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Devils Rival: Rangers Trade Former 2019 Second Overall Pick

Originally posted on New Jersey Hockey Now
By James Nichols | Last updated Dec 18, 2024 8:35 PM ET

The Kappo Kakko era on Broadway has come to an end as the New York Rangers trade the former 2019-second overall selection to the Seattle Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick. The New Jersey Devils’ rival is seemingly reshaping their roster amid struggles.

The Rangers selected Kakko one pick after the Devils selected Jack Hughes first overall.

Kakko wraps up his Rangers career by scoring 61 goals and 131 points in 330 games.

The trade comes one night after Kappo Kakko was a healthy scratch when the Devils’ rival faced the St. Louis Blues on Sunday evening. New York fell to St. Louis 3-2 in regulation.

Following the healthy scratch, Kakko expressed his displeasure with the decision.

“I was surprised,” he said after the scratch. “I know you’ve got to do something as the coach when you’re losing games, but it’s easy to pick the young guy and put him out. That’s how I feel.”

According to Kevin Weekes of ESPN, the Rangers trade that sent Kakko to the Kraken was not in lieu of the Finnish forward’s comments.

Peter Baugh of The Athletic explained that the Rangers were hesitant to commit to Kakko long-term, and Will Borgen had been a long-time trade target for the Blueshirts.

There’s little doubt that Kakko failed to develop into the star he was projected to become when the Rangers selected him second overall in 2019. This season, Kakko scored four goals and 14 points in 30 contests, playing primarily alongside Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle.

The Rangers are getting a 6-foot-3, right shot defensive defenseman in Borgen who can fill the void left by Jacob Trouba. Borgen played all 14 games in Seattle’s postseason run during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Devils won’t have to wait long to see Kakko in a Kraken jersey. After the holiday’s, the Devils are on a western road trip, and will face the Kraken in Seattle on Monday, January 6th.