Trade offers for Kaapo Kakko ruin Rangers’ plans

The New York Rangers are looking to shake up their roster this offseason, however one trade attempt has not gone according to plans. On top of shopping captain Jacob Trouba, the Blue Shirts are also looking to move former number two overall pick Kaapo Kakko. However, reporter Vincent Mercogliano has revealed that the Rangers did not like the trade offers they’ve received for the winger, which could lead to the team having to honour the one-year deal worth $2.4 million they signed him to earlier in the summer.

“Even more ice time could be available if Kakko is ultimately traded, but one source indicated the Blueshirts weren’t thrilled with the offers that came in around the draft. Teams were trying to buy low on the former No. 2 overall pick, with Drury rightly holding off unless someone ups the ante.

“Given the current depth chart we just laid out, the Rangers can’t afford to give him away for peanuts. They’d need an NHL-caliber player in return to fill the resulting hole in the lineup, otherwise they should hold Kakko and hope this is the year it all comes together.”

Kakko hasn’t developed into the top six power-forward he was drafted to be yet and the Rangers were probably hoping rival clubs would see a change a scenery as the perfect remedy for the Finn.

Some suitors did emerge, including the Penguins, Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks, though clearly their offers were not good enough for Drury and the Rangers.

Where will Kakko be at the start of the upcoming season?