It’s widely known that the New York Rangers are open to trade offers for nearly all their players. Chris Kreider was mentioned in the infamous memo that sparked the team’s current downturn. K’Andre Miller’s name has also been brought up by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, but the latest player to be linked with a potential exit is Kaapo Kakko, a Finnish winger, who was highlighted by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman a few weeks ago as someone who might want to leave the team.
As reported by SDPN’s Steve “Dangle” Glynn, Kakko is seeking a larger role, which the Rangers are unable to offer him. Glynn stated on his podcast that Kakko is “the only player that wants out.” The winger is looking for both a bigger role and a higher salary—neither of which he is likely to get in New York.
Therefore, he’s interested in finding a new team, which aligns with the ongoing speculation about his future with the Rangers.
Kaapo Kakko has attracted significant interest from various teams over the years, with organizations such as Ottawa, Vancouver, Carolina, and Pittsburgh all keeping an eye on the Finnish winger. If the Rangers decide to trade him, they will have no shortage of potential suitors.
However, the challenge for the Rangers will be ensuring they receive good value in return for Kakko. A trade involving underperforming young players could benefit both sides, but finding such a deal won’t be easy.
Looking at the Rangers’ short-term future, The Athletic has reportedly ranked Kakko sixth on their latest trade board, indicating that a move is likely imminent. As the Rangers undergo these changes, they will face some struggles during the transition. While growing pains are part of the process, the hope is that the team will improve over time.
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