Upon entering the offseason, the New York Rangers had Kaapo Kakko, the previous No. 2 pick, set to become a free agency. In an attempt to keep him on board, they promptly resigned him to a one-year extension. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t still be moved, though.
The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie views the Calgary Flames as “a team to watch on the trade market” when it comes to acquiring young players. The analyst listed eleven young people, including Kakko, who might be targets.
“There’s a reward to be found if the Flames found a consistent line with suitable players for Kakko—and he stays healthy,” McKenzie wrote.
On June 13, the Rangers made an unexpected declaration. They gave Kakko $2.4 million and extended his contract for one additional season. Kakko and New York, in turn, managed to stay out of restricted free agency. On July 1, 2025, Kakko will become an unrestricted free agent.
In contrast to other potential trade targets for the Flames that McKenzie listed, Kakko is not aggressively looking to leave New York. The franchise in this instance may be interested in relocating the athlete.
New York Exploring Trade Options With Kaapo Kakko
In the 2019 NHL Draft, the Rangers selected Kakko with the second overall choice. If Kakko becomes a superstar, that much is still unknown after 300 regular-season games.
Kakko has 117 points through the 2023–24 season (57 goals, 60 assists), but in 44 playoff games with New York, he has only 9 postseason points.
When Kakko was benched for a game in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette raised more doubts about Kakko’s future in New York.
On June 25, Peter Baugh and Arthur Staple of The Athletic discussed the Rangers’ interest in acquiring Guentel and revealed that New York was willing to deal Kakko.
According to Staple and Baugh, “Kapo Kakko, who signed his $2.4-million qualifier last week, is reportedly being shopped by the Rangers.”
More recently, USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano reiterated the late-June rumors in the New Ice City podcast, which aired on July 3. He thinks the Rangers are still looking for a serious trade partner and offer for Kakko.
Mercogliano remarked, “I’m pretty sure they’re dangling Kaapo Kakko and will pursue deals to maybe move him this summer.” “I believe the reason he’s still on the roster is that they’re not overly happy with the offers they’ve received thus far.”
Rangers Looking to Improve Forward Corps
It may seem counterintuitive, but the Rangers may strengthen their attacking lines by trading for a winger like Kakko. Two forwards have already been added to the team in the first few days of the summer.
Sam Carrick, formerly of the Edmonton Oilers, inked a $3 million, three-year contract with New York. Also acquired by the Rangers was Reilly Smith of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Even yet, it’s reasonable to argue that the Rangers’ offense on July 1 didn’t significantly improve. Carrick is anticipated to center in the fourth line, while Smith would be positioned on the right side of the first line, per Daily Faceoff’s lineup projections.
Smith is projected as the first reserve for the Rangers, although he just had a mediocre season. In 76 regular-season games with Pittsburgh, he scored 40 points.
However, Kadri’s seven-year, $49 million contract contains a No-Move Clause. He would have to consent to the Rangers trading him. That would be, of course, if a deal including him and Kakko was made between New York and Calgary.