Why is Boucher the main piece in a Kakko trade? There was a team in the top half of the first round other than the Senators who were rumored to be super high on Boucher at the 2021 draft. It is part of the reason that the Senators did not trade back. Multiple people have speculated that based on the kind of players the new management of the Rangers was bringing in, that they were the team who were high on him.

Kakko was a blue chip prospect, who at times has shown potential to be a star. After three underwhelming seasons where he played at a 31 point pace, the Rangers made a statement by scratching him in what would have been the most important game of his career. With his ELC over, and clearly their being no real fit in New York, there is lots of speculation about whether he would be available in a trade.

It is very difficult to pin point what teams would offer for Kakko. There aren't many comparable situations. Nolan Patrick, who might be the only example of a more disappointing 2nd overall pick than Kakko was swapped for Cody Glass. It is entirely possible that a team might still be very high on Kakko, and give the Rangers a 1st round pick. It is also possible that teams won't offer up very much. We've seen other players who were picked high (although not as high as Kakko) like Lias Andersson only attract a late 2nd rounder at a similar point in their development.

Let's break down this package. We already discussed Boucher. We'll assume in the context of this trade, the Rangers management loves him and would have used their pick on him last year had the Senators not taken him 10th. The 39th pick is a decent asset that might get the Rangers a player they have ranked in the first round. The Rangers do not have their 1st or 3rd round picks in this draft, so it might be desirable to get a draft pick. Then as far as Brannstrom goes, I doubt the Rangers want him that much, but he verges on throw in territory. He is maybe worth a 3rd round pick, but he is 2 years removed from being seen as a top prospect in the league, so from an optics POV having his name in the trade would allow the Rangers to present the package to their fan base as being bigger than it is. He can be used in a sheltered role at ES and as a Powerplay specialist. They can likely sign him to a 1-2 year extension for very little money as he is not arbitration eligible. The Senators have been shopping him all year, without much success.

Why do the Senators do this? Because Kaapo Kakko still is a high end talent worth gambling on. Similar to Brannstrom, he will likely sign a 2 year extension since he doesn't have arbitration rights. It's a swing for the fences type pickup that could give the Senators a star forward for not very much. Still, the Senators are very high on Boucher internally, so you have to understand that in this context, they will feel they are giving up a big piece to get Kakko.

I fully understand Rangers fans will think this trade is kakka.

Yeeeah, I highly doubt the Rags are into that.

I understand the thought process in this trade but I feel like rangers are too deep into the win now mindset and wouldnt be that interested in prospects.

@budgeteam

I think that the most likely way that Kakko gets to Ottawa is in a trade for a half retained Connor Brown especially if this is in the offseason.

So like:

TO OTT
Kakko
Kravtsov

TO NYR

C. Brown.

That don't sound bad to me tbh. I personally just don't know how good Kakko really is and if he's got 2nd line potential, bc that's what we kinda need. We don't need to acquire anymore 3rd line talent even if we send off Brown

Brown isn't worth both those guys. Assuming the Rangers value Boucher like a top 15 pick, Brown has a lot less value than the package I proposed. Brown is probably worth a 2nd and another small asset.

Take the 2nd and Brannstrom out, and make it Brown+Boucher, sure.

For some reason, lots of Senators fans seem to think Brown is worth a 1st++, when all comparable trades show he is not. He's a very solid top 9 matchup winger on most NHL teams.

Brown half retained one the open market would command a 1st + something else pretty notable given his ELITE penalty killing and two way play.

Also, why would we trade the 10th overall pick from the following year. The Sens drafted him and they'll stick with him.

Also, Kravtsov doesn't hold much value in the league anymore after showing some bad character and not having great development. He probably ends up a middle six forward and Kakko may not even be anything but does look like he has a lot of skill.

You also have to consider though that Kakko would be a prime offersheet candidate for 4m which is a second. And the New general manager doesn't seem to have a handle on the art of trades yet. I think it's fair.

Brown’s value and the Domi trade deadline deal are on par with each other in value. Domi had 11 goals 28 assists. Brown had 10 goals 29 assists not including playoffs which is both 39 points.

I disagree with this. Domi went for very little because he is a liability on the ice in spite of what he scores.

Brown is a very good defensive forward/matchup guy who can chip in some secondary scoring. Even if you want to throw out his stats on the Sens because they were rebuilding most of the time, he averaged 15/30 on a playoff team in Toronto.

He's worth a 2nd rounder at least.

Moot point, since the Senators would not retain half. They don't do business that way. Their salary (not cap) space is too previous to use it to gain draft picks. Show me a deal where a top 9 matchup guy gets a 1st as a rental or one year rental. The only player to get a 1st without conditions at the deadline was Giroux. He is a 1st line forward. Connor Brown is made into a mythical figure around here in terms of trade value.

The offer sheet point is the reason Kakko might be available at all. It doesn't mean teams are going to get him for nothing. The only way that would happen is if no one wants him. Losing him for a 2nd to an offer sheet is a better deal for the Rangers than having to package Kratsov with him for Brown.