Prospect Info: The Second Overall Pick Thread: Part I (Kakko/Hughes Talk)

[Lone Ranger]

I can't see the Devils passing on Hughes. Even if their scouts give Kakko a slight edge, they still need Hughes to sell tickets, and with a half empty arena many nights, that has to be a serious consideration for them. I think Kappo's wearing red, white, and blue!

 

[Lone Ranger]

I wish I would make this up.

I will always remember him as "No-Pull-Up" Casey

LOOK: Top NHL prospect Casey Mittelstadt can't do a single pull-up

 

[Edge]

https://nypost.com/2019/04/09/kaapo-kakko-time-rangers-future-just-got-a-lot-brighter/

Just to help @jas 's statement in the other thread, confirmed by GMJG that the Rangers will not be taking a goalie in the 1st round!!

I would like to call everyone’s attention to the following:

“The Rangers will keep half of an eye trained on Hughes in case the Devils go way back in their history and pull a Neil Brady or an Adrian Foster. They will also continue to closely monitor winger Vasili Podkolzin and centers Trevor Zegras, Alex Turcotte, Dylan Cozens and Kirby Dach in case Gorton is able to double-dip in the top seven or eight by way of a trade.

“The Blueshirts have their own first plus Winnipeg’s. They would have Tampa Bay’s first if the Lightning win the Cup. They would also have Dallas’ first if the Stars reach the Western final and Mats Zuccarello plays half the games in the first two rounds. They could be in the bundling mood.”

I will say again - this is going to be a big time area of focus for the team.

 

[kelsier]

Woah! Congratz guys!

A big fan of Kakko and I've watched almost all of his games this year (minus three to five or so) and if he falls on your laps, you'd get the best player from the draft and one of the best drafted prospects in the last decades. Apart from elite top end speed and Selke level defence Kakko has it all, and luckily these two aspects are something that can be taught and developed over time (just compare Barkov back in the day and today on the skates for instance). Oh and lets not forget that Kakko was entrusted to defend the lead in the dying minutes in the WJC after scoring the golden goal as well as getting to play PK even in the FEL.

Would've been kewl seeing the first ever Finn going 1st OA, but to be honest I think I'd rather have him fall to second instead of heading to the New Jersey. With that said, Kakko should be converted to a center, cause he has everything anyone could possibly want from a #1C. The kid already played four games in the middle for TPS in the regular season and scored four goals without looking out of place. Thought he played some CHL games as a center as well but can't remember how they ended. Had he not developed chemistry with Palve I'm quite sure he would have finished the season playing in the middle.

Geez, never even considered the possibility of Kakko wearing a Rangers jersey. The way the world spins is just something else. You couldn't have picked much better time to end up "winning" the lottery. Of course there's always the possibility of The Devils running for Kaapo, but based on what I've read the Devils brass seem to have established connections with the Hughes family which certainly is a factor when they make the decision along with the public pressure since Hughes is from USA (yeah the nationality matters), which ultimately could work in your favour.

Anyway, there's a good chance I'll be tuning in to watch some of the Rangers games next year. This was my favourite team while growing up and I've still got boatloads of NYR/Messier hockey cards stashed somewhere in the closet, ha.

 

[Beacon]

curious what people project both Hughes and Kakko to be (upper bound)? Hughes a 30-50-80 guy and kakko a 40-30-70 guy?

First season, roughly half a point per game; long term when he's able to legally buy beer, most seasons should be over ppg.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

No, 'Union Delegate'

you mean, "Waste Management Consultant"

 

[Beacon]

Bern will try him as a defenceman first...

To be fair, Kak looks like he will have synergy with Claesson.

 

[bondra]

I have seen +30 games from Kakko this year and most impressive thing about him is how he stays on the puck and drives to the net as 17 year old. Havent seen this from any Finnish prospect over the years

He has already insane hands and when he gets even more muscle into him this kidd will be a beast.

 

[Machinehead]

Angel on my shoulder: "The Devils hold all the cards. Don't get attached to anyone."

Devil on my shoulder: "Get Kakko's face tattooed on your f***ing belly button."

 

[egelband]

A really nice benefit to tonight is watching that Colorado pick fall so far and thus end this whole Duchene discussion forever.

I felt the same way. I try not to be a hater but the Colorado organization always gets great breaks. Even when the Rangers are good they have to struggle for it. Nice to see us be the team that gets the good break... For like the first time ever.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I felt the same way. I try not to be a hater but the Colorado organizations always gets great breaks. Even when the Rangers are good they have to struggle for it. Nice to see us be the team that gets the good break... For like the first time ever.

It can't be the first time ever because I keep hearing how the lottery was rigged with the Rangers always getting help from the league

 

[Beacon]

Wait, what? I thought it all came down to uncertainty because he was a high school kid.

At the time he was drafted, Leetch was really awful defensively and too weak to play 1980s style hockey. But he had unreal talent, and the Rangers went high-risk, high-reward. By the 1990s, he was much stronger and his defense was very good for an offensive defenseman. But he could've just as easily turned into an AHLer who can't play defense and gets overmatched physically.

 

[egelband]

Some of that can be addressed in the coming draft. But, Panarin is such a luxury that I don't believe this team needs right now. Hey, look, the Rangers can draft elite talent. One more year gets them either a top notch center or a anothe high end wing.

I'd still sign Panarin if the price is right. But he'll probably demand too much. And either way I want them to basically play the kids this coming season, take their lumps, and get another high pick. I'm actually quite excited to see the kids play. I enjoyed it this season too.

 

[Beacon]

What would it cost to trade up for one of them? [Cozens, Turcotte, Zegras or Byram]

I would gladly give up Kreider and the Jets first for a shot at any of them, more to get Byram.

 

[FinProspects]

During the latter part of the season there has been a serious talk that Kakko is the best prospect from Finland. Well, tough to say, but I do think Kakko is a rare breed as a player type. His puck possession skills are something else, especially near the boards. That will translate to NA rinks very smoothly, and he will be effective right away. He is very strong in his skates, not the fastest player, but excellent balance, first steps and can change directions quickly in a very small space. Look at his youtube highlight videos and you will get few chuckles on how he schools defenders, either with his skill or just raw power.

He had phenomenal playoffseries, scoring 4+1 in 5 games for TPS. TPS lost the series, but it was a one man show. Rarely I've seen the opposite fans being so intimidated when a certain player has a puck. But Kakko had this effect. Its eerily similar to Forsberg, who was a player that opposite fans feared (ask Detroit fans for example). Of course Kakko hasnt got the physical game Foppa had without the puck, but with puck they have similarities.

One peculiar thing is that Kakko playes with ultra short stick, but is still able to unleash quality shots, whether its a wrister or slapshot. After all he surpassed Barkov as scoring most goals as a U18 player in Sm Liiga.

He can play wing or center. Doesnt really matter for him. Which one you need the most?

Kakko is a winner. He has U18 gold and U20 gold. Both finals against Hughes's USA. Scored the gwg in U20 final. He will play in World Champs, possible alongside Barkov.

Enjoy guys and expect a lot of Finnish fans in MSG in the coming years. Its relatively cheap and easy for us Finns to travel to NYC, so dont be suprised to see us being in the stands

 

[egelband]

We lose our Norwegian fans but gain many Finnish fans.

 

[egelband]

For everyone concerned about Henrik's mood, I suspect he's very happy and excited for next season. The picture is starting to get clear and the promise is starting to materialize.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

Woke up all sweaty all, excited we got the second pick and destined to take Kakko. But I remembered were the Rangers and were picking seventh. I just wish we could have something go right and draft a superstar ffs

 

[Ola]

We lose our Norwegian fans but gain many Finnish fans.

Great! We have had way to few Finns over the year.

Can’t we sticky a Finnish pronounciation thread?

 

[Ola]

It can't be the first time ever because I keep hearing how the lottery was rigged with the Rangers always getting help from the league

How do you explain Bettmans hand shaking as much as it does if he didn’t shoot the video picking balls 1,150 times????

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

For everyone concerned about Henrik's mood, I suspect he's very happy and excited for next season. The picture is starting to get clear and the promise is starting to materialize.

Sorry but I don't care about him and his mood. Hopefully it gets much worse when we sign Shestyorkin and he asks for a trade.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Devils board wants Hughes, I hope the FO too.

This actually shows me I'm dead inside. No excitement whatsoever. Draft day is where it's at.

 

[SML2]

 

[ManUtdTobbe]

There's no reason to trade up from Jets pick, not Worth the cost. Just pick good players with the pick instead and keep Kreider.

 

[BroadwayStorm]

OMG I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT THIS! YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! FINALLY! FINALLY! FINALLY! WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR OWN f***ING FRANCHISE YOUNG 10a prospect PLAYER!!!!!