Original 6 franchise looking to move on from trainwreck draft pick

Kaapo Kakko has always been one player who has always struggled to adapt to the NHL pace. Even at the time of the draft, people were a little unsure of his transitional ability into the NHL. It's never good to doubt anything about a second overall pick, and unfortunately it seems like those doubts may have been founded in reality.

Kakko's time in New York has been terribly mismanaged as well as Kakko just seemingly not being good enough for the NHL, which is terrible for the value of the pick he was selected at. It's been rumoured for a while now, but it seems like the Rangers are actively trying to cut their losses and shop Kakko around to anyone who will take a flyer on him.


Kakko has been playing full time in the NHL since the Rangers drafted him second overall in the 2019 entry draft. He has 104 points in 267 games played, which is abysmal for someone who was drafted so high. His season best is 40 points in 82 games, and he has never hit the half a point per game mark.


The Rangers should also be held responsible for Kakko not transitioning well, as their development of both him and Alexis Lafreniere has been a joke. Kakko was given an average time on ice of 14:17 per game, playing with players in the bottom 6. There's no surefire way to develop a prospect into the NHL, but the Rangers strategy has definitely not helped his chances at all.