The New York Rangers now have a problem on their hands. They are lacking depth down the middle with the season-ending injury to Filip Chytil. This means this is an area the team has to target at the trade deadline. By bringing in someone worth the add, they may have to package off an asset or just clear more space to bring someone in. This being Kaapo Kakko. As Darren Dreger reported, the Rangers have started to get calls on Kakko, and he could be moved. These are three teams that it would make sense for him to be dealt to.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are undecided on the rest of the season. They may have to trade Jake Guentzel if he isn’t going to re-sign, but there may also be some other pieces on the move. Even if Guentzel is moved, I don’t think that the Penguins are done attempting to win one last Stanley Cup before any sort of rebuild. With that, they will need pieces that are hungry and could not only help them change and win now, but may keep them out of a really tough rebuild. Kakko would be that type of player. The 22-year-old hasn’t been able to live up to his potential in New York, but he is still young and the Penguins will need wingers sooner than more centermen. I see a fit in the top-six alongside elite veteran centermen to help grow his game. He still has the potential to be a game-changer.
Anaheim Ducks
The Rangers need a centerman and the Anaheim Ducks are selling assets. I know what you may be thinking, Trevor Zegras. But no. I would suggest Adam Henrique instead. That third line is young with rookie Will Cuylle on it and even though the veteran Henrique is more than capable of putting up strong numbers in the top-six, depth like this would be very nice to have for a Stanley Cup hopeful. The Ducks need more help on the wing, especially if Henrique, who’s currently playing on the wing, Jakob Silfverberg, and Frank Vatrano are likely being traded. Kakko is a similar age to many of the young and upcoming stars on the team and would have a chance to grow with them rather than being forced right in the fire like he was with the Rangers.
Chicago Blackhawks
Again. Kakko being dealt to a team like the Chicago Blackhawks wouldn’t need him as a primary piece to bring anyone back. But the Blackhawks should be a team that is very interested as they are on the rise like the Ducks. The Blackhawks need young pieces and Kakko’s potential on the wing of Connor Bedard could be dangerous.
Related: Canucks Trade Horvat to Islanders for Beauvillier, More: 1 Year Later
Kakko would get power-play time and a top-six role, plus he still has much more to give. The Blackhawks have the assets to acquire him, and could even reduce that if there is any interest from the Rangers in bringing in Tyler Johnson as their third line center for the remainder of the season.
