Or they trade for Johnson without moving goodrow or Kakko lol. The same people who say Kakko doesn’t look good are the same ones who said Laffy didn’t look good last year…look how Laffy is playing now

They don't have the cap space to acquire Johnson or add additional pieces without moving out cap. LOL Gaining the 2nd and moving out the cap allows more flexibility beyond Johnson. Goodrow is dead weight and Kakko is only good defensively as of now. Sure you can compare Laffy and KK and say the same will happen to KK but that's not objective obviously and is anyone's guess.

With Kakko's upside for his cap hit, I don't see how it's worth it. Sure clearing Goodrow's cap is nice but I don't see the Rangers cap situation as so desperate that they should trade their former 2OA pick to dump him, especially when he has a good buyout. I feel like you're under a misconception that this is the Rangers' only option to clear cap space, which is just not true especially with the cap going up adding flexibility. Drury knows if he keeps Kakko he can resign him for another value contract next season, sure his production leaves a lot to be desired but he's far from a useless player, he's still a valuable asset for the Rangers.

They’re on pace to accrue $2.5m by TDL. Johnson with double retention could fit and waive Pitlick, only if he’s the guy they want

Not really rocket science

Provided the Hawks retain on Johnson and they find a 2nd team sure. So the Rangers add Johnson and waive Pitlick but who's Johnson replacing in the lineup?

Kreider, Z, Panarin, Wheeler, AL, Trocheck are the top 6. 3rd line of Chytil, Cuylle, Johnson (all of which are better then KK right now). So KK plays 4th line?

Wheeler hasn’t been good. Kakko should be on top line but he’s the one that got demoted when Kreider and Mika haven’t been good either

Kreider Mika Kakko
Panarin Trocheck Laffy
Cuylle Chytil Johnson
4th line

Mika and Kreider are doing well IMO. Wheeler hasn't been great I agree. So move Wheeler to the 4th line? I think Johnson regardless of the trade here, is a good add for NY though.

I'm just looking at the Rangers going for a cup this year. Johnson is a bigger help than either KK or Goodrow are. Moving both players gains Johnson, cap flexibility and a 2nd rounder to make additive moves this year to go for a cup. Hawks have the patience to see if KK turns out or not into something bigger, Rangers are in go mode now. If they can replace KK and Goodrow with better players they should do it.

There are gonna be WAY better players than Johnson available at the TDL. Sure you can say he's a playoff performer, but that was when he was 5 years younger. Rangers went through this last year with Kane, they're not making the same mistake, and Johnson isn't even close to being in the same tier as Kane. If the right trade reveals itself for the Rangers to trade Kakko for a rental I wouldn't be opposed to taking it, but there's no way you actually believe that Tyler Johnson of all players is gonna be a game changer for the Rangers.

Johnson fills a role on the 3rd line that is needed and he's playing well still even if he's been on a tanking team; he's less then 3 years removed from playoff hockey not five. More importantly, he's not the only move for the Rangers to make is the point and the trade gives more cap flexibility for the Rangers to make an additional move plus a 2nd rounder to pawn off for a guy like Kane.

You're missing the point. If Kakko is gonna leave he's not leaving for someone you admit would be a 3rd liner, there would have to be a much bigger fish coming back.

Seth Jones and Barclay Goodrow are two of the worst contracts in the league. Continue to build through the draft Chicago fans! No major signing just to get a Nylander who won’t care about getting to the cup cuz the leafs are his best chance. BUILD THIS TEAM. DON’T TRADE FOR IT. I don’t care if Bedard is a god, this team still needs a Hossa,Toews,Keith,Sharp,Crawford. Also let’s not be blind and remember that a Hossa signing will probably not be repeated because it’s kind of the best signing in Chicago sports history. BUILD THIS TEAM