Kraken Land Kaapo Kakko
One team is in a complete funk, the other one needs to generate more offense, so the New York Rangers moved on from their 2019 2nd-overall NHL Draft pick Kaapo Kakko, in exchange for Seattle defenseman Will Borgen and two 2025 draft picks. That would be a 3rd-rounder and a 6th-rounder.
Both players are on expiring contracts.
Kakko, a 23-year-old Finn with high expectations, was ready for a change of scenery. He struggled to find a groove in Manhattan, this season tallying just four goals and ten assists in 30 games. His best season came in 2022-’23 when he had 18 goals and 40 points.
Kakko has 44 games of Stanley Cup playoff experience and will represent Finland at the upcoming Four Nations Face-Off in February, also featuring the best NHL players from Sweden, Canada, and the United States.
Right-hander Borgen, an original member of the franchise since 2021, struggled with turnovers this season and was a team-worse minus-13 for the Kraken. While the archaic stat leaves out plenty of specifics, it does provide a basic concept as to where a player stands. The Kraken have struggled moving the puck from their own end in recent games, while at the other end, Borgen doesn’t offer an offensive element.
He does bring size to the back-end for the Broadway Blueshirts, a club that parted ways with their big, mean captain Jacob Trouba on December 8th. Borgen will be a 6th or 7th defenseman.
It appears lefty Josh Mahura will take over as Seattle’s 6th regular defenseman. He’s already played in 21 games for the big club this season. Two seasons ago he produced four goals and 16 points in 82 games for the Florida Panthers. He played for the Cats again last season, 30 games, but wasn’t involved at all in their postseason run to the Stanley Cup.
Mahura signed with the Kraken on July 3rd.
