Kraken get Kakko from NY Rangers for Borgen, picks

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 09: Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers skates the puck up the ice in the first period of a game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on November 09, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Mike Mulholland / Getty Images)

The Seattle Kraken acquired forward Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers on Wednesday in a trade for defenseman Will Borgen, and 2025 third- and sixth-round draft picks.

"Kaapo is a young dynamic forward who brings skill and offense to our club," general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. "We're excited to have him join us. I also want to thank Will for everything he's done for our franchise. As an original member of the Kraken, we wish him all the best in New York."

A former No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the 23-year-old Kakko hasn't fully blossomed into a top-end scorer during his six seasons with the Rangers. He's set to be a restricted free agent after this season with arbitration rights, which is one of the reasons New York was looking to move him. Kakko's best season with the Rangers came in 2022-23 when he had 18 goals and 22 assists. In 30 games this season, Kakko has four goals and 10 assists.

Kakko will likely play higher in the lineup with Seattle than he was with the Rangers, which could give him more chances to thrive. He was averaging just 13 minutes of time on ice a game this season with New York

Similarly for Seattle, Borgen is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Joshua Mahura played really well during the injury absences of Vince Dunn and Ryker Evans and showed he's deserving of a regular spot in the lineup with his play. That spot comes open with the move of Borgen to New York.

Borgen has just one goal and one assist this season and is a minus-13 in 33 games played for the Kraken.

Borgen has played in 216 consecutive regular-season games, which is the 17th-longest active Iron Man streak in the NHL. His 535 hits are second-most all-time in team history behind Adam Larsson's 614.

The Rangers have been in a free fall over the last month, winning just three of their last 14 games. Two of those losses came against the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators, who each had the worst record in the NHL at the time of their wins over New York.

The Rangers had already dealt away team captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks 10 days ago, with veteran Chris Kreider also rumored to be available.

The Kraken needed to address their scoring struggles amid the absence of Jordan Eberle, who isn't expected back until at least February after surgery. They were shutout, 3-0, on Tuesday by the Ottawa Senators and lost 5-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.

Kakko's addition also means the Kraken will now have a representative playing in the 4 Nations Face-Off for Finland during the February break. Eeli Tolvanen (Finland) and Brandon Montour (Canada) were among Seattle players not selected for the international tournament set to be held in Montreal and Boston.