 2025 3rd, 2025 6th

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I don't like the trade, but I think people expecting Kakko to become Mikko Rantanen just because he was the second overall pick have not watched him play much NHL hockey. Bro don't have the scoring skills for that. He doesn't do things that beat NHL defenses and goaltenders on a regular basis to put up that type of offense. This is why I always believed in Lafreniere more than him. Lafreniere when he was struggling would still make some plays that show the potential to eventually be a first line forward. Kakko is just a grinding forward. He's a good grinding forward, but he's a grinder. If he hits his upside, it's like a Nichushkin. I don't see it being a Rantanen.

 

[BB88]

Borgen > Kakko. Although Borgen's stats this season don't look very good. Kaapo Kakko hasn't shown any consistency in the league. Who cares about his draft position. Where were the results? All flash and no substance.

Actually he’s a quality 3rd line player with upside for more

 

[HansonBro]

So where does KK slot into the lineup now? Next to Wright?

 

[Rabid Ranger]

What's sad is this is Kakko's value. He's just not that good and is unlikely to amount to much more in Seattle. Call it a blown pick, but hind sight is 20/20.

 

[izzy]

Eh dont see why other teams didnt outbid here

there is legit upside here and hes already a responsible player capable of .5 ppg

 

[viper0220]

I really hope Kakko does really well and gives the middle finger to the f***ing rags.

 

[izzy]

He’s 28 going on 29 - he is a bottom pair defensive D - not sure there is any more major development there

Hes 27 rn depending on your time zone

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

This isn’t as bad at Rangers fans are making it out to be

You're right It's worse because the way the Rangers are going Will Borgen is going to be around about 9 weeks.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

Even if he tops out as a 50ish point player, that's a bad move for the Rangers. Really surprised another GM couldn't offer more. Unless the idea is just to get the guy as far away as possible.

 

[Brewsky]

This trade proves this place knows absolutely nothing about trade value.

Can't believe Kakko got a 3rd and 5th lmao

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Eh dont see why other teams didnt outbid here

there is legit upside here and hes already a responsible player capable of .5 ppg

.....maybe because there wasn't much of market? His public comments likely didn't much either.

 

[Rschmitz]

What's sad is this is Kakko's value. He's just not that good and is unlikely to amount to much more in Seattle. Call it a blown pick, but hind sight is 20/20.

Maybe under the assumption that Kakko has no upside.

 

[Rowlet]

Eh dont see why other teams didnt outbid here

there is legit upside here and hes already a responsible player capable of .5 ppg

Sometimes teams don't care to get value/don't have time to shop around, they just need the distraction gone.

We saw the same thing happen with Hronek and with Walman, both ironically with the Red Wings.

 

[Evergreen]

I also think it's a shit return, but if that's all he got, it also means no one was offering more... so either they think Kakko ill be no more than a 3rd liner, or they think he might be problematic.

Or they are reacting emotionally to Kakko’s comments the other day and are basically saying “I’ll show you” and eliminating any leverage they have in a trade negotiation.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

Damn I wish the devils had gotten him for that.

Bellingerent Bill is worth more than Kakko

 

[Ciao]

I wanna know how the Bern man feels about this one lol

. . . STOP
Giving away KK is NOT the answer
He has proven himself effective w/2 versions of the kid line
just keep him w/Cuylle + Chytil/Brodz and get out of the way

Since you asked.

I think that was posted this morning.

You never have to wonder too long what's on his mind.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Maybe under the assumption that Kakko has no upside.

How often do players that have this many games in change their stripes? HF likes to pretend that upside is unlimited when in fact it's very much limited. That's not to say Kakko doesn't have potentially more to give with more opportunity, but I would be very surprised if it's a seismic shift.

 

[LaffyTaffy13]

Kakko is a very good 3rd line winger. Possession monster, defensively responsible, lacks scoring touch. But he’ll be a steady 15G/25A type of player.

 

[Tahoeblue]

Great job, Drury. Another bang-up job you did.


Like I said, Chris Drury is the worst GM in the NHL.

Sweet Lou says, "hold my beer!"

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

I was under the impression Borgen was a good #5 that could play higher in a pinch. Getting a useful RHD and a 3rd + 6th for a 3rd line winger isn't horrible.

We'll see if Kakko can become more in Seattle.

 

[Petes2424]

It's funny to me that Drury allegedly refused to include Kakko in a Guentzel deadline deal only to trade him for a bottom pair D and a 3rd half a season later.

We can pretty much guarantee a Guentzel deal NEVER hinged on Kakko being involved. Drury tried moving him after Xmas last year, and from what I understand, the offers weren’t much better than this deal. So they kept him, hoping he’d turn a corner before now.

It just wasn’t in the cards. He probably would’ve been served better with a year in the AHL, but he was already a physically capable winger. They don’t ask much from those kids. Just go win battles and create scoring chances. When he does it, it’s great. Problem is, we see it, then you’re not even sure he played for the next two games.

Did they use him wrong? Probably some of that, but once again, nobody was asking him to have any major responsibilities on the wing. If he were a C, definitely should’ve played in the AHL for a year. Then there’d be more blame to put on the Rangers.

What’s bad is, some of the kids drafted after him. Although, I can say without stuttering, I’d have taken him too. Pretty sure most people would have. Hopefully he finds a new life in Seattle. My guess is, if it happens, it’ll happen pretty quickly.

 

[gabevh3]

Even if he tops out as a 50ish point player, that's a bad move for the Rangers. Really surprised another GM couldn't offer more. Unless the idea is just to get the guy as far away as possible.

He should with a small market team but his peak in ny would've been around .5 ppg. Just Couldn't handle the big market pressure.

 

[SRHRangers]

More 5v5 points than both Krieder and that pansy Vegan..

But KK was the problem.

Can't wait to see how the Drury groupies defend this one like they defended getting 40 cents on the dollar for Buch.

 

[gach]

Now Seattle has 2 high profile busts

 

[Ciao]

Buy high, sell low, put it behind you and forget about it.

Whatever was happening with this player wasn't working out anyhow. Time to move on.