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

[Hobble]

I'd draft Kaapo Kakko, because I want to be the very best, like no one ever was. To draft him is the real test, to train him is my cause.

 

[PattyLafontaine]

Kakko >>> Hughes put it in your book

 

[Volica]

Why NHL teams may covet Kakko over Hughes: A story of media hype to create drama.

Title of what this discussion should be about. This is like MacKinnon vs Barkov. Yes, you get an absolute beast in Barkov, but you get something absolutely special in Hughes.

 

[Panthaz89]

The 2017 draft was supposed to be the Nolan Patrick Draft.

Not only did Nico Hischier surpass him on draft day, but now Elias Pettersson has become the overlooked gem of the 2017 class, one of the reasons being that he did not play in North America.

31 Thoughts: NHL embracing new era of fun, personality - Sportsnet.ca

"One executive indicated that if Pettersson had followed top pick Nico Hischier to North America the season beforehand, the current Canuck would have been No. 1." - Elliotte Friedman, Oct. 2018

“I had no doubt that he was the most talented player in his draft class. Him not playing in North America and being so physically raw prevented him [from going] first overall in my opinion.” - another NHL scout, per Elliotte Friedman, Oct. 2018

Likewise, Kakko only this year moved up to Liiga full time. His exposure has increased greatly this season compared to last year, where international tournaments were the basis of most scouts' knowledge of him. Pettersson, playing in Allsvenskan in his draft year, was judged mostly by international play. Liiga is a huge step up in terms of exposure in Europe, and it's also one of the top professional leagues in the world.

Filip Forsberg is another player who received less exposure than he deserved in 2012. By consensus, he was ranked #2 overall, behind Nail Yakupov of the OHL's Sarnia Sting. Forsberg, like Pettersson, played in the Allsvenskan in his draft season.

He was drafted at 5 and is already been concussed 5 games into his NHL career.......gem after 5 games? Jesus can people stop overreacting to such a small sample size? No I don't care what players did in Sweden because the only thing that matters is their production in the NHL once their career is over and he has hardly even started.

 

[Gsus]

People are stupid if they think this hype is all Finnish bias.

Kakko is way ahead physically as 17 year old than 17yo Barkov, Laine, Pulju and Aho. So yeah, the hype is not wrongly based. He's hard to knock off the puck even for grown men as it seems. His puck skills are close to Barkov. I mean the closest he probably gets in that group.

It's a tough argument, but you could say he's a better prospect than Laine was at his age. Laine has that world class shot (and more).

 

[newfy]

I'm not saying Kakko isn't good, but Hughes is also very good. It's possible Kakko could elevate his game for the full season and make people think about it, but it's just as possible his play falls off and he slides. I'm just saying at this point in time, there's a clear #1.

I agree Hughes is the clear #1 still but I also could see this being a season when people challenge him. Hes playing in a weaker, more difficult league to project players from because of the competition compared to Liiga or even the WHL for Cozens. Hughes is also tiny. I know people dont care about size that much anymore but at first overall you have to consider it, to go along with the league hes playing in.

I know Kane still went first overall, but he was a bit bigger and there wasnt another prospect close to the level of what Kakko or Cozens looks like they may become at draft time. That entire top 5 was bad for a top 5.

So I guess I'm saying this draft is actually one of the ones that could have a challenge for first by the end of the year but the ones challenging have a long way to go. And honeslty in some of these drafts where theres been a challenge, the challenger might have ended up better. Hedman might be more valuable than Tavares, and I know Hall won the hart last year but up until that point Seguin had been better. I dont think anyone seriously thought Eichel was challenging at the end of the season

 

[AmericanDream]

when an actual paid NHL scout says something like this, then lets have a talk okay..I see a whole lot of nobodies being quoted here, no offense to Larry by the way...just the truth.

10 out of 10 actual NHL scouts just had Hughes as CLEAR #1 for Bobby Mac, just 2 weeks ago ...

 

[PatrikBerglund]

Please dear God no.

Not another Finn superstar in the making.

/ Disgruntled Swede

 

[easton117]

Why NHL teams may covet Kakko over Hughes: A story of media hype to create drama.

Title of what this discussion should be about. This is like MacKinnon vs Barkov. Yes, you get an absolute beast in Barkov, but you get something absolutely special in Hughes.

Ya I’ve seen this one before.

It’s the annual oh look! Someone else might be good so please watch the draft show shtick they try every year.

Seriously. Who watches the f***ing draft. Go learn a new skill for 3 hours then read the rundown when it’s done.

You’ll be able to knit mittens now AND have all the draft info you need! Win win!!!

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Whatever team drafts Hughes first overall, get ready for a summer full of Kakko > Hughes posts by Finns, if the Matthews and Laine draft was any indication.

I'm enjoying Finnish talents lately. Aho came out of nowhere and could be better than Eichel.

 

[brokenhole]

Kakko wants to join Team Finland...I mean the Montreal Canadiens!

Kotkaniemi
Lekhonen
Armia
Ikonen
Ylonen
Niemi

No he will break that tradition and come and play with Petersson on the Canucks...you guys have way too many Finns. Will even offer a good ole Canadian py... er d-man in Gudbranson.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Kakko has the best overall attributes of all Aho, Barkov, Laine and Puljujärvi. People are stupid if they think this hype is all Finnish bias.

Serpentor?

 

[Iceman]

Maybe... but not completely sold just yet.

 

[MattySnipes]

I don't know if realistically he'll go #1. Good on him for challenging Hughes. But his name is freakin' awesome -- Kaapo Kakko

 

[Captain Mountain]

No he will break that tradition and come and play with Petersson on the Canucks...you guys have way too many Finns. Will even offer a good ole Canadian py... er d-man in Gudbranson.

For Alzner you say? You drive a hard bargain good sir.

 

[MMANumminen]

Muricans say Hughes, they have not seen Kakko play. I say Kakko I haven't follow Hughes at all since I don't care about some random usa tweener.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Probably the media stirring up to try to get more interest.

 

[Zamuz]

Kakko has the best overall attributes of all Aho, Barkov, Laine and Puljujärvi. People are stupid if they think this hype is all Finnish bias.

I'm all confident that he is gonna be good but Barkov?

don't forget he is a winger, not a center. He has less responsibility on ice.

 

[BusQuets]

Kakko has played center majority of his junior career so i'm not surprised he's going to transition to that in adult league as well(at some point). Why is this surprising people? I really doubt Hughes with his 5'9 frame would be playing center in Liiga either from the beginning.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Muricans say Hughes, they have not seen Kakko play. I say Kakko I haven't follow Hughes at all since I don't care about some random usa tweener.

I mean, this is really the substance of most "discussions" on this site.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

Kakko has played center majority of his junior career so i'm not surprised he's going to transition to that in adult league as well(at some point). Why is this surprising people? I really doubt Hughes with his 5'9 frame would be playing center in Liiga either from the beginning.

Why is he playing wing now?

 

[tony d]

I still think Hughes goes 1. Kakko though goes 2.

 

[BB88]

What does that have to do with anything?

He's played 12 games this year.

Jack Hughes has played, what, 8 games?

Man you're still so lost, please stop already.

Didn't Jesse Puljujarvi tear that league up as well??

No.

 

[BusQuets]

Why is he playing wing now?

I'm not the coach so i'm don't know but i would imagine for the same reason Kotkaniemi played wing in his Liiga year. Easier to adapt.

 

[NyQuil]

Man you're still so lost, please stop already.

That’s what people say when they don’t have a point.

Well done.