Prospect Info: Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko?

[Kaapo Cabana]

Imagine Boo and Kakko together. I can't wait for Sam to accidentally say "Buk*kk*" and Sam going "That's Gross, Sam" to which Sam responds "Of course, Nico Gross"

This is great

 

[East Coast Bias]

We’re likely going to have Zibanejad for at least the next 8-9 seasons (4 years left on his deal and then I expect them to resign him).

Mika has 3 years left on his current deal.

(But I agree)

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

How is Kakko's character?

Also, does he speak English?

He speaks English quite well actually. He's not a very vocal guy but that may have been because of the environment at the time (2018, only 16 years old and playing on the senior team). I think he will be fine.

 

[ijuka]

The fact that Rangers have Zibanejad who can speak Finnish should help Kakko with the language at least a little bit. Although, his English should be fine and you learn fast while being surrounded by it in New York.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I forgot that Zibanejad was fluent in Finnish.

 

[ElizaE]

Here is a fun fact:
Kakko, Pajuniemi and Reunanen are all from the same team and town TPS, Turku. Also Georgiev played there three seasons before joining the Rangers. So you might have a some kind of Turku mafia in your hands

 

[offdacrossbar]

kakko reminds me of barkov. his ability to shield the puck and in a flash with a one step move towards the net and shoot it. kid is big and fluid and always attacking. lots of sasha barkov here.

i can see the jagr comparisons too. jaromir jagr- my all time favorite player other than messier, could take over game and toy with defenders.

i see that ability here with kakko. when he gets to 6'2 + and 200+, hes going to be an absolute matchup monster. those skills are small man stuff but hes a big guy who can play a power finesse game. unique.

now go get me this kid and make my world complete

 

[Black Aces]

If we get Hughes, throw Lemiuex on his line, problem solved

Lemieux will be involved with Hughes no matter if he goes 1 or 2.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Here is a fun fact:
Kakko, Pajuniemi and Reunanen are all from the same team and town TPS, Turku. Also Georgiev played there three seasons before joining the Rangers. So you might have a some kind of Turku mafia in your hands

I thiiiink the Rangers scout in Finland has worked somewhere in the TPS organization before

 

[ElizaE]

I thiiiink the Rangers scout in Finland has worked somewhere in the TPS organization before

Yes. Mikko Eloranta. TPS legend as a player and has been a junior coach after that in the organization.

 

[ijuka]

Here is a fun fact:
Kakko, Pajuniemi and Reunanen are all from the same team and town TPS, Turku. Also Georgiev played there three seasons before joining the Rangers. So you might have a some kind of Turku mafia in your hands

Mikko Eloranta is a Europe-based scout for New York Rangers. Mikko Eloranta is a former TPS player, coach and junior development head(whatever the title).

Which, by the way, implies that New York Rangers should have a pretty good idea about Kakko in comparison to most other NHL teams.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

I'm just happy?

This.

I’ll give the slight edge to Hughes, but I really don’t give a damn which of these guys gets drafted.

 

[Tawnos]

Mika has 3 years left on his current deal.

(But I agree)

Derp. When I looked I assumed capfriendly had turned over the year.... stupid.

 

[darko]

kakko reminds me of barkov. his ability to shield the puck and in a flash with a one step move towards the net and shoot it. kid is big and fluid and always attacking. lots of sasha barkov here.

i can see the jagr comparisons too. jaromir jagr- my all time favorite player other than messier, could take over game and toy with defenders.

i see that ability here with kakko. when he gets to 6'2 + and 200+, hes going to be an absolute matchup monster. those skills are small man stuff but hes a big guy who can play a power finesse game. unique.

now go get me this kid and make my world complete

I see Barkov but alo fair bit of Rick Nash. Not trying to rile you up.

 

[offdacrossbar]

I see Barkov but alo fair bit of Rick Nash. Not trying to rile you up.

so hard for me to remember the good rick nash. so much of nash is what was left of him his last 2 years here and that was not good. young rick nash yes, some similarity.

nash was never overly creative. to me, very mechanical. for a big man, very passive exterior player who stayed outside too much. was never a huge nash fan. newsflash ....

kakko looks like a hybrid of kovalev skills and barkov style plus some jagr vibe too.

not a bad mix

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I forgot that Zibanejad was fluent in Finnish.

Finnish mom, Persian dad, grew up in Sweden. Interesting blend

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Mikko Eloranta is a Europe-based scout for New York Rangers. Mikko Eloranta is a former TPS player, coach and junior development head(whatever the title).

Which, by the way, implies that New York Rangers should have a pretty good idea about Kakko in comparison to most other NHL teams.

Also because Lauri Pajuniemi is on TPS, who was drafted by the Rangers last year. And they drafted Tarmo Reunanen who was at TPS at the time, and signed Georgiev from TPS. There's a strong connection

 

[darko]

so hard for me to remember the good rick nash. so much of nash is what was left of him his last 2 years here and that was not good. young rick nash yes, some similarity.

nash was never overly creative. to me, very mechanical. for a big man, very passive exterior player who stayed outside too much. was never a huge nash fan. newsflash ....

kakko looks like a hybrid of kovalev skills and barkov style plus some jagr vibe too.

not a bad mix

Earlier when I was watching some clips I just saw some Nash in there. Young Rick Nash. Definitely see Barkov.

 

[cwede]

I see Barkov but also fair bit of Rick Nash...

yeah - looking at Kakko clips this morning, the ways he can
use his body between puck and defender, move to net front from the wall, pass from the wing, go to the net.
Maybe he cant shoot like Nash (I just don't know)
but i see a similar body, strength, awareness and instincts

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Also because Lauri Pajuniemi is on TPS, who was drafted by the Rangers last year. And they drafted Tarmo Reunanen who was at TPS at the time, and signed Georgiev from TPS. There's a strong connection

This plus Quinns multiple complaints about their lack of presence along the walls makes this a slam dunk.

I for see you having this signature soon...

I am a fan of him- Lias Anderssom

My grandfather told me my biggest fan was waiting outside- Nils Lundkvist

Sorry for the shit game - Vitali Kravstov

Stop following me - Kaapo Kakko

 

[Savant]

I'll take Option D - Don't Care which one

 

[AgentBrodeur]

its not much of a choice, do you want a johnny gaudreau, or a alexsander barkov (but not a Center) and hopefully not a bubble but rick nash skating in backwards for YOUR team.

you do not get to pick 1st. The last game Hughes played when team usa lost in the third period, on how he was a taylor hall/parise trying to will the team to win, was all i needed to see. But im not Shero.

 

[pld459666]

I want the good big man over the good little man every day of the week.

For me, the talent difference has to be night and day for that to change.

In this instance, I don't think it is

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Here is a fun fact:
Kakko, Pajuniemi and Reunanen are all from the same team and town TPS, Turku. Also Georgiev played there three seasons before joining the Rangers. So you might have a some kind of Turku mafia in your hands

The only Finn that has my heart is Olli Jokinen

 

[McRanger]

The only Finn that has my heart is Olli Jokinen