"When the New York Rangers selected Kaapo Kakko with the 2nd pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, it was supposed to be a watershed moment in the Rangers rebuild. Kakko was expected to be a first line winger who would be a high scorer for years to come. Of course that didn't happen, but to the degree it didn't work out in New York was unexpected."
"In hindsight, this was a masterclass by Drury. While most, including myself, expected the Rangers to trade Kakko for a reclamation forward or some mediocre draft picks, Drury traded for Borgen and after a solid beginning to his Rangers career, re-signed the defenseman for five years at a manageable cap hit that will age pretty well as long as the cap ceiling continues to rise at the same rate as it did last year."
Kaapo Kakko was selected second overall in 2019 and was expected to be a first-line, high-scoring winger. Kakko failed to meet expectations in New York, receiving healthy scratches in the playoffs and making little impact. Kakko became the key piece in the trade that brought Will Borgen to the Rangers. Initial reactions judged the trade as low return, viewing Borgen as a defenseman on the outs and the draft picks as minor. Chris Drury's decision to acquire and then re-sign Borgen for five years at a manageable cap hit has proved wise in hindsight. Kakko started decently with the Kraken but not enough to create seller's remorse for the Rangers.
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