The 2019 NHL Draft continues to look like one of the most forgettable in recent memory.
On Wednesday night, the New York Rangers dealt right winger Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken for defenseman Will Borgen, a 2025 third- and 2025 sixth-rounder.
Per The Athletic’s Peter Baugh, after the Kakko trade, eight of the top-19 picks in the 2019 draft are no longer with the team that selected them. That includes three of the top-four picks (Kakko, Montreal Canadiens center Kirby Dach and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram).
The Rangers took Kakko with the No. 2 overall pick in 2019, which seemed like a decent choice. NHL Central Scouting rated the Finn as its No. 1 international skater shortly before the draft.
Although he was a highly touted prospect, his lack of elite skating skills raised concerns.
“Kakko’s main issue was his skating,” wrote The Athletic’s Corey Pronman in May when reevaluating the draft class. “He was at the time considered a below-average skater by NHL standards, but the hope was he had so much offensive talent and high compete that his feet wouldn’t hold him back.”
That didn’t happen. In six seasons with New York, Kakko never scored more than 20 goals and made no All-Star Games. In 30 games with the Rangers this season, he recorded just four goals and 14 points.
The Rangers’ dysfunction likely hampered his development. Kakko has played for three head coaches: David Quinn, Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette. All three scratched him during their tenures.
Laviolette made him a healthy scratch Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, which upset the 23-year-old.
“I was surprised,” Kakko said, per Baugh. “I know you’ve got to do something as the coach when you’re losing games, but it’s easy to pick the young guy and put him out. That’s how I feel.”
While he needed a change of scenery, Kakko may not fare better in Seattle. The Kraken have only made the playoffs once since their inception in 2021.
Plus, like many players in his draft class, Kakko has yet to prove he has what it takes to be a star.
