Blackhawks' GM Kyle Davidson Should Acquire This Former 1st-Round Pick from the New York Rangers
The Chicago Blackhawks swung for the fences, and acquired Tyler Bertuzzi, he wasn't a fit with Connor Bedard, could the Rangers Kaapo Kakko be it?
The New York Rangers are open for business and have recently dealt former Captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.
With GM Chris Drury attempting to move salary cap space to prioritize RFA signings, there's been rumors surrounding Kaapo Kakko, and whether he's the next player to be moved.
Despite not being the issue in New York, he was a healthy scratch on Sunday's game against the St. Louis Blues.
He's been one of the best players on the Rangers' third-line this season. Kaako has played 29 games, scoring 14 points( 4 G, 10 A), and is a two-way forward, who excelled at play-making this season.
The Cuylle-Chytil-Kakko line has an XG% of 64 this season and dominates the ice whenever they're skating.
With the Rangers going through a slump, the former 2019 1st round pick could land in Chicago according to The Hockey News Michael DeRosa.
Kaako's career high in 2022-2023 was 18 goals and 40 points, and this season Peter Laviolette has placed him on the team's power-play.
He could be a versatile top-six forward for the Hawks, with offensive potential that Anders Sorensen could tap into.
The Sporting News Hannah Kirkell makes a great point about how the pairing of Connor Bedard and Kakko could be a match made in heaven.
Caveat emptor right? Well, given that the Blackhawks are in a rebuild the expectations for him to produce wouldn't be high to start.
While the Blackhawks would have to part ways with at most a 2nd or 3rd-round draft pick, a depth forward, like Craig Smith, could be moved for the 3rd-line winger.
