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RW Kaapo Kakko - TPS, Liiga (2019 Draft)

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Ippenator said:
I’m not also sold on Honka at least so far. And right now I don’t see him as a likely top 10 pick. Top 20 might be possible, but better than that and he has to have a pretty good rest of the season. I do agree that he has a lot to do to be a defensively sound player in the NHL. On the other hand so did Klingberg and he has been able to become one of the real top defensemen at the NHL level. Sure through his offensive skills mostly, but I wouldn’t at least call him a real defensive liability nowadays.

Sure Patrick has shown that he can be a pretty solid two-way center at the NHL level, but his draft had still several better talents than him. And especially with his injury history and not that impressive offensive skills there should be red flags all over the place for picking him already as the 2nd pick.

I can tell you that with the similar kind of injury history and health problems a European player with his skillset, but much less of North American hype, would have dropped out from the top 10, maybe even out from the top 20. He was picked as 2nd because of the several years of North American hype on him, there’s no way around it. He should have in reality been picked around 6th or 7th overall. Even that would be a bit risky with his injury history.
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Patrick had a very solid track record in juniors. PPG as a 16 year old, PPG+ as a 17 year old, and an injury-ridden, PPG+ season in his draft year. Add to the fact that he was NHL ready and 6'2, there isn't much surprise why teams still loved him. The only question mark he had was his injuries.

Heiskanen, Makar, Pettersson were all risers that had some question marks. Plenty of players are extremely talented but you don't know how their game would translate, Patrick might not be the most creative player, but i'd say he's still a lock to be a 50+ point player in his prime and still has PPG potential. I do agree there is some bias to North American players, but I think it's because it's easier to evaluate a player when they play in the same size rink.
 
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Pavel Buchnevich said:
There's plenty of bias in drafting based on how NA media ranks players. I say that as a North American.

Its inevitable that media thoughts seep into some decision-making.
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I think all Finns stop moaning ONCE they get their 1st pick, it's all about

Barkov vs MacKinnon
Laine vs Matthews
Kakko vs Hughes

Finnish player is never been picked first in the draft, while many feels they should/could have been
 
FinPanda said:
He is compared here to be the best prospect from Finland since Barkov. So yes to both.
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Pretty sure Laine's the best prospect from Finland since Barkov.

But anyway, yes. Let's just say that the top 2 has to be very strong for Kakko to not go top 2. Even Eichel might not do. As for #1OA, we probably need to see what Hughes does. But it would in my opinion need to be quite a bit. Furthermore, it's hard for Hughes to prove anything due to him playing at NTDP level while Kakko plays in a pro league. Even if he goes 5 PPG there, it's still vs other kids... International performance will have to show us something, I'd say.
 
ijuka said:
Pretty sure Laine's the best prospect from Finland since Barkov.
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Some prefer Laine, some Barkov. I like centers, but I like Laine a lot too. Hard question. Still if you think who is the most "ready" to play in the NHL after their draft year, maybe I prefer Barkov.
 
FinPanda said:
Some prefer Laine, some Barkov. I like centers, but I like Laine a lot too. Hard question. Still if you think who is the most "ready" to play in the NHL after their draft year, maybe I prefer Barkov.
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Preference is one thing, but seriously Laine scored 12 points in 10 games at worlds etc. and Barkov didn't even get going in NHL until his 3rd year. People who prefer Barkov simply are wrong.
 
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ijuka said:
Preference is one thing, but seriously Laine scored 12 points in 10 games at worlds etc. and Barkov didn't even get going in NHL until his 3rd year. People who prefer Barkov simply are wrong.
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Good points. Gave me something to think about. Maybe you are right and I am overrating Barkov. Laine was better when they entered the league, that is very true. I can see what you think.
 
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Would somebody capable put all-time top-5 or top-10 best scorers list of the draft year players in Liiga.
 
Laine was better than Barkov when he entered the league but it will be interesting to see if he can keep improving as much as Barkov did during his first few years.

Kakko on the other hand is a mix of both Barkov and Laine. Kakko doesn't have the shot that makes Laine the offensive powerhouse but at the same time he plays a lot more mature game than Laine does and I'd see him as better playmaker than Laine. Kakko will be one of those players that Laine would die to have in his team since he will win the board battles for Laine and his playmaking skills allow guys like Laine to get those scoring chances since he can create something out of nowhere and that is a rare gift to have.
 
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Barkov is underrated and Laine is overrated. For me Barkov is and will be better than Laine.

Doesen't matter though, we're in the Kaapo Kakko thread.
 
Laine vs Barkov is a tough comparable. They came in to very different situations. Barkov had crap for linemates and had to be a #1C as 18-year-old on a very challenged team.

Laine was more valuable because of his special talent in scoring goals, obviously.
 
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I think Laine will end up as a better player but atm Barkov is better. Kakko is would be amazong linemate for Laine due to his ability to forecheck. Laine-Barkov-Kakko could be best line in hockey someday.
 
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FinPanda said:
Good points. Gave me something to think about. Maybe you are right and I am overrating Barkov. Laine was better when they entered the league, that is very true. I can see what you think.
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Not a big deal but it’s nice to see a reaction like this when someone offers a differing opinion. Willingness to think about the merits of your own and another persons argument. Seems rare on HF. Kudos to you. As for Barkov and Laine in the first 2 years of their respective NHL-careers, I give Laine the edge. Didn’t follow Barkov as a Liiga prospect. But as Hokinaittii mentioned, will be interesting to see if Laine will keep improving as much. Watching Barkov today he really can take over entire shifts and leave you in awe of his abilities.
 
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I hope Habs get a chanxe at drafting this kid , afterall we call dibs on all the Finns.

All your Finns are belong to us!

Kotkaniemi
Lekhonen
Ylonen
Ikonen
Armia
Niemi
Kakko?
 
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XYZ said:
Not a big deal but it’s nice to see a reaction like this when someone offers a differing opinion. Willingness to think about the merits of your own and another persons argument. Seems rare on HF. Kudos to you. As for Barkov and Laine in the first 2 years of their respective NHL-careers, I give Laine the edge. Didn’t follow Barkov as a Liiga prospect. But as Hokinaittii mentioned, will be interesting to see if Laine will keep improving as much. Watching Barkov today he really can take over entire shifts and leave you in awe of his abilities.
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Hey thanks, made my morning. Nice to hear something nice.

I like a lot both players. Laine is awesome and I love when he scores, same with Barkov. I followed a lot more of Laine when it was their draft year.

TPS has a game against Jukurit tonight, hoping for a great Kakko show.
 
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