Kaapo Kakko was traded to the Seattle Kraken by the New York Rangers on Wednesday.
New York received defenseman Will Borgen, and a third- and sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The forward, selected No. 2 by the Rangers in the 2019 NHL Draft, said he's hoping the trade gives him a fresh start.
"Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping," Kakko said Thursday. "This year, there’s been some good games and kind of bad games, also. It’s a new chance for me. I played there for a long time, just one team. I’m happy to be here and that’s what I’m thinking, also."
Seattle general manager Ron Francis said the Kraken have been looking for a forward on the right side.
“We’ve been kicking tires on different things and with (forward Jordan Eberle) out, we’re short on the right side,” Francis said. “This guy gives us somebody that can play the right wing. He’s a big boy (6-foot-1, 215 pounds), and he’s got some skills. So, we thought it was the right move to make.”
Eberle, the Seattle captain, underwent pelvis surgery on Nov. 22 and is expected to be out through at least the end of February. He last played on Nov. 14.
Kakko, a 23-year-old forward, has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 30 games this season while averaging 13:17 of ice time per game. He was selected No. 2 in the 2019 Draft by the Rangers and had 131 points (61 goals, 70 assists) in 330 games during his time in New York. Kakko returned to the lineup in a 3-0 loss to the Nashville Predators Tuesday after he was a healthy scratch in a 3-2 loss at the St. Louis Blues on Sunday. Earlier this week, he said he was suprised by the scratch."
"The team didn’t play good also. I was frustrated. I think everyone who is not playing — everyone wants to play," Kakko said. "That’s what I wanted, also. They told me there’s a lot of good players, somebody playing PK, somebody power play. That doesn’t matter anymore. It’s a new team for me, I’m not thinking about it. A lot of good guys over there. New chance for me.
Borgen, 27, has a goal and an assist in 33 games this season while averaging 15:12 of ice time. Selected in the fourth round (No. 92) of the 2015 Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Borgen played 14 games over two seasons for the Sabres before he was claimed by Seattle in the 2021 Expansion Draft, where he had 55 points (nine goals, 46 assists) in 233 games.
"I also want to thank Will for everything he's done for our francise," Francis said. "As an original member of the Kraken, we wish him all the best in New York."
The Rangers also recalled center Matt Rempe from Hartford of the American Hockey League and assigned defenseman Victor Mancini to the AHL team. Mancini has played in 15 games for New York with five points (one goal, four assists), while Rempe has appeared in four games for the Rangers, averaging 6:26 of ice time.
The Rangers (15-15-1) sit in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division having lost five of six and are 3-11-0 in their past 14 games after winning the Presidents’ Trophy as the top team in the NHL during the 2023-2024 regular season. They conclude a three-game road trip at the Dallas Stars on Friday.
The Kraken (15-16-2) lost 3-0 to the Ottawa Senators Tuesday and are in sixth place in the Pacific Division. They travel to play the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
