RW Kaapo Kakko - TPS, Liiga (2019 Draft) Part 5

[Lays]

I don't know if that line would click but who kmows.

That line would work perfectly
Hall and Nico have chemistry already and Hall can be the offensive playmaker for the line. Nico as the shutdown C and Kakko as the power winger who could score and go into the harder areas. Would be incredible to watch but Kakko-Zibanejad-Kravtsov sounds pretty great to me anyway

 

[HBK27]

Yeah, but maybe Hall wants someone to the team with whom he can play right away. Someone who is NHL ready.

But I agree, the Devils probably take Hughes, and I'm fine with that.

Edit: I didn't read that quote well enough, so I'm saying same things that @deflowd said. Forget about it.

Trying to get Hall to sign an extension will/should have zero impact on this selection. Shero's vision for the team (and convincing Hall he can build a contender) and his actions in free agency and/or trades will help determine if Hall signs long-term with NJ, not which player can contribute more next season.

 

[HBK27]

I don't think either that the consensus will change to Kakko. But if he continues like this and Hughes doesn't improve I'd be surprised if no scouting agency shifts their opinion.

My guess is this:
-Kakko goes #2 to Rangers
-Kakko will immediately take a spot in the Rangers middle six
-Plays a full-ish NHL season, not dominating but I can see him being a 20+20 player right away

This would put a lot of pressure on Devils, though. If Kakko looks constantly good and at times even dominant, it will force NJ to play Hughes in the NHL way more than he should, because it doesn't look good in the eyes of the fanbase if your #1OA is struggling in NHL level while the next guy seems to belong there right from the start. Fans are not very patient when it comes to lottery pick prospects.

I believe Hughes will be a very good player and possibly worth (most of) the hype. But his physique is just not ready for NHL and I fear there is a big risk he might get rattled bad. It only takes one Tom Wilson.

But, enough of Hughes. Can't wait for the rest of the games!

I don't think you're giving the fans, Shero or Hynes very much credit in this scenario. Most fans would understand that this is an 18 year old kid stepping into the NHL and that everyone develops at a different pace. Even if Kakko is having a better start to his career, I can't see Hynes or Shero letting this influence how they utilize Hughes next season (and hurting his development) in order to appease a portion of the fan base.

That being said, I would not at all be surprised to see Kakko have a better season than Hughes next year - I'm almost expecting it at this point. He was great to watch at the WJC (was exciting to see him help a team captained by a Devils prospect win Gold) and he has been great to watch in the WC's. Just sucks he's going to the Rangers as he's a player I would normally like to root for.

 

[DaJackal]

I don't think you're giving the fans, Shero or Hynes very much credit in this scenario. Most fans would understand that this is an 18 year old kid stepping into the NHL and that everyone develops at a different pace. Even if Kakko is having a better start to his career, I can't see Hynes or Shero letting this influence how they utilize Hughes next season (and hurting his development) in order to appease a portion of the fan base.

That being said, I would not at all be surprised to see Kakko have a better season than Hughes next year - I'm almost expecting it at this point. He was great to watch at the WJC (was exciting to see him help a team captained by a Devils prospect win Gold) and he has been great to watch in the WC's. Just sucks he's going to the Rangers as he's a player I would normally like to root for.

Most fans? Maybe. But most audible fans would not. People are way too used to #1OA picks coming straight in the league. If Hughes were a #6-10 OA pick then he would get even two years of rope easily, but #1OA picks (especially consensus ones) are expected to be impact players immediately - thanks to McD & Matthews but also Hischier (who wasn't even consensus #1), Dahlin etc.

FFS, people were giving crap to Columbus for drafting Dubois when he didn't make it to the big club during his D+1 season and Pulju stayed up with the Oilers. Patience is a rare feat.

 

[fr9dd9]

Looking forward to a highlight video from wc with kakko, hope someone have time to make a great one with alot of highlight not only the goals ofc! If someone have the material send it to me or upload it somewhere for me to download. Id be willing to make one [email protected]

My previous work is





It would be really nice if someone had the time to get some material and I would gladly Edit it. I started the process of gathering material my self but before I even got like 1-2 clips i realized that it would take to long time to do all that and Edit it.

 

[FinPanda]

I can't wait to see him in a Rangers jersey. It will be a cool moment.

 

[RageQuit77]

Tällainen Kaapo Kakko on Leijonien pukukopissa – joukkuetoveri kertoo: ”Mikäs siinä”

Rough translation from IS (tabloid) brief interview of defenseman Miika Koivisto, Kaapo's team mate.

When asked about Kaapo's behavior and demeanor in the locker room, Koivisto replies:

_ "Kaapo is rather silent in the locker room. He let his actions speak on ice. Bright guy."

_"When you think about it, he is only just 18 years old kid, thus he can't be one mouthpiece. And if that's not his character, he just be as he is. He can be that more perceptive guy, and there isn't anything wrong in it."

_ "There no perfect hockey player, but for his development a sky seems to be the limit."

 

[BB88]

Kakko could be one of the most toughest players to play against in his prime.

You really have to wonder why does Jack have clearly higher ceiling, is it just an old phrase getting used over again without any thought behind it.

 

[Narow]

Kakko could be one of the most toughest players to play against in his prime.

You really have to wonder why does Jack have clearly higher ceiling, is it just an old phrase getting used over again without any thought behind it.

Id like to know aswell i have only seen hughes in wjc and this wch and kakko has been more impressive by far. But there got to be tons of reasons hughes is so hyped.

 

[steierwrass]

The Devils have already made their decision just like 90% of teams do before the WC starts. Whens the last time a WC performance changed the top-3?

I really hope this is not the case. Professionals locking their decisions without all available information. In any other job, owner would fire them immediately. I hope my team (if I had one) is one of those three that's in 10%.

 

[santapore]

 

[BB88]

Id like to know aswell i have only seen hughes in wjc and this wch and kakko has been more impressive by far. But there got to be tons of reasons hughes is so hyped.

It's not even about today or this year but potential.

Kakko could be the best puck protector in the league with elite elite skill, why does he have the lower ceiling?

 

[thomast]

He has averaged over 40 plays per game with the puck over 3 games at WC and +90% precent of those plays had positive impact for his team against tough competition basically NHLers.

His poise is already elite NHL level.

 

[Narow]

It's not even about today or this year but potential.

Kakko could be the best puck protector in the league with elite elite skill, why does he have the lower ceiling?

Dont understand it either. So basically hughes has tool that COULD maybe make him elite in the future but he isent now? Meanwhile kakko is wrecking nhl level competition...makes total sense. But now im talking above my head as i have super limited views on both hughes and kakko but especially hughes.

 

[Nate070]

Looking forward to a highlight video from wc with kakko, hope someone have time to make a great one with alot of highlight not only the goals ofc! If someone have the material send it to me or upload it somewhere for me to download. Id be willing to make one [email protected]

My previous work is





It would be really nice if someone had the time to get some material and I would gladly Edit it. I started the process of gathering material my self but before I even got like 1-2 clips i realized that it would take to long time to do all that and Edit it.

Good stuff mr!!!! Keep em coming

 

[RageQuit77]

He has averaged over 40 plays per game with the puck over 3 gamesat WC and +90% precent of those plays had positive impact for his team against tough competition basically NHLers.

Is there some rigorous stats source to confirm that, or is it just your personal eye-test?

I have same individual experience and perspective, and during Slovakia game Finnish commentator made notes on-fly in these stats, saying in the end of match that Kaapo's performance was (nearly) 100%.

Kaapo's tournament has been amazing, also consistency-wise. Regardless of scoreless game vs USA, that might have been his best overall game otherwise.

 

[Asmola]

Looking forward to a highlight video from wc with kakko, hope someone have time to make a great one with alot of highlight not only the goals ofc! If someone have the material send it to me or upload it somewhere for me to download. Id be willing to make one [email protected]

My previous work is





It would be really nice if someone had the time to get some material and I would gladly Edit it. I started the process of gathering material my self but before I even got like 1-2 clips i realized that it would take to long time to do all that and Edit it.

That Kappo highlight was nice to watch, even i have seen almost all of those live, but anyway, imagine that those plays where mostly against grown mans. Incredible how good he is, far better than Laine who mostly was recognized because of his shot, but Kakko has everything, good skating, good hands, ok defensive, great agility, good shot, i think he might even be step ahead of Barkov at same age. No matter which team he goes, i will follow that team next season all day long.

 

[Henkka]

It's not even about today or this year but potential.

Kakko could be the best puck protector in the league with elite elite skill, why does he have the lower ceiling?

I'd hate to draft that kind of... Jagr -level of player.

Nightmare to play against.

 

[DoubleGold]

Lmao !

 

[BB88]

I'd hate to draft that kind of... Jagr -level of player.

Nightmare to play against.

For what we are seeing with Rants Kakko is pretty much build for todays NHL, and he's a better version, clearly as a prospect.

Straight up nightmare to handle.

Dont understand it either. So basically hughes has tool that COULD maybe make him elite in the future but he isent now? Meanwhile kakko is wrecking nhl level competition...makes total sense. But now im talking above my head as i have super limited views on both hughes and kakko but especially hughes.

For what I can think of skating+ playing C are the edges Hughes has, but is that all and what will determine the higher ceiling?

There's no doubt Hughes will never have the size, the strenght/puck protection of Kakko, and atleast today Kakko has the shot, and hands in close as well, atleast against men.

Hughes will go 1st but this higher ceiling and no point of even putting Kakko up there with Hughes comments are weird.

 

[Keduzin]

If ceiling being what the organization are expecting of how good of a player their pick will become. Hughes does not have a higher ceiling. He has though far more to go to hit his ceiling than Kakko has. Kakko is at the moment unarguably the better player and the more NHL ready of these two.
Mixed feelings of this draft, I believe Kakko is worth to be the 1st pick but on the otherhand, like Ville Nieminen also said, I hope Kakko will end up in the Rangers because they are the better organization.
Will be interesting to see if Hughes really will play the entire season in the NHL or continue playing with other children and continue breaking records there while developing to be NHL ready

 

[Narow]

Looking forward to a highlight video from wc with kakko, hope someone have time to make a great one with alot of highlight not only the goals ofc! If someone have the material send it to me or upload it somewhere for me to download. Id be willing to make one [email protected]

My previous work is





It would be really nice if someone had the time to get some material and I would gladly Edit it. I started the process of gathering material my self but before I even got like 1-2 clips i realized that it would take to long time to do all that and Edit it.

In clips where kakko will be clowning players make sure to put the players names in who he is clowning

 

[fr9dd9]

In clips where kakko will be clowning players make sure to put the players names in who he is clowning

Haha maybe, The people watching that really cares about that stuff will see anyway dont you think?

 

[ijuka]

For what I can think of skating+ playing C are the edges Hughes has, but is that all and what will determine the higher ceiling?

Lately, for whatever reason, skating's been grossly overrated for prospects. Barkov, Draisaitl both weak skaters. Not anymore, right? Indeed, that's how skating so often works. It especially is a clown fiesta because Kakko's not a bad skater at all, he probably is at least as good of a skater as Matthews.

Yet another example of our conclusion-based logic, rather than logic that analyses the facts and actually arrives at a conclusion in the end.

 

[RageQuit77]

That higher ceiling speculation is indeed little bit weird. If Hughes' achievements have been exceptional for several years now, so have been Kakko's, and if you use perceived historical trajectory over several seasons to make an argument to solidify other player's projected ceiling, then you've to apply that same argument also to other player. Their age difference is negligible.

Kakko's trail have been made against older guys over his entire hockey career, and at this point, nothing, nothing indicate he has reached his ceiling, and if we look at his floor against NHL-players... lol. Of course after 3 games, it maybe just hot streak, but even if so, that doesn't change the big picture.

Kaapo is just continuing his overall career trajectory now. Trajectory that by all measures has been far above and beyond what can be considered as average norm for Finnish prospects even during these high-tide years of production quality of Finnish prospects.

Biggest disparity between them is just NA news coverage, in which I assume Hughes will be always in uphill position over Kakko.