Transaction between the Canadiens and the Rangers involving a forward: some news
Kent Hughes has not succeeded in improving the Canadiens' offense this summer so far, and unless he makes a significant acquisition, their only reinforcement will be Kirby Dach's return.
Without downplaying Dach's return, it will take more for the team to improve offensively, and Hughes is well aware of this. Maintaining the status quo is not an option.
The GM now has the opportunity to add reinforcement in the form of an enigmatic forward, namely
Kaapo Kakko.
The Finn signed a one-year, $2.4 million deal with the Rangers in recent weeks, but he is clearly no longer in the team's plans. It seems more like a prelude to a trade rather than giving him one last chance. According to the NY Post, he might still be on the market.
Kent Hughes could bring in the former protégé of Jeff Gorton, who drafted him second overall in 2019. With only 19 points in 61 games last season, Kakko clearly needs a fresh start.
Reuniting with the GM who drafted him and showed confidence in him could completely change Kakko's trajectory.
I'm not saying he should be Kent Hughes' top priority, but with the free-agent market largely exhausted and negotiations stalling for players like
Trevor Zegras,
Martin Necas, and
Rutger McGroarty, Hughes might consider turning to a young player with high potential and taking a calculated risk.
| POLL |
JUILLET 13 | 297 ANSWERS Transaction between the Canadiens and the Rangers involving a forward: some news Do you think Kent Hughes should acquire Kaapo Kakko if the price is right? |
| Yes | 217 | 73.1 % |
| No | 80 | 26.9 % |
| List of polls |