Chicago Blackhawks
4 Potential Landing Spots for Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko
Where might Kaapo Kakko land if the New York Rangers are seriously considering a trade that will send him somewhere else?
The New York Rangers look to be willing to trade their young forward Kaapo Kakko. This comes after he was a healthy scratch against the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 15, leading to speculation more was going on than a simple “coach’s decision.” Things have been up and down before, and at this point in his career, a change of scenery may be best for both sides.
Now that it is apparent that Kakko’s name is on the trade block, here are four teams that could be potential suitors:
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks, another rebuilding team, could also benefit from acquiring Kakko. With their focus on developing young talent, the Sharks can offer Kakko a top-six role, giving him significant minutes to regain his confidence. In San Jose, he would have more opportunities to grow into a key piece of their long-term core alongside prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
The Sharks have cap space to play with and the time to experiment, taking flyers on players who have potential upside.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks would benefit from adding Kakko to their rebuilding efforts. Pairing him with rising superstar Connor Bedard could help unlock the offensive potential that made Kakko the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Like San Jose, Chicago has both the patience and cap space to take a chance on a player with the tools to thrive but in need of a fresh opportunity.
The Blackhawks are feeling a bit more pressure to start winning and they’ve got a star who hates losing. The organization has already hinted they’ll try to find the right pieces to accelerate things.
Vancouver Canucks
For the Vancouver Canucks, Kakko presents an intriguing reclamation project. The Canucks are looking to strengthen their middle-six forward group. Kakko’s two-way play and size could help them in their playoff push. Head coach Rick Tocchet’s system could provide the structure Kakko needs to refine his game and contribute more consistently.
One thing to be wary of his Tocchet’s history with players who haven’t meshed in his system. First, it was Andrei Kuzmenko. This season it’s been Nils Hoglander. If Kakko is up for playing Tocchet’s way, he could thrive. If he’s not, that’s going to be a rocky relationship.
Montreal Canadiens
Lastly, the Montreal Canadiens could be an ideal fit for Kakko. There’s something about Finnish players on the Habs, like Saku Koivu, that just feels right. The Canadiens are building a young, talented core, and Kakko would complement players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. Montreal could offer him a fresh start with more offensive responsibility, helping him rediscover his confidence and scoring instincts. Head coach Martin St. Louis, known for connecting with and developing younger players, could provide the mentorship Kakko needs to take the next step in his career.
At just 23 years old, Kakko still has time to meet his potential. For teams like Chicago, San Jose, Vancouver, and Montreal, he represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity worth exploring.
Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Sabres, Canucks, Oilers, Canadiens
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