Kaapo Kakko has his first goal in a Kraken jersey 🦑 pic.twitter.com/tvUReXeb2D — B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 23, 2024 Producer-director-Kraken beat writer Glenn Dreyfuss immediately appreciated what Cup-hungry New Yorkers never could grasp.

It is a tale that is as old as time. A team drafts a young player high in the draft and does not play him in the position he was meant to play. That was

The Seattle Kraken acquired Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers last week. The trade ended a roller-coaster Broadway stint for the 2019 second-overall pick. Defenseman Will Borgen and two draft picks went back to New York in the deal.

The Kraken made a hopeful trade, trusting they can help Kaapo Kakko rediscover the promise that made the Rangers take him No. 2 overall.

Kaapo Kakko is hoping for “a fresh start” with the Seattle Kraken after five-plus inconsistent and, at times, tumultuous seasons with the New York Rangers. The Kraken acquired Kakko, the 23-year-old forward in his sixth NHL season, from the Rangers on Wednesday for defenseman Will Borgen, and a third- and sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The Rangers traded Kakko to the Kraken on Wednesday night, the teams announced. In return, New York received defenseman Will Borgen, a 2025 third-round pick, and a 2025 sixth-round pick. The Rangers' press release following the transaction does not mention any conditions on these draft picks.

In need of an additional offensive spark, the Kraken are taking a big swing at a former No. 2 overall pick who had fallen out of favor in New York.

Seattle has been playing without captain Jordan Eberle since he had surgery on his pelvis last month, and Kakko could help make up for his absence.

Kaapo Kakko scored his first goal as a member of the Seattle Kraken on Sunday. Kaapo Kakko has his first goal with the @SeattleKraken ‼️ 📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/Y5mcFIUds1