Not sure who is more likely in a trade, turcotte, or akil thomas, but those are guys I think the rangers should target. I'm fine with acquiring either, and it seems like each of those guys could use a change of scenery, but maybe I'm wrong, what is everyone else's opinion? Also not sure if this is the right trade comp at this point, because I'm not entirely sure the value each player has in a trade.

Also, the Turcotte trade would happen after chytil comes back with the intention to drop turcotte to the minors for the remainder of the year with the expectation he can make the big league club next year.

Kakko is worth more and we would not do this

I agree with you, but I feel like Kakko has been absent for the past two years. I get he shows up more in the playoffs, but we need more consistency in the regular season too. He just seems lost to me out there, and for most of the games was playing first line minutes. Even his goal against Dallas the other night was a lucky goal - got swiped in by the defender. I just feel like he's not going to work in NY, as much as I like him, he doesn't contribute a lot on the ice at the moment. What would you see as a realistic scenery change trade for Kakko?

Kakko is imo elite defensively and had 40 points last year. He's not going to live up to 2nd OA but he's still a very useful middle 6 guy

Don't think they should trade Kakko while relying on Kane to return to form (even if he does he could be injury-prone or face a setback sooner rather than later) unless they are able to a team that recognizes his defensive strength and has the hope that they can develop his offense. However, if they aren't recuperating a 1st + getting a young player with upside (someone in a similar situation as him) then it's not really worth it.

Absent??
Kakko's been in the NHL earning his chops the hard way. Where has Turcotte been?

FWIW...we know Kakko's floor- which is what he is right now. And lots of teams would deal with his lack of scoring to get his play along the boards, responsible defensive play, etc. Turcotte might become the better NHL player- but he also might not ever make an NHL roster.