Titans head coach Brian Callahan defends team in epic rant

The Tennessee Titans might be 3-11 this season, but you might want to think twice before you question their effort level.

The New York Rangers‘ roster renovation continued Wednesday.

Forward Kaapo Kakko was dealt to the Seattle Kraken for defenceman Will Borgen along with third- and sixth-round picks in the 2025 draft, the teams announced.

Kakko, 23, was the second overall pick in 2019 and has spent every season since with the Rangers.

In 330 career games, the Finnish forward has racked up 61 goals and 70 assists. He has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 30 contests this season.

His tenure with the team, considered disappointing by some given his pedigree, came to a head Sunday when he was made a healthy scratch by head coach Peter Laviolette.

Kakko expressed his displeasure with the move, calling it “easy to take the young guy and put him out.” Now, he’s off to Seattle.

It was not clear if his comments had anything to do with the timing of the trade, given general manager Chris Drury’s desire for several weeks to shake up his roster.

“Kaapo is a young dynamic forward who brings skill and offence to our club,” Kraken GM Ron Francis said in a statement. “We’re excited to have him join us.”

Kakko is the second big name to leave the Rangers by trade this month after former captain Jacob Trouba was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks.

The Rangers sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 15-15-1 record. They’ve lost 11 of their past 14 games, including five of seven since trading Trouba to Anaheim.

Borgen has played in Seattle for the Kraken’s entire existence. In 33 games this season, the 27-year-old from Moorhead, Minn., has one goal and one assist.

His acquisition gives New York a right-shot defenceman with 261 games of NHL regular-season and playoff experience to replace Trouba.

“(I) want to thank Will for everything he’s done for our franchise,” Francis said. “As an original member of the Kraken, we wish him all the best in New York.”

After making the move, the Rangers sent defenceman Victor Mancini to Hartford of the American Hockey League and recalled forward Matt Rempe, who has spent a bulk of the season so far in the minors.

–with files from The Associated Press