Prospect Info: Kaapo Kakko, RW, 1st round, 2nd overall, 2019

[GoAwayPanarin]

Looking at where he is now and looking at his dad I'd say you're pretty much on the money where he'll be in 3/4/5 years. He's going to be a load. He's also stronger than he looks which is saying something. He manhandles older guys his own size. That empty net goal against Canada in the World Championships--he just knocked Shea Theodore right out of the way. That's a real deal NHL defenseman--that's impressive.

He's going to be a different kind of player than Hughes. We'll see who turns out better.

Can't really do that though, very possible that he is more like his mom.... Though she also looked to be 5'10" or 5'11".

I don't really care if he grows to 6'4" or how much weight he puts on (he is going to put on some whether he wants to or not) but the narrative perpetuated by the media and Devils fans that he's a man already and close to physically mature is a false one. You can tell he hasn't spent a ton of time training off ice (I can all but guarantee that Hughes has put in more playing with the NTDP) so there is a ton of room for him to grow in terms of power and explosiveness.

 

[RangerBoy]

 

[Inferno]

Want to see a psychopath? Look at Kaliyev. My god, I was terrified when I saw him on Saturday. The kid gave me chills

Yep. @Amazing Kreiderman and I were standing next to each other and were like... Should we talk to him? Get his autograph? If he tries to bite my ear off and eat it you'll try to help right?

 

[ijuka]

Aah watching this was pretty funny when at 1:14 everyone starts massively cheering when Devils pick Hughes.

 

[RGY]

Kakko gets his own corner space

 

[Norman Moscow]

What a fanbase!!! Rooting for you next season!
GoRangers!!!

 

[Edge]

Not sure how many of you listen to NHL Talk on Sirius XM, Channel 91. Stellick and Simmer had Jeff Marek on this morning to talk about the draft. Marek said a few things that I found extremely interesting. He started by agreeing with the consensus that Hughes was #1 on a majority of teams lists, but a few definitely had Kakko at 1. He then went on to say that he believed that had the Rangers had the 1st overall pick, they would have taken Kakko. The MOST interesting thing however, was that one team in particular (not the Rangers) had Hughes ranked third behind Kakko and Dach over concerns about Hughes size and if his game transitions well to the NHL.

See now, I had the opposite take. I think the Rangers would've taken Hughes, but didn't even have a split second pause before their attention shifted to Kakko.

As for ranking Hughes third, especially behind Dach, well... that's why some teams spend 10 years watching the playoffs on television.

 

[Gardner McKay]

See now, I had the opposite take. I think the Rangers would've taken Hughes, but didn't even have a split second pause before their attention shifted to Kakko.

As for ranking Hughes third, especially behind Dach, well... that's why some teams spend 10 years watching the playoffs on television.

Absolutely agree. Just though it was... interesting to say the least.

 

[Nickmo82]

I know it doesn't matter at all in the grand scheme of things, but here's hoping #45 is just a camp thing. It, like Lias' #50, is an ugly looking number.

 

[Bob Richards]

Would honestly be funny if some bullshit jersey number like 45 was suddenly super important in Rangers history.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

See now, I had the opposite take. I think the Rangers would've taken Hughes, but didn't even have a split second pause before their attention shifted to Kakko.

As for ranking Hughes third, especially behind Dach, well... that's why some teams spend 10 years watching the playoffs on television.

Honestly, after watching one of the draft videos after Hughes gets picked and Gorton goes “well we’re getting a heck of a hockey player” it seems like there was a small tinge of disappointment that the Devils took Hughes.

 

[RangerBoy]

#45 at the end of the clip.

 

[Thirty One]

Would honestly be funny if some bull**** jersey number like 45 was suddenly super important in Rangers history.

45 was Cecil Fielder's number. I'm calling Kakko Big Daddy.

 

[Squarp]

 

[Richard Banger]

Looking at where he is now and looking at his dad I'd say you're pretty much on the money where he'll be in 3/4/5 years. He's going to be a load. He's also stronger than he looks which is saying something. He manhandles older guys his own size. That empty net goal against Canada in the World Championships--he just knocked Shea Theodore right out of the way. That's a real deal NHL defenseman--that's impressive.

He's going to be a different kind of player than Hughes. We'll see who turns out better.

I'd love to be at the NYR facilities and see what he's max out on right now.

He's in very good hands with the NYR trainers and the off site trainers. They'll make sure he hits his physical potential.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

Damn, kid can scoot.

 

[Filthy Dangles]

 

[Filthy Dangles]

I'd love to be at the NYR facilities and see what he's max out on right now.

He's in very good hands with the NYR trainers and the off site trainers. They'll make sure he hits his physical potential.

Same. Practice is open to the public, but i'm stuck at work probably like you are. Would love to be there right now.

 

[RangerLifer]

Would honestly be funny if some bull**** jersey number like 45 was suddenly super important in Rangers history.

Kappo will wear #24 I think.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Honestly, after watching one of the draft videos after Hughes gets picked and Gorton goes “well we’re getting a heck of a hockey player” it seems like there was a small tinge of disappointment that the Devils took Hughes.

Completely possible. Just passing along what Marek said. He’s a pretty knowledgeable guy.

 

[Kovalev27]

Damn, kid can scoot.

That’s probably the biggest improvement in his game since the WJCs imo. He’s found another level with his skating.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Completely possible. Just passing along what Marek said. He’s a pretty knowledgeable guy.

absolutely

 

[Richard Banger]

Same. Practice is open to the public, but i'm stuck at work probably like you are. Would love to be there right now.

I am. Probably also doesn't help that I live in Oklahoma

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I know it doesn't matter at all in the grand scheme of things, but here's hoping #45 is just a camp thing. It, like Lias' #50, is an ugly looking number.

i actually like 45 and 50 over 24. For some reason that number is so lame to me. Hope Kakko gets something cooler.

 

[haveandare]

Completely possible. Just passing along what Marek said. He’s a pretty knowledgeable guy.

Yeah, it's interesting. Hughes has a higher ceiling I'd say pretty safely, but he's not a McDavid prospect, he has question marks. Kakko does too of course, but they're very different ones than Hughes.