I May Be In The Minority . . . But I Believe That Kaapo Kakko Could Be Selected 1st Overall in 2019

[Puckluck]

The head European scout for NHL central scouting, Göran Stubb, thinks that Kakko is better than Hughes and that he could go first (link in Swedish):

Göran Stubb hyllar juniorerna som snart ska NHL-draftas: "Personligen tycker jag att Kakko är bättre än Hughes och just nu är Lundell klar etta i Europa"

 

[tfong]

Probably not a minority anymore.

 

[Blade Paradigm]

The head European scout for NHL central scouting, Göran Stubb, thinks that Kakko is better than Hughes and that he could go first (link in Swedish):

Göran Stubb hyllar juniorerna som snart ska NHL-draftas: "Personligen tycker jag att Kakko är bättre än Hughes och just nu är Lundell klar etta i Europa"

English translation via Google Translate:

Göran Stubb celebrates the juniors who will soon be NHL-draftees: "Personally, I think Kakko is better than Hughes and right now Lundell is ready one in Europe"
Published 07.01.2019 - 12:45.
Mattias Forsblom - Helsingfors

Göran Stubb, who evaluates NHL-potential junior players, pays homage to the job that the Finnish ice hockey association has done and which in recent years has generated great success at junior level. Our junior series is good and our league is much better than many journalists want to show, he says. Stubb believes that both Kaapo Kakko (2019) and Anton Lundell (2020) have the potential to become historic by going first in the NHL drafts.

...

- Playing a 17-year-old, say Anton Lundell or Kaapo Kakko, an entire season with and against men so they develop in a completely different way compared to junior matches. They get better just by playing against good resistance and in a good environment.

Prior to the tournament, the US Jack Hughes on many NHL draft lists were ranked as one and Finland's Kaapo Kakko as second.

Was the ranking affected by JVM, who has a head start before the 2019 draft?

- It is decided when the NHL draws which club will choose first in the draft. If it is a club that likes Europeans and has a European direction, Kakko can go first. Is it a club that likes North Americans, maybe the election falls on Hughes.

- Personally, I think Kakko is better but I saw Hughes play four games in Kravare (Czech Republic) in November and he was absolutely phenomenal.

How high can Lundell go in the summer of 2020?

- Right now Lundell is one of the best in Europe and maybe in the whole hockey world but at that age so very quickly can happen. Just look at Lukkobacken Heinola! He was a good back in Lukko's junior team in September. Now he is junior world champion. The development has gone nail up.

Stubb pays tribute to the hockey association, which after meager years in the early 2000s has succeeded in reversing the trend and now washing up young high rollers on a continuous line.

- This was a sign of how good the Finnish ice hockey association is schooling their young players and how good our system is. Our junior series is good and our league is much better than many journalists want to demonstrate. Three junior gold in six years is a fine achievement. The U18 national team has been in final four years in a row. It looks bright.

...

"Stubb believes that both Kaapo Kakko (2019) and Anton Lundell (2020) have the potential to become historic by going first in the NHL drafts." - Mattias Forsblom, Helsingfors, YLE, January 7, 2019

"It is decided when the NHL draws which club will choose first in the draft. If it is a club that likes Europeans and has a European direction, Kakko can go first. Is it a club that likes North Americans, maybe the election falls on Hughes.

Personally, I think Kakko is better but I saw Hughes play four games in Kravare (Czech Republic) in November and he was absolutely phenomenal." - Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting, January 7, 2019

 

[crassbonanza]

It feels like everyone who writes a blog or posts online believes they are in the minority in believing that Kakko is better than Hughes. I would argue that at this point Hughes is becoming severely underrated.

 

[foggyvisor]

Sorry if I'm not that impressed by a guy who has put up 1 assist in 6 games this year. He's not going to be close to an Austin Matthews who put over PPG in his year in Switzerland.

 

[d rake]

Sorry if I'm not that impressed by a guy who has put up 1 assist in 6 games this year. He's not going to be close to an Austin Matthews who put over PPG in his year in Switzerland.

Kakko had 1 assist in 6 games last season. This season he currently has 9 goals and 20 points in 27 games.

 

[foggyvisor]

Kakko had 1 assist in 6 games last season. This season he currently has 9 goals and 20 points in 27 games.

MEH

 

[Hokinaittii]

MEH

That's more goals and points than Patrik Laine had at the same age. Still meh?

 

[Noma]

Sorry if I'm not that impressed by a guy who has put up 1 assist in 6 games this year. He's not going to be close to an Austin Matthews who put over PPG in his year in Switzerland.

Jack Hughes has only one goal this season in the USHL. Does not sound like a 1st overall.

In other words: nitpicking on single stats isn't really fruitful.

 

[atreyuavenged]

I think it will be Kakko as well. Gotta keep that American market interested.

 

[FinnishSniper]

MEH

Lol You don’t even know the stats, yet you are commenting

 

[kelsier]

I had been waiting for this competition for such a long time just from the perspective of heads on competition between Kakko and Hughes. There's no question Kakko coming out on top of, not only by looking at the entire tournament but also the finals where they finally faced one another. If the scouts are banking on Hughes seriously being hindered by the earlier injury that could still justify keeping him nr1, but that's pretty much the only thing going for him as far as the WJCs are concerned. The nationality will play a part no doubt in the actual draft due to huge NA'n markets but will it be enough to keep Kakko behind? I'm really not so sure anymore. The WJC might had been the last time we saw the two of them at the same place this year. There's a decent chance Kakko not partaking at the U18s but instead plays in the men's World Championships instead.

 

[DoubleGold]

MEH

Your typical argument for Hughes to be selected first overall. A disinterested "meh". Lol!

 

[FinlandPanther]

It feels like everyone who writes a blog or posts online believes they are in the minority in believing that Kakko is better than Hughes. I would argue that at this point Hughes is becoming severely underrated.

Because a Finn could possibly challenge this great human? Sounds overrated

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

This is the one year where I just don't know who it's going to be. Mine would be Cozens, but Dach has too been looking amazing.

2011 is the last draft where I also didn't know who the first pick would be, but it was somewhat obvious RNH was going first overall.

 

[crassbonanza]

Because a Finn could possibly challenge this great human? Sounds overrated

No, I fully believe that Kakko very likely could go first overall. My point isn't about who is better, it is about the fact that everyone is trying to be the smartest guy in the room by predicting against the preseason consensus 1st overall pick. Which is fine, but they all claim to be in the minority which they clearly are not. I also never said that Kakko was overrated, I mentioned that Hughes was being underrated by the people I mentioned above.

 

[ijuka]

No, I fully believe that Kakko very likely could go first overall. My point isn't about who is better, it is about the fact that everyone is trying to be the smartest guy in the room by predicting against the preseason consensus 1st overall pick. Which is fine, but they all claim to be in the minority which they clearly are not. I also never said that Kakko was overrated, I mentioned that Hughes was being underrated by the people I mentioned above.

People who have Kakko #1 clearly are in the minority.

 

[Hockeypete49]

Sorry if I'm not that impressed by a guy who has put up 1 assist in 6 games this year. He's not going to be close to an Austin Matthews who put over PPG in his year in Switzerland.

I to was not impressed by him. He is no generational talent in my opinion.

 

[crassbonanza]

People who have Kakko #1 clearly are in the minority.

Lose for Hughes or Cuckoo for Kakko? I mean, just read through this post and tell me you still feel that way.

 

[ijuka]

Lose for Hughes or Cuckoo for Kakko? I mean, just read through this post and tell me you still feel that way.

Ever heard of the concept "vocal minority"?

 

[Kiekura]

If Kakko was Canadian/American he would be considered as number 1 pick by so many others

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

And you should learn to analyze hockey better, .
Compared to his last season, Hughes has not made any progress

I might not have seen Hughes games, but ive seen all of his highlight videos

Sir, you made me do a spit take while lmao. I pray this is a parody of clueless hf posters

 

[crassbonanza]

Ever heard of the concept "vocal minority"?

Well, my post was strictly discussing people commenting online. The majority of posts are supportive of Kakko over Hughes, as I have shown you.

 

[ijuka]

Well, my post was strictly discussing people commenting online. The majority of posts are supportive of Kakko over Hughes, as I have shown you.

That's what happens. That doesn't mean that the majority of people even on the forums are supportive of Kakko, though. The ones who go against the consensus are the ones who want to be heard because they disagree.

 

[Habstastic]

Slow Mo for Kakko!