The New York Rangers won the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy as the best regular-season team but fell short of winning the Stanley Cup Final. Despite making it to the conference finals, where they were defeated by the Florida Panthers, the Rangers appear to need another key player to reach the top.
In a mailbag published on June 17, The Athletic’s Peter Baugh discussed a trade idea submitted by reader Jeff F. that could help the Rangers acquire that final star from the Ottawa Senators.
“K’Andre Miller and Kaapo Kakko for Brady Tkachuk and a pick: who says no?” Jeff F. proposed, reasoning that the salaries involved are nearly equal. He believes this trade would solidify the Rangers’ right wing and address other roster issues. The suggestion involves moving Zac Jones into Miller’s spot alongside Braden Schneider and pairing Jacob Trouba with a low-cost free agent.
However, Baugh pointed out that Ottawa would likely reject this offer immediately, as it undervalues Tkachuk, who has consistently scored 30+ goals in each of the past three seasons and is on a long-term contract.
Part 1 of mailbag answers, plus some rumblings I’m hearing on the #nyr and the wing market https://t.co/w5oCV8LJos
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) June 17, 2024
First Hurdle: Senators Are Not Shopping Brady Tkachuk
The Senators drafted Tkachuk with the No. 4 pick in 2018, and he has been a key player for the team ever since. In the 2024 season, he scored a career-high 37 goals and added 37 assists for 74 points in 81 games. Over his career, he has tallied 162 goals and 349 points in 440 games.
Senators’ General Manager and President of Hockey Operations, Steve Staios, has repeatedly denied any rumors of trading Tkachuk, emphasizing that the team is being built around him due to his leadership and unique skill set.
Brady Tkachuk scores his second career hat-trick, and first since 2021!! #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/QCYQKhH3Vw
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) February 14, 2024
Second Hurdle: Kappo Kakko Just Signed A Contract Extension
Kaapo Kakko, drafted by the Rangers with the No. 2 pick in 2019, has shown inconsistent performance. After completing his entry-level deal, the Rangers unexpectedly re-signed him to a one-year, $2.4 million contract. Kakko scored 13 goals and 6 assists in 61 regular-season games in 2024 but had a disappointing playoff performance with only 1 goal and 1 assist in 15 games.
The sens have something cooking right now. Rumor Boys hearing that Ottawa would maybe move Brady Tkachuk. Can’t believe it though because no one could be that dumb. 9 points out of playoffs with 2 games in hand https://t.co/EF5FdrXzT0
— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) February 25, 2024
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette even made Kakko a healthy scratch in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite his potential, Kakko’s inconsistency makes him a less appealing trade piece.
Is There Any Way This Rangers-Senators Trade Could Work?
Currently, the proposed trade seems unlikely. Baugh emphasized that the Senators have no interest in trading Tkachuk, who is under contract for four more years. Even if Ottawa were to consider trading Tkachuk, the package required would be much more substantial than Miller and Kakko.
#NYR have agreed to terms with Kaapo Kakko. Details: https://t.co/ArI3j7kwBC pic.twitter.com/eEXCECOqiG
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 13, 2024
Miller is a promising young defenseman who has shown his capability in the NHL, but to land Tkachuk, the Rangers would need to offer a significantly better trade package. An alternative trade idea suggests swapping Artemi Panarin for Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs if the Rangers are determined to acquire a star forward.