A trade proposal has sparked discussions among New York Rangers fans, suggesting the team could acquire forward Andrew Copp from the Detroit Red Wings to strengthen their roster during their Stanley Cup pursuit. The trade pitch, created using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, proposes that the Rangers would send Kaapo Kakko, the former second-overall draft pick, along with a 2025 fifth-round pick to Detroit in exchange for Copp.
In this hypothetical deal, the Rangers would bring back Copp, who had previously played for them during the 2021-22 season after being acquired at the trade deadline. Copp contributed to the Rangers’ playoff run before signing a five-year, $28.13 million contract with the Red Wings. Entering the third year of this contract, Copp remains a gritty forward capable of playing as New York’s third-line center, adding much-needed depth and scoring to the bottom of their lineup. Last season, Copp recorded 13 goals and 20 assists over 79 games with Detroit.
For the Red Wings, this trade would represent a gamble on Kakko, who was selected second overall in the 2019 NHL Draft but has struggled to find consistent success in the NHL. Although Kakko has shown flashes of potential, his performance has been inconsistent, and he has often been the subject of trade rumors. At just 23 years old, a change of scenery might benefit Kakko, potentially allowing him to fulfill the promise he once showed as a top prospect.
Kakko’s frustrations with his role on the Rangers have been well-documented, particularly after he was a healthy scratch during both the regular season and playoffs last year. Despite his frustrations, he signed a one-year, $2.4 million extension with the Rangers in the offseason. However, Kakko’s dissatisfaction with his limited playing time could motivate him to seek a fresh start elsewhere. Last season, Kakko managed 13 goals and 6 assists in 61 games, and he contributed just 1 goal and 1 assist in 15 playoff games.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings are aiming to return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season. With a strong offseason that included adding veterans like Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Motte, and Cam Talbot, as well as re-signing Patrick Kane, Detroit hopes to build on their young core and compete for a playoff spot in the 2024-25 season. General Manager Steve Yzerman has expressed optimism, noting that with the right circumstances, the Red Wings could either secure a playoff berth or narrowly miss out in the final games of the season.
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