Insider links Vancouver Canucks to former second-overall pick

In his recent Trade Watch article, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period linked 2019 second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko to the Vancouver Canucks, as well as the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Minnesota Wild.

Late last week, the Rangers re-signed the pending restricted free agent forward to a one-year contract worth $2.4 million. However, it appears that they still may look to move him over the summer as Rangers General Manager Chris Drury tries to find ways to improve his roster. Using Kaapo Kakko as trade bait could help the Rangers fetch a big piece to help with their 2024-25 roster as they look to make it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2014, where they lost to the Los Angeles Kings.

Kakko, a native of Turku, Finland saw a sizeable dip in his production during the 2023-24 campaign when compared to 2022-23, where he had 40 points in 82 games. In 61 games this season, the 23-year-old recorded 19 points (13 goals, six assists), 24 penalty minutes and was a plus-six. He went on to add two points (one goal, one assist) in 15 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Canucks could be an ideal landing spot for Kaapo Kakko as they need depth on the wing, but it would all depend on the cost to acquire him. Given the Rangers are in a contending window, they'll want a piece that can help them right now and there aren't many players like that on the Canucks that General Manager Patrik Allvin is willing to part with.

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Source: The Fourth Period
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