Rangers continue listening to offers for former 1st rounder

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Ryan Hall
February 13, 2024 (5:25 PM)

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With the trade deadline fast approaching and the news breaking that the New York Rangers are preparing to move Kaapo Kakko as an option rather than their first-round draft pick it has sweetened the pot for many teams.

Reports from The Fourth Period Show that the Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild are interested in Kaako as all three teams are in different positions with their builds.

As per usual, the Sabres will become a selling team this year as their aspirations to make the playoffs have faded once again.

The never-ending rebuilding Sabres would certainly benefit from a player of Kaako's talent Would give their top 6 a new look.

The Sabres hold strong draft capital as they hold 9 draft picks through 4 rounds in the next two years along with the deep pipeline of talent that could be used to help bolster the Rangers in the short term and in the long term.

Sending Kaako to the Anaheim Ducks would be a prudent move by general manager Chris Drury for a couple of reasons.

If Kaako heats up with the Ducks and the Rangers get a fair return for him, the Rangers would not see him unless they play in the Stanley Cup finals.

Moving him to the Ducks also would help his development as the pressures of New York City would not be on his shoulders and he would give the Ducks another offensive boost that they sorely lack.

The Minnesota Wild are another team that is struggling this year as many thought they would be a playoff team.

With players like Krill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Ryan Hartman, adding Kaako would bolster their power play and give their top 6 more offence while making them younger.

Dangling Kaako to these teams and others will certainly entice many to inquire and there's a strong possibility that Drury can make a deal prior to March 8th.