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Trade Grades: Kraken Acquire Kaapo Kakko
Trade Grades: Kraken Acquire Kaapo Kakko
Kaapo Kakko is finally on the move. The Seattle Kraken have acquired the former second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft in exchange for Will Brogen and two draft picks. Let’s have a quick chat about who actually won this deal and hand out some trade grades!
By the way, I usually like to do fantasy hockey follow ups to all of these trades. I will not bother when it comes to this one. If you own Kakko in fantasy, you’re a noob that isn’t paying attention. Sorry, not sorry.
Kraken: Grade B-
Before I begin, yes, I’m very much on record for calling Kakko a bust despite declaring the Kraken the winners of this deal. I don’t take that back. Considering he went one pick after Jack Hughes, the bust label is pretty fair here.
At the same time… I like this deal for Seattle. Well, I like it if they can get the guy re-signed for a reasonable number at the RFA process during the offseason. That part will be key to all of this.
Kakko, 23, still probably has his best hockey in front of him. The problem is his skillset is destined for a third line defensive minded role. He’s not a fast skater, not strong on pucks, and lacks offensive prowess. That said, his defensive metrics rank fairly high and his line hasn’t really been outscored while he’s been on the ice in New York.
The reason why Kraken fans probably shouldn’t have any reason to hate this deal is because they didn’t really give up much. The odds a third round pick comes back to haunt them seems slim. It’s not like Seattle has been irresponsible giving away picks. Will Borgen has also been a total disaster with the team. The Kraken really gave up nothing here for a possible long term fit along the third line.
Borgen’s numbers in Seattle have been brutal any way you slice it.
Kakko will never live up to his draft status but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a contributing piece in Seattle. Especially given there’s really no risk in making this type of move.
Rangers: Grade C
Kakko had no value. We understand all of that. The problem I have with this trade is the Chris Drury has poured gasoline all over his roster and now the players are tanking because of it. If he simply did nothing, the Rangers are in a much better spot. You can’t convince me Borgen is the new Jacob Trouba replacement. You can’t convince me these dinky draft picks Drury has collected will be what’s needed to bring in a big fish.
All Drury has done this season is tear pieces off the roster without actually bringing in reinforcements. Borgen is maybe a third pair guy at best. They probably could have got more for Kakko if they traded him two years ago. If things don’t change soon, Drury will be out of a job. Giving him a C for this mess feels generous.
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