With Kaapa Kakko being a healthy scratch in game six of the Eastern Conference finals, NHL trade rumors are swirling that Kakko could receive an offer sheet this summer.
Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet Radio 590’s The Jeff Marek Show and stated, “He has no doubt teams will call the New York Rangers about Kakko after being a healthy scratch in game six, will be interesting to see what happens there, do the Rangers still believe in him?”
Marek went on to say, “He could be an offer-sheet target this summer? Would the Carolina Hurricanes produce another offer sheet?”
Kakko is a pending restricted free agent, and if he feels he is no longer wanted in New York, he could listen to suitors once free agent frenzy opens on July 13, 2022.
If Kakko does decide to listen to offers and receives an offer sheet in the range of $4.2 million to $6.3 million, the Rangers will likely not match the offer as they have Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller due new contract next year.
The Rangers are screwed with the salary cap next year with Laff and Miller due new contracts. Either the Rangers trade him this offseason or he will get an offer sheet.