The Rangers seem willing to hold off on a Kaapo Kakko trade until they get what they want.
The New York Rangers are in no rush to trade Kaapo Kakko.
Despite multiple rumors swirling around regarding the Rangers trading Kakko, USA Today reporter Vincent Mercogliano shed some light on how the team is handling Kakko’s future.
“Even more ice time could be available if Kakko is ultimately traded, but one source indicated the Blueshirts weren't thrilled with the offers that came in around the draft,” Mercogliano wrote. “Teams were trying to buy low on the former No. 2 overall pick, with Drury rightly holding off unless someone ups the ante.”
Chris Drury is right to hold off on a trade if they aren’t getting legitimate offers for the 2019 second overall pick.
Kakko is under contract with New York for one more season with an affordable $2.4 million cap hit, so the Rangers are essentially in a win-win situation.
Either they wait and potentially receive a trade package that makes sense for the them to go through with, or the Rangers give Kakko one last chance to try and prove he can be a reliable player for the team down the road.
If the Rangers were to even trade Kakko, Drury is reportedly looking for an NHL-caliber player according to Mercogliano.
This past season, the 23-year-old recorded 13 goals, six assists and 19 points in 61 games.
