The Rangers' turnaround has hinged on two trades involving defensemen -- one that swapped Jacob Trouba for Urho Vaakanainen and another that brought in Will Borgen at the expense of Kaapo Kakko. Vaakanainen has largely taken over the third-pairing spot that belonged to Jones previously,

Kaapo Kakko ’s role has dramatically increased since the New York Rangers traded him to the Seattle Kraken. After serving a third-line role in New York while even getting scratched on a few occasions, Kakko is suddenly playing on the Kraken’s first line alongside Matty Beniers and Jaden Schwartz.

Kakko produced an assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Penguins. Kakko set up Matty Beniers' insurance tally in the third period. The 23-year-old Kakko had gone two games ...