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

[GoAwayPanarin]

I think I actually liked (favorited) that Alex Nunn tweet
Kakko definitely is versatile as **** in his scoring but even as a player he’s incredibly versatile. He can play any forward position and be good at it and he literally does not have a red flag to his game. He’s not perfect, but there’s nothing that stands out as a weakness. Sure his skating, shot, positioning can be considered weaknesses for him but none of them are something to even slightly worry about. This is what makes me have him ranked over Hughes (yes, before the lottery.) Hughes has some red flags to his game and I’ve stated this plenty of times. Not to knock Hughes though, obviously he will be incredible as well and may even score more points but he wont be close to Kakko’s all around game

My biggest knock on Kappo is that he seemed to gas a bit earlier than you'd want him too (he's not a speedster either, but that may come with time/increased leg strength.)

Basically, most of his work needs to come off ice. A summer at Prentiss awaits him.

 

[cozandeffect]

I haven't seen it posted but this draft reminds me a lot of the 07 NBA Draft. A clear top 2 with guys in the top 10 that could be really good and guys who have talent but question marks as you go. The thorn in my side is I can't decide who's Hughes and who's Durant. Stylistically I think Durant matches Hughes since they're both pure offense much better but Hughes is also the clear number 1 whereas Durant was clearly #2 going into the draft. Plus neither guy has the injury concerns Oden did.

Hmmm....I'll have to keep workshopping it.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I haven't seen it posted but this draft reminds me a lot of the 07 NBA Draft. A clear top 2 with guys in the top 10 that could be really good and guys who have talent but question marks as you go. The thorn in my side is I can't decide who's Hughes and who's Durant. Stylistically I think Durant matches Hughes since they're both pure offense much better but Hughes is also the clear number 1 whereas Durant was clearly #2 going into the draft. Plus neither guy has the injury concerns Oden did.

Hmmm....I'll have to keep workshopping it.

How’s this: the 2013 NHL draft
MacKinnon - Hughes
Barkov - Kakko
Drouin - Podkolzin
Jones - Byram

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Would you trade this 2nd overall for Svechnikov?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

How’s this: the 2013 NHL draft
MacKinnon - Hughes
Barkov - Kakko
Drouin - Podkolzin
Jones - Byram

Throw Turcotte in place of Podkolzin and it's almost a match.

Teammate of the 1OA who some (well, really just PB) think is better.

 

[Polar Bear]

Would you trade this 2nd overall for Svechnikov?

No, but that's not a knock on him.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Throw Turcotte in place of Podkolzin and it's almost a match.

Teammate of the 1OA who some (well, really just PB) think is better.

That’s even better, I was just thinking positionally

 

[Uncle Dru]

Would you trade this 2nd overall for Svechnikov?

No, Carolina says no as well

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

That’s even better, I was just thinking positionally

Teammates 1 and 3, a Finn at #2 and a defenseman out of the dub at #4.

1,2 and 4 may all stick in the NHL out of camp next year too ala 2013.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I think I actually liked (favorited) that Alex Nunn tweet
Kakko definitely is versatile as **** in his scoring but even as a player he’s incredibly versatile. He can play any forward position and be good at it and he literally does not have a red flag to his game. He’s not perfect, but there’s nothing that stands out as a weakness. Sure his skating, shot, positioning can be considered weaknesses for him but none of them are something to even slightly worry about. This is what makes me have him ranked over Hughes (yes, before the lottery.) Hughes has some red flags to his game and I’ve stated this plenty of times. Not to knock Hughes though, obviously he will be incredible as well and may even score more points but he wont be close to Kakko’s all around game

His shot? That’s about as good as you are going to find. It’s been compared to Oveckins shot when he was 17

 

[cozandeffect]

I don't see 2013. That top-4 was cut above everyone else as I recall. Jones was a real contender for 1 early in the season and I like Byram but Jones was on the same level as Mac and Barkov.

 

[Lays]

His shot? That’s about as good as you are going to find. It’s been compared to Oveckins shot when he was 17

Yeah no

 

[Maximus]

I've got the strangest feeling that Gorton needs to bring a #6 Ranger jersey for Hughes on draft night as I suspect the Debbies are going to get paranoid that we are going to get the better player in Kakko and so they are going to take him instead and leave us Hughes. Either one I'm more than fine with but how wild would that be if Debs throw the curveball and take Kakko instead? Not out of the question at all....

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Yeah no

Have you watched his goals??? To say his shot is a weakness or anything less than WELL above average is odd. You dont break the record for goals as a rookie with with an average shot..and every scouting report talks about his amazing shot. So i’m not sure what you’re talking about

 

[Lays]

Have you watched his goals???

Every single one and I’ve also watched 20+ games. Kakko has a good shot but it’s not elite, or even very good. Just good

His shot placement and goal scoring around the net is incredible though

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Every single one and I’ve also watched 20+ games. Kakko has a good shot but it’s not elite, or even very good. Just good

His shot placement and goal scoring around the net is incredible though

So i guess all the scouts are wrong.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

So i guess all the scouts are wrong.

Which scouts have compared his shot to OV?

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

and if Dallas and TB come on the 1sts that now has me excited.

Thats disgusting

 

[EEDAWGZ]

I've got the strangest feeling that Gorton needs to bring a #6 Ranger jersey for Hughes on draft night as I suspect the Debbies are going to get paranoid that we are going to get the better player in Kakko and so they are going to take him instead and leave us Hughes. Either one I'm more than fine with but how wild would that be if Debs throw the curveball and take Kakko instead? Not out of the question at all....

It’s possible, but it would just be a Hughes 19, for the draft year ,not 6

 

[LyNX27]

I've got the strangest feeling that Gorton needs to bring a #6 Ranger jersey for Hughes on draft night as I suspect the Debbies are going to get paranoid that we are going to get the better player in Kakko and so they are going to take him instead and leave us Hughes. Either one I'm more than fine with but how wild would that be if Debs throw the curveball and take Kakko instead? Not out of the question at all....

Drafting based on other teams is a losing strategy. If they get Kakko, it's because they want Kakko.

 

[gravey9]

I've only watched Kakko's highlights, but one thing that really stuck out to me. There almost no breakaway or odd man rush goals. Can someone who has seen him play explain this? I know he's a beast around the net and on the boards, has great agility and ridiculous puck handling but almost all his offense comes in the hockey equivalent of the half-court offense.

 

[Kshahdoo]

82 games 37 pts season 20 goals + 17 assist and no playoffs points so far in his first playoffs vs Caps playing right now - I can only write stats, because I`ve not seen a lot of Canes this season. But I`m watching them against the caps right now.

Kakko & Hughes are world class players - so short answer no one can answer it until Kakko play his first NHL season already next training camp in October. One thing is skills, but the player need show it and get the chance to develop as well.
I`m watching #37 Andrei Svechnikov right now so I will mainly look at him in this playoffs game.

Canes using #37 on their second PP unit at the moment - not sure why.

*Andrei had a good move there so he is very skilled almost goal!

He scored both Carolina goals, though...

 

[LOFIN]

I've only watched Kakko's highlights, but one thing that really stuck out to me. There almost no breakaway or odd man rush goals. Can someone who has seen him play explain this? I know he's a beast around the net and on the boards, has great agility and ridiculous puck handling but almost all his offense comes in the hockey equivalent of the half-court offense.

Well, Kakko isn't MacKinnon with his skating and breakaway goals or odd man rushes are much rarer in Liiga. In Finland (and Europe in general) we play much more organized and defense oriented game. Much less goals than in NHL.

 

[Ori]

He scored both Carolina goals, though...

#37 Andrei Svechnikov show flashes of skills and his first playoffs goal for the Cannes!

Woah that quick shot release #37 Andrei second goal 2-3 for Canes!!

Yes I was scouting him and I saw the game live and mainly focused on him playing and he scored two goals. I posted that before he played that playoffs game for Canes in a different topic. Andrei is a great power forward who is excellent to protect the puck with a quick accurate shot release. Personally I can see higher upsides in Kaapo Kakko compare to Andrei, and they are also completely different players concerning their skillset. And we will see next season for sure when he will play on that top 6 role with us Rangers.

If you read the prospect dicussion here on HF Boards - I`m not the only one who believe that, but we will see next season. Kakko has very high potential maybe wonderkid term we use in soccer, and he will more likely be the star Rangers have been looking for over 60+ years now.

Svechnikov vs Kappo

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Which scouts have compared his shot to OV?

Analyzing the Games Of Hughes and Kakko - MSGNetworks.com

“His one-timer from the right circle at this stage of his development is equal to that of Alex Ovechkin’s or Patrik Laine’s during their respective draft years.”


@Lays