Rangers trade Kaapo Kakko to the Kraken for Will Borgen and draft picks

By The Associated Press on December 18, 2024.

NEW YORK (AP) – The New York Rangers traded Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, ending the winger’s tumultuous time in the organization less than 36 hours after he expressed displeasure about being a healthy scratch.

The Rangers received defenseman Will Borgen, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick from Seattle in the deal.

Kakko said Tuesday he was surprised by coach Peter Laviolette’s decision to bench him during the struggling Rangers’ game Sunday at St. Louis, calling it “easy to take the young guy and put him out.”

New York has lost 11 of its past 14 games, including five of seven since trading captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim.

Kakko, the second pick in the 2019 draft and a native of Finland, now gets a fresh start at 23 with the Kraken. He has 14 points in 30 games this season.

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