The Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to land Kaapo Kakko considering the Seattle Kraken want to move on, and could be the perfect reclamation project.
Nick Kypreos believes that Kaapo Kakko could be dealt away despite being only 25 years old, and if the Seattle Kraken don't have them in their plans then the Maple Leafs need to find a way to bring him aboard and give the former 2nd overall pick a chance to win.
Kakko, 25, had a solid season with the Kraken as he registered 40 points in 65 games though isn't hitting the same level of production that his hype around being a 2nd overall pick would suggest. Already traded once from the Rangers, he could very well be dealt again as Seattle needs to sign some big deals.
Seattle has to deal with several big name players who need new deals such as Bobby McMann, Jared McCann, Eeli Tolvanen and Jaden Schwartz all need contracts heading into 2026-27 and while they have some money to work with, those contracts won't come cheap.
Seattle may not be able to afford Kaapo Kakko and may want to move on according to Nick Kypreos
It's exactly why Nick Kypreos believes that Kakko could be headed towards his third team already in his young career, and he could be viewed as a reclamation project and someone a team could look to essentially bring back to form:
The second-overall pick in 2019, Kaapo Kakko still hasn't managed a 20-goal season and his career high in points is 44. Now, as the Kraken look for ways to improve their roster, Kakko is very much a trade candidate, already staring down the possibility of joining his third team at just 25 years old.
Is there anyone willing to take a shot on him as a reclamation project with two years remaining on his contract with a $4.525 million AAV?
Look, it's unfortunate that Kakko hasn't really made a huge push towards being an NHL star especially given his hype, but we've seen this in the past with names like Alexandre Daigle. Sometimes, things don't work out, but it doesn't underscore how good Kakko can be.
As part of TPS in the SM-Liiga, Kakko was a stud as a teen and put up 38 points in his first full season and also put in a solid performance internationally. He's a very skilled player who has size advantage at 6-foot-2, 216 pounds and uses all of it to win puck battles against opponents.
The problem was he was with a Rangers team who never really utilized him, and was traded for a 3rd-round pick and some prospects. If the Kraken feels he's not going to be used, they may ask for the same package.
Toronto has the assets to acquire Kakko and give him the spot he needs to succeed
If Seattle really thinks that Kakko isn't a part of the future then the Maple Leafs need to make sure they are first in line. Kakko has a ton of talent and needs a bit of faith in him, so giving him a top-six role is perfect to give him confidence and help Toronto's lineup.
While he isn't exactly the right-handed blueliner that Auston Matthews and William Nylander asked for, he does fill that two-way top-six need they also inquired about, and at only 25 he's got his prime years ahead of him yet.
Seattle could easily take Toronto's 59th overall pick alongside a couple of prospects like Chas Sharpe and potentially Jacob Quillan in order to get it done. Toronto already has Luke Haymes and Bo Groulx to fill in for Quillan at the NHL level, and you're getting a former 2nd overall pick for barely anything.
John Chayka has to at least poke around regarding Kakko because he offers a very cheap option to help the top-six and he actually provides some pretty solid defensive numbers at least early on; giving him the chance could rekindle his two-way game again.
Kakko could be a perfect addition to the second line alongside William Nylander and having the ability to actually play with some superstars could elevate Kakko knowing he needs to pull his weight on the team.
So while there's a good chance that Seattle holds onto Kaapo Kakko, the Maple Leafs have to pry him away because his potential is too good to pass up and Toronto offers a great place to find his game once again.
Should the Maple Leafs make a play for Kaapo Kakko this summer?
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