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

The New York Rangers have traded right winger Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen plus third- and sixth-round selections in the upcoming NHL Draft.

The transaction comes one day after Kakko voiced his displeasure with head coach Peter Laviolette’s decision to scratch him Sunday versus the St. Louis Blues, noting that there were other teammates more deserving to be held out of the lineup. In all, Kakko’s absence lasted one game as he returned to the lineup Tuesday, putting up three shots and a minus-one rating across 10:14 of ice-time in a 2-0 home ice loss to the Nashville Predators.

On the season, Kakko has registered four goals and 10 assists for 14 points through 30 appearances. The 23-year-old Finnish-born forward was originally chosen second overall by the Rangers in the 2019 NHL Draft. He posted a career high of 40 points counting 18 goals and 22 assists through 82 contests in 2022-23. Kakko is just six points shy of surpassing his 19-point finish from a year ago.

Per PuckPedia, Kakko carries a $2.4-million annual average value and can become a restricted free agent this offseason.

Borgen heads to New York after making 33 appearances with the Kraken this season in which he has tallied one goal and one assist. The 27-year-old Minnesota native notched a career high of 25 points with the Kraken a year ago as he finished with three goals and 22 assists coming in 82 outings.

Borgen has spent the past four seasons with the Kraken after being claimed from the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 Expansion Draft. He was originally selected 92nd overall by the Sabres in the 2015 NHL Draft.

The veteran rearguard carries a $2.7-million annual average value and can become an unrestricted free agent in July, per PuckPedia.