Anaheim Ducks forward Frank Vatrano has been the subject of trade speculation, with one proposal suggesting that the New York Rangers could reacquire the All-Star forward.
Vatrano is set to enter the final year of his three-year, $10.95 million contract with the Ducks. He was linked to the Rangers at last year’s trade deadline, but no deal materialized. As the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, rumors are resurfacing about a potential trade involving Vatrano.
The website PuckPedia has introduced a new feature called PuckGM, which allows users to create their own trade scenarios. One such proposal involves the Rangers acquiring Vatrano.
Rangers get:
Frank Vatrano
Ducks get:
Kaapo Kakko
2026 third-round pick
In the proposed trade, the Rangers would acquire Frank Vatrano in exchange for Kaapo Kakko, a former second-overall pick who has not yet met expectations, along with a third-round pick.
New York previously obtained Vatrano from the Florida Panthers on March 16, 2022, for a fourth-round pick. During his time with the Rangers, Vatrano tallied 8 goals and 5 assists for 13 points in 22 regular-season games and added 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points in 20 playoff games.
Following his tenure with the Rangers, Vatrano signed a three-year contract with the Ducks and was named an All-Star for the 2023-24 NHL season.
Bringing Vatrano back would provide additional scoring on the right wing, complementing Alexis Lafreniere and Reilly Smith.
In contrast, Kakko, drafted second overall in 2019, has struggled to establish consistency in the NHL. He signed a one-year, $2.4 million extension with the Rangers this offseason and could potentially take over the second-line right wing position currently held by Vatrano.
New York Had Interest in Vatrano at The Deadline
At the 2024 NHL trade deadline, the Rangers showed interest in Frank Vatrano, and according to ESPN’s Amy Kaplan, New York and Anaheim explored a potential trade.
In her March 7 column, Kaplan reported that the Ducks proposed a multi-player deal involving Vatrano and Kakko. She wrote, “I’ve heard the Ducks offered the Rangers a package deal a few weeks ago that included Henrique and Vatrano for Kakko and a first-round pick. The Rangers evidently found that offer too steep.”
In the current trade proposal, the Rangers would not need to give up a first-round pick, making the deal more appealing and potentially facilitating Vatrano’s return to New York.
Rangers Haven’t Been Thrilled With Trade Offers For Kakko
Although the Rangers signed Kakko to a one-year contract extension in June, the former second-overall pick could still be traded.
Instead, Kakko remained available for trade, but USA Today reporter Vincent Mercogliano reports that the Rangers have been disappointed with the trade offers they have received.
“Even more ice time could be available if Kakko is ultimately traded, but one source indicated the Blueshirts weren’t thrilled with the offers that came in around the draft,” he wrote. “Teams were trying to buy low on the former No. 2 overall pick, with Drury rightly holding off unless someone ups the ante.”
Kakko has played in 300 NHL games, scoring 57 goals and 60 assists for 117 points.
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