The New York Rangers traded forward Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen, along with third- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Following Kakko’s departure, the Rangers filled the gap by recalling forward Matt Rempe from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL and sending defenseman Victor Mancini to Hartford.
The trade comes amid a tough stretch for the Rangers, who have gone 3-11-0 in their last 14 games. Kakko, who had expressed frustration with being a healthy scratch during Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues, played just 10:14 in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Nashville Predators—his final game with New York.
NHL insider Kevin Weekes clarified that the trade was unrelated to Kakko’s recent comments, emphasizing that the Rangers respect Kakko and that the decision was mutual, giving both sides a fresh start. Kakko, who signed a one-year deal with the Rangers in June, is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2025.
Selected second overall in the 2019 draft, Kakko has recorded 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 30 games this season. His career high came in 2022-23 when he posted 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists). Over six seasons with the Rangers, Kakko tallied 61 goals and 131 points in 330 games but ultimately fell short of the expectations tied to his draft position.
Rangers acquire defenseman Will Borgan in Kaapo Kakko trade
Kakko is the latest piece to move in what looks to be a series of changes orchestrated by general manager Chris Drury. With the season slipping away, action is necessary to reverse the Rangers’ downward trajectory.
Just under two weeks ago, the team traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.
After a strong start at 12-4-1, the Rangers have dropped to an even 15-15-1, placing them sixth in the Metropolitan Division and 23rd in the league standings.
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In exchange for Kakko, the Rangers received defenseman Will Borgen, a 27-year-old with 247 NHL games under his belt. Drafted in the fourth round in 2015 by the Buffalo Sabres, Borgen has spent most of his career with the Kraken, who picked him in the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft. This season, he has one goal and one assist in 33 games, averaging 15:12 of ice time — a notable decrease from the 17:35 he averaged last season, when he set a career high with 25 points (three goals, 22 assists).
Borgen has been a durable presence, playing all 82 games in each of the last two seasons. With Mancini reassigned to Hartford, Borgen is expected to serve as a depth defenseman in the Rangers’ bottom pair, alongside Chad Ruhwedel and recently acquired Urho Vaakanainen, who made his team debut Tuesday.
Additionally, the Rangers added two draft picks for 2025 in the deal. Whether Drury holds onto these selections or uses them as trade assets, they enhance New York’s future flexibility.
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