Consider this a Seattle Kraken fan Consumer Protection Alert.
The explosion of independent online hockey sites get starved for stories during the months of May-August. What to do? The content monster must be fed on the regular, no matter how barren the news cycle.
That’s why fans are served so many nutrition-free pixels in the form of tissue-thin trade rumors. Here’s one involving Seattle: “The Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to land Kaapo Kakko (above image) considering the Seattle Kraken want to move on, and could be the perfect reclamation project.”
The clickbait headline goes further, calling Kakko, “A former second overall pick that two teams have now given up on.”
Say what? “Nick Kypreos believes that Kaapo Kakko could be dealt away,” adds HockeyPatrol.com.
Kraken Haven’t ‘Given Up’ On Finnish Winger
See, this is often how it starts. A respected analyst like Sportsnet’s Kypreos puts out a bit of speculation (which we’ll get to in a moment). All of a sudden, it’s like chum in the water, with desperate online sharks circling for fodder they can use. Notice how the site we’ve referenced backtracked in the same story from “given up on” to “could be dealt away?”
Here’s what Kypreos actually wrote. “Kaapo Kakko is very much a trade candidate, already staring down the possibility of joining his third team at just 25 years old. Is there anyone willing to take a shot on him as a reclamation project with two years remaining on his contract with a $4.525 million AAV?”
Kypreos, a former NHL player now writing and podcasting for one of Canada’s premier sports media companies, should be considered well-connected. But even his comments sound like thinking out loud about a team open to making major changes, where just about anyone on the roster could go for the right price.
Equine salt licks are available from local tack shops. If you peruse offseason hockey trade rumor stories, it’s worth keeping one on hand – because taking those rumors with merely a grain of salt won’t do.
You Can’t Say ‘Trade Suggestion’ Without ‘Shane Wright’
Speculation about Kakko was part of Kypreos’ most recent “Trade Board” column. Kraken forward Shane Wright also received a mention. There’s no denying the Wright-Kraken marriage has been rocky.
“Some teams will still see an attainable young player with upside. Would one of them move a veteran scorer for him?”
Kypreos provided an example of such a veteran-for-youngster swap. “Back in 2018, when Vegas traded prospect Nick Suzuki for Max Pacioretty, it sent away the 13th-overall pick who hadn’t yet played an NHL game for an established veteran scorer. The Golden Knights maybe didn’t see Suzuki becoming the player he has, but were able to get a type of player they needed. That could be a blueprint for the Kraken.”
Could happen, though Vegas was much closer to contending then than the Kraken are now. In general terms, few would suggest Seattle’s blueprint should involve getting older.
Earlier Kraken:
— Glenn’s Gems; Kraken Forward Working Toward Healthier 2026-’27
