After yet another frustrating playoff elimination, the Toronto Maple Leafs are facing perhaps their most important offseason of the Auston Matthews era.
The first big change was the firing of Sheldon Keefe, who had spent the previous five years as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was replaced with Craig Berube, who coached the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup championship in 2019.
It’s evident that the “core four” must be broken up, too. Auston Matthews and William Nylander are going nowhere after signing long-term extensions, but GM Brad Treliving has to trade one of Mitch Marner or captain John Tavares.
But dealing one of his top four forwards can’t be the only trade activity for the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason. Ideally, Treliving will find another top-six forward to play with Matthews, especially if Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi depart in free agency.
Enter the New York Rangers, who have the ideal trade target for Toronto in Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 selection in the 2019 NHL Draft.
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The 23-year-old has just 57 goals and 117 points over his first five NHL seasons (300 games). His best year came in 2022-23, when Kakko tallied 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games.
Kakko signed a one-year extension worth $2.4 million two weeks ago, but he would benefit from a change of scenery. The Rangers have had three coaches (David Quinn, Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette) who tried unlocking his potential to no avail.
But put Kakko on a line centered by the league’s best goal-scorer in Matthews, and the former second overall pick just might finally put it all together.
What Maple Leafs Should Offer Rangers For Kaapo Kakko
The Toronto Maple Leafs should offer the Rangers their 2025 first-round pick in exchange for Kaapo Kakko. Considering he’s a recent and former No. 2 selection and only 23 years of age, it’s a fair price for a highly talented youngster who has yet to put it together.
It’s a risk worth taking if you’re the Leafs. If Kakko hits his ceiling, then Toronto will have a new long-term linemate for Matthews.
