Kraken trade Will Borgen to Rangers for Kaapo Kakko

Well, that didn’t take long. Just a day after discussing the possibility of Will Borgen being moved after the roster freeze, the Seattle Kraken opted to trade him ahead of that time. Here’s a look at the deal:

The most immediate change for the Kraken is no longer having Will Borgen on the ice. While it’s disappointing to lose a valued locker-room presence, his performance this season has struggled to align with Dan Bylsma’s system. The move gives Borgen a fresh opportunity to find his footing in New York.

As for Kaapo Kakko, the Kraken are acquiring a former second-overall pick from the 2019 NHL Draft. Kakko has yet to fully deliver on his potential. Since debuting in the NHL as an 18-year-old, he’s accumulated 61 goals and 70 assists over six seasons. His best year came in 2022-23, with career highs of 18 goals and 22 assists, but his production and ice time have declined over the past two seasons.

This is a low-risk, high-reward move for Seattle. Kakko, now 23, has shown flashes of promise, tallying 14 points this season while averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time per game. If the Kraken can carve out a consistent role for him, it could give their offense the boost it desperately needs.

Where does Kakko fit?

With Ryan Winterton recently reassigned to Coachella Valley, the simplest solution might be for Kakko to slot into the fourth line. However, it’s unlikely to be that straightforward. The Kraken are currently without Jordan Eberle for the foreseeable future, and Yanni Gourde has recently joined the injured list. Kakko’s initial minutes may be temporary until the roster is healthier.

Unlike Daniel Sprong, who has been used primarily as a healthy scratch this season, Kakko is expected to have a more stable role. His addition mirrors previous Kraken moves aimed at adding offensive depth, but his youth and upside differentiate him from Sprong.

A step toward a new era

This trade could signal the beginning of a larger Kraken overhaul. Players like Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde are in the final year of their contracts, and their cap hits make them unlikely long-term fits. Kakko’s arrival not only shakes things up but also adds youthful potential to the roster.

Overall, this is a savvy move by the Kraken. They acquire a young forward with NHL experience who hasn’t yet found a consistent role but has the potential to thrive in Seattle. Meanwhile, the departure of Borgen opens up opportunities for Josh Mahura, who has outplayed him this season.

The Kraken are still searching for their identity as a franchise. Early success came from having four balanced lines, but as those players required bigger contracts, the team struggled to replicate that style. With Dan Bylsma at the helm, Seattle has invested heavily in players like Matty Beniers, Brandon Montour, and Chandler Stephenson, signaling a shift toward a new direction.

This trade reflects that changing philosophy, and while it’s hard to say what the future holds, one thing is clear: the Kraken are betting on upside and building for a new era of hockey in Seattle.