Seattle is acquiring forward Kaapo Kakko from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen, the Kraken announced Wednesday. New York will also be receiving a 2025 3rd-round and a 2025 6th-round pick in the trade.
“Kaapo is a young dynamic forward who brings skill and offense to our club,” general manager Ron Francis said via press release. “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 second overall selection by the Rangers in 2019, Kakko is in the midst of his sixth season in the NHL. Over 330 games, he’s accumulated 131 points and sits at +13. The 23-year-old made headlines recently when Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette benched him during the regular season for the first time in his career. Kakko said the move “surprised him,” although it comes during a 3-7-0 stretch for New York, sitting sixth in the Metro division.
Borgen spent his first season in Seattle as a depth defenseman after being selected from the Buffalo Sabres in the expansion draft, growing into a solid second and third pair defenseman later in his tenure. The 27-year-old has 55 points in 247 career games spanning six seasons.
Seattle acquires Kakko on a one-year, $2.4 million deal. Borgen is in the second of a two-year, $2.7 million contract, set to become a UFA this summer.
With this trade, the Kraken hold onto six picks in the upcoming NHL Draft.