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

[PullHard]

Why have the Rangers deployed guys like Vesey, Wheeler, Roslovic, Smith, etc in their top 6 in recent years rather than try to get their 1st and 2nd overall picks going?

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Why have the Rangers deployed guys like Vesey, Wheeler, Roslovic, Smith, etc in their top 6 in recent years rather than try to get their 1st and 2nd overall picks going?

Because they’re f***ing stupid that’s why

 

[LOFIN]

Opportunity, but also confidence is inportant. Small sample but so far he’s 13pts in 14 games with a bad team. Also worth mentioning 23 year olds absolutely can continue developing.

This is the key. If you actually look at the play, Kakko looks like he has that extra step now. He's yapping at the opponents, making hits. driving the net. Something he didn't do with the Rangers during his last years...

 

[jaa]

This is the key. If you actually look at the play, Kakko looks like he has that extra step now. He's yapping at the opponents, making hits. driving the net. Something he didn't do with the Rangers during his last years...

This. He looks like the same kakko who dominated finnish liiga before his draft. Slso, Cuylle hasn't been the same after kakkos departure from NYR.

 

[David71]

woops wrong thread

 

[avsfan09]

This is whats wrong and annoying with Hfboards. Kakko is producing because he plays in bad team which lacks foward talents. Other side is that player is producing because he is product of his linemate which you hear alot in Hfboards.

So basically Kakko is lucky that he plays in bad team with bad linemates and his not that good. But for example Kaprizov is underrated and amazing player because he can produce in that level with bad linemates.

Rangers suck, why isn’t Lafrenierre producing.

 

[bondra]

Rangers suck, why isn’t Lafrenierre producing.

I dont know, ask from username Pavel Buchnevich.

If we follow his logic, Lafreniere isnt producing because he plays with too good linemates Panarin and Trocheck. And Kakko is producing because he plays with Berniers and Schwartz.

 

[Coven]

I dont know, ask from username Pavel Buchnevich.

If we follow his logic, Lafreniere isnt producing because he plays with too good linemates Panarin and Trocheck. And Kakko is producing because he plays with Berniers and Schwartz.

Is Lafreniere getting artificially manipulated TOI though?

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Rangers suck, why isn’t Lafrenierre producing.

Because this team has a culture problem that has infiltrated the youngsters.

But rest assured, when Lafreniere gets on a new team, he'll fulfill his potential.

 

[Price is Wright]

Oh for sure, they gave up practically nothing. But it also has to be said, that while Rangers probably didn't get the best value for Kakko, keeping him was not an option either.

"We had to trade him so we did what we had to do."

Welcome to something every GM in the history of sports has to deal with: Players you have to trade.

Chris Drury (the new Garth Snow) is not getting any false credit for doing what he has to do, especially since he's creating a lot of these situations.

 

[elmaco]

12 points in last 10 games and is +4 to boot(in those 10 games).

 

[FinPanda]

Honestly I'm thrilled how Kakko is doing. Good that he got a better chance elsewhere than on the Rangers.

 

[lakeshirts37]

This is Sammy Blais all over again

not even close to the same scenario. both are bad though

 

[Flan the incredible]

not even close to the same scenario. both are bad though

kind of is. Both players went on an amazing run and I remember telling everyone that Blais will not keep it up and thats the same for Kappo. Kappo still isn't shooting and his shooting % is way up. These assists aren't always going to come as many if them are here you go from the d zone and the guy skates up the ice and scores. His stats will increase based on usage and TOI but he isn't a PPG player or anywhere near it. It will come back to normal.

 

[The don godfather]

I'm picking up kakko in my hockey fantasy league the secrets out now. Hes the real deal.

 

[paragon]

It's too small of a sample size to gloat on the Rangers. Tolvanen was also great right after he was traded to Seattle, but regressed a bit since his first half of a season. Let's see how well Kakko plays after the honeymoon is over.

 

[KrakenSabresMike]

It's too small of a sample size to gloat on the Rangers. Tolvanen was also great right after he was traded to Seattle, but regressed a bit since his first half of a season. Let's see how well Kakko plays after the honeymoon is over.

The funny thing is he’s actually playing better than he did when he first joined the team… So post honeymoon? I get your general point that it’s still early to the team but it’s not out of the room of possibility that he is just a much better player with more playing time. He would be very far from the first good player that improved when he got moved up the lineup. If he’s a 60 to 80 point player, for what that Kraken traded, it is a steal of a deal. Even if he ends up being a 50 point player it still is… Borgen was not going to re-sign here and an actually good team is a bottom pair defenseman. The three and five are chump change.

If he ends up like Sam Bennett - would you in retrospect trade what the reachers got for him? Similar draft position and stalled development ….for a bigger size no 2 overall pick still 23 it’s still a decent chance that he’s showing the more that’s actually there in him

 

[Matti_A]

The biggest difference now is that Kakko looks relaxed and playing with confidence like he was before he made it to the NHL.

This is the Kakko I remember watching and being excited about.

In New York they didn't know to utilize him properly and he never got to play to his strengths. Most of the time he looked like the dog who gets beat.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

The biggest difference now is that Kakko looks relaxed and playing with confidence like he was before he made it to the NHL.

This is the Kakko I remember watching and being excited about.

In New York they didn't know to utilize him properly and he never got to play to his strengths. Most of the time he looked like the dog who gets beat.

The Rongos definitely shoved his nose in shit