«The deal with Kakko now, after five pro seasons and 300 NHL games, is that he's not a player other teams are coveting,» The Athletic's Arthur Staple wrote. «Teams surely want him, and I'd guess Drury has received offers but nothing good � he's a buy-low player now.»
The 23-year-old was coming off a lackluster 2023-2024 season, scoring 19 points( 6 G, 13 A) in 61 games with the Rangers.
It could prove to be wise for GM Chris Drury to see if Kakko can rebound next season and find his game again, despite a regression last season.
It wouldn't be worth it for the Rangers to give up a former 1st round pick for a bag of pucks, and Kakko will now have another chance to prove himself in 2024-2025.
It'd be different if the Rangers couldn't fit Kakko into the lineup, but he has a role in the bottom six and will play a defensive role with the team, as a two-way forward.
This could be Kakko's last year in New York, should things go south.