Los Angeles Kings Should Trade New York Rangers' Kaapo Kakko – Hockey Writers –

The Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers simultaneously embarked on a rebuild around 2018, bringing in plenty of prospects and early draft picks. As a result, the two teams scouted the same players and selected at the same positions in the NHL Draft. Although the Rangers are close to the Stanley Cup finals and the Kings have yet to make it past the first round, both teams need to revamp their programs. Kaapo Kakko stands out as the casualty of this potential reshuffle.

Why Guardians Should Trade Kakko

Kakko was originally selected by the Rangers second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft but did not live up to the hype. Now 23, he has 300 NHL regular season games under his belt, with just 57 goals and 117 points. He has failed to find a consistent role in the Rangers lineup, rarely seeing time in the top six or on the powerplay. Although he is well behaved and a strong defender, his inability to contribute offensively has frustrated the Rangers management. Because of this, he was scratched for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers, and played more than 12 minutes per game in the 2024 Playoffs.

Related: Revisiting Blue Jackets and Jets' Dubois Laine Trade

While keeping Kakko because of his defensive presence and upside would make sense for the Rangers, it may be in their best interest to cut ties with a top prospect and bring in a new face in the bottom six. With Kakko recently signed for just $2.4 million on a one-year contract, the Rangers could better use the money to find room for the offensive production that Kakko has not provided.

Why Kings Should Trade Kakko

As already mentioned, why do Amakhosi want to trade Kakko? The Kings have not been good at developing small forwards, as evidenced by the struggles of Arthur Kaliyev, Alex Turcotte and Akil Thomas to find consistent playing time in the NHL. The team is also trying to compete now, so taking on a seemingly ambitious project doesn't make a lot of sense in a program with so much uncertainty. While that may be true, the Kings don't have many realistic options to add upside to their roster.

While the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade for Darcy Kuemper freed up several million dollars in salary, the Kings still have little room to work this offseason. Even if Matt Roy leaves, the team must deal with several restricted free agents and strengthen their core. Adding Kakko, who makes $2.4 million next season, would add a 23-year-old top-six player at a good price.

Kakko may not have impressive scoring production, but the talent is there. He scored 18 goals in the 2022-23 season and had 22 goals in 45 games in the 2018-19 season with TPS in the Liiga. In New York, he never got a chance to settle into a top-six role, but the Kings will be able to provide that.

Kakko is a right shot, which the Kings need to add. He is also great defensively and physical in the front. General manager Rob Blake said in a press conference of head coach Jim Hiller that the team needs more offense without sacrificing defense. His speech also included how he believes the team needs to be stronger in the offensive area. He pointed out how it is easy to get within five meters of the crease, but to get within two or three meters is very difficult. Kakko will fulfill these criteria, and it will be at an affordable price.

Printing Kakko Trade

Not only is Kakko's salary affordable, but he is commercially available. Like the Kings, the Rangers won't have much cap space this offseason, so every dollar counts. They have already cleared Barclay Goodrow's $3,641,667 million target and will need to make more moves if they hope to land Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos, as recent reports have suggested.

The Rangers have no cash left, with just five picks in the first four rounds of the next three drafts. The kings do not have all their capital, but they have enough to make a deal. They can send second-round picks in the 2025, 2026, or 2027 Drafts, as well as other mid-round picks. It's hard to gauge what a deal could look like, but a second- and fourth-round pick should be the right balance for both sides. This draft pick will not be a monument to the success of the Rangers, but it can be used in future trades that will help the Rangers acquire the most desired player in the trade.

According to a report from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Rangers are looking to move Kakko with the 30th pick to move up in the first round (from 'How the Rangers approach Jacob Trouba's critical decision after playoff struggles, ' The New York Post, 6/24/24). With the Kings owning the 21st pick, he could be a trade partner. A trade in this draft could see the Kings send the 21st pick and a future fourth or fifth round pick to the Rangers for Kakko and the 30th pick. This deal could be in favor of the Kings, but the Rangers may jump to a deal if there is any excitement that they fear will not be there when their name is called.

The NHL Draft is this Friday (June 28) and will be the 62nd Entry Draft in league history, the first to take place in Las Vegas, and the first to be held by the Utah Hockey Club. The offseason has already seen many big deals, and draft night could be no different. With both the Kings and Rangers in need of a change, it's hard to imagine the night won't see at least one club make a trade.