MAJOR: Recent Top-Five Pick Officially Hits the Trade Market
The New York Rangers started 2023-24 hot, and while they've slowed down recently, they will look to use the trade deadline as an opportunity to go all in for a Stanley Cup.
A former top pick on the trade market?
While the Rangers have been patient with their young trio of Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere and the now-injured Filip Chytil, it appears as though that patience has run out.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, former No. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko is now potentially on the way out of New York, with the Rangers dangling him in trade discussions hoping to land a major upgrade.
Can the 22-year old reach his full potential?
At just 22-years of age, Kakko still has plenty of potential, but for a Rangers team boasting stars such as Igor Shesterkin, Artemi Panari, Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox among others, the time to strike is now, and that means little time for patience.
The Rangers are reportedly looking for upgrades down the middle and on defense, and while giving up a player who tallied 18 goals and 40 points a season ago won't be ideal, it may be the move this team needs to take that next, final step towards a title.
As Read on NY Rangers Insider - NHL Insider drops bombshell news on Rangers trade plans
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 31 | 89 ANSWERS MAJOR: Recent Top-Five Pick Officially Hits the Trade Market Will a move ignite Kaapo Kakko's career? | ||
| Yes | 58 | 65.2 % |
| No | 31 | 34.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Kyle Connor | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alex Tuch | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Owen Power | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Michael Bunting | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Drew Helleson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jirí Kulich | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Isac Lundestrom | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vladislav Namestnikov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nino Niederreiter | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jason Zucker | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Leo Carlsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ross Johnston | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Evgeni Malkin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Josh Morrissey | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Cole Perfetti | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Bryan Rust | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mark Scheifele | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Trevor Zegras | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 20 | 17 | 3 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||