Report: Rangers taking calls on Kakko

New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury is listening to trade offers for forward Kaapo Kakko, sources told TSN's Darren Dreger.

Kakko, who will turn 23 in February, was the second overall pick in 2019. He's in the final season of a two-year, $4.2-million contract before hitting restricted free agency this summer.

The Finnish winger has managed six points in 28 games this season while averaging 13:27 per contest. Kakko set career highs in goals (18), points (40), and shots on goal (125) in 2022-23.

The Rangers sit first in the Metropolitan Division and are expected to be buyers ahead of this year's trade deadline. New York has approximately $5.2 million in flexibility, according to CapFriendly, and center appears to be an area of need for the team after Filip Chytil was recently ruled out for the rest of the season.

Drury has made big swings at recent deadlines. He acquired Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko in 2023 and moved several picks in 2022 to land Andrew Copp and Frank Vatrano.

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