Rangers ignite trade speculation with latest move.

Earlier today the Rangers announced a pair of moves that caused me to raise an eyebrow and it now appears as though I'm not alone in thinking that the decisions from the Rangers may indeed point to something bigger on the horizon.

The move that just about everyone is talking is the decision on Sunday evening to make former 2019 first round pick (2nd overall) Kaapo Kakko a healthy scratch. Kakko has often been the subject of trade speculation and it would appear that many believe the reason for Kakko's scratch on Sunday was more than a mere coach's decision, which is what the Rangers themselves have claimed.

In fact head coach Peter Laviolette tried to downplay the entire situation after the game.

"We were putting fresh legs in the lineup tonight just based on the decision that we made to go with this lineup," said Laviolette in rather unconvincing fashion.

The decision from the Rangers and the excuse given for making it have been called out by prominent figures who cover the team regularly, including Rangers insider Larry Brooks. Brooks was incredulous about the explanation put forth by the Rangers and expressed his disbelief that this was just a typical healthy scratch.

"I don't think Kakko has been at his best recently, but come on, he is the one singled out? Can't be," wrote Brooks on Sunday night. "This cannot simply be a run-of-the-mill healthy scratch."

Brooks even went so far as to speculate that this could be a prelude to a trade deal.

The NHL Network's Mike Rupp also seemed incredulous, but reserved judgement for the time being.

Rangers reporter Vince Mercogliano also called this move "peculiar" on the part of the Rangers.

It seems that no one is buying what the Rangers are selling right now, and only time will tell if Kakko will indeed be moved.