The New York Rangers traded forward Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick.

The 23-year-old Kakko was drafted second overall by New York in 2019 and collected 61 goals and 131 points in 330 games for the Blueshirts.

However, it was another difficult season for Kakko, scoring just four goals and 14 points in 30 games. Kakko has been the subject of numerous trade rumors over the past two years, but was able to sign a one-year, $2.4 million contract as a restricted free agent last spring to remain with the Rangers.

The forward was recently healthy scratch in New York’s game against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, a move by coach Pete Laviolette that did not sit well with Kakko and showed how much he was struggling to establish a permanent position within the organization.

Kakko was also vocal about the decision, claiming that the coaching staff simply told him that he “had to do something” but that he would not look into it further.

“They will say it if they have something to say, but I’m not going there,” he told reporters.

As for the deal, Kakko is also again a pending RFA and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer, limiting GM Chris Drury’s options.

Drury has had Borgen in his sights for some time. He is a right guard that Seattle selected from Buffalo in the 2021 expansion draft and has developed into a top-four option on the back end.

Borgen is just a season away from posting a career-best 25 points mark with the Kraken, but playing under new head coach Dan Byslma hasn’t brought out the best in Borgen’s game. A move to New York could give him a boost.

Borgen is currently making $2.7 million in the final year of his contract before joining UFA this summer.