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

[True Blue]

Really? Nash had 8 30-goal seasons including 3 40-goal seasons. Nash was a very good player.

Nash was a powerhouse player. Not a leader and did not like the spot light. If he had a Toews in Columbus, his career would have been remembered a lot differently.

If Kakko is a more physically engaged version of a healthy Nash, you are talking about an outstanding player.

 

[True Blue]

Yes, multiple times.

Does he really have the seer mean streak that Forsberg had? It is one thing to engage physically, it is another to arrive to the puck in ill humor.

 

[True Blue]

This just proves to me you haven't watched Kakko play at all.

# WeNeverGetaGoodScout

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

DONE. We are now an official powerhouse. Now bring us the Cup.

Just one?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Does he really have the seer mean streak that Forsberg had? It is one thing to engage physically, it is another to arrive to the puck in ill humor.

I don't know enough about either player to answer that question.

 

[True Blue]

Before Nash even came to New York, one of the warnings was that he wanted to be "just one of the guys" and not necessarily "the guy."

Frankly, we're going to need Kakko to be "the guy" and not just "one of the guys" if we're more likely to be successful.

Unfortunately, I don't think Kakko being "very good" will produce the result we're hoping for. I think he'll have to be more than that.

While I do agree with everything that you said, I am just going to highlight something. When we say that we will need Kakko to be "the guy", I agree that when it comes to on ice play, at some point he is going to be expected to be the straw that stirs the drink. Where I draw a distinction is that being "the guy" does not mean that the Rangers will need for him to be the leader of the team.

 

[True Blue]

Just one?

You are right. Why sell ourselves short?

 

[007]

I think Korpikosi was Kakko’s teammate for a brief moment, funnily enough

This season, in fact. They're from the same hometown, Turku, and both came up through the TPS ranks. The Korpedo plays at TPS again.

The really funny thing is, although the Rangers rarely seem to draft Finns, if we draft Kakko, we'll have 4 prospects we've drafted out of TPS: Kakko, Pajuniemi, Virta, and Reunanen.

(That's off the top of my head, if I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me.)

 

[007]

Does he really have the seer mean streak that Forsberg had? It is one thing to engage physically, it is another to arrive to the puck in ill humor.

I'd be interested in this from people who've seen more of Kakko than I. It seems to me that Kakko engages physically to protect the puck, but does he initiate contact that much? Foppa had serious snarl and could lay some big hits.

 

[mas0764]

Thats great for the teams picking 3-8 can hope for, Kakko we should hope will be a much better player than only hitting 70 points once in his career.

That's my take.

I liked Rick Nash as a Ranger. I think the trade of Dubinski, Anisimov, Erixon, and a first was a smart trade on our part. The Rangers had lots of B level talent and needed another A level talent. Consolidation from an area of excess is a smart move. Nash was available and wanted to play here. He was still young-ish (he was able to give us 6 seasons, essentially, and were it not for head injuries and the breakdown of the team I think he could have lasted a good deal longer at reduced effectiveness). He was able to bring us quality, win-driving primary scoring when he was on, and he always played good defense, despite his all-too-often offensive slumps here.

But at the end of the day being a 30+ goal scorer who is not contributing to scores by also creating and getting assists, leaves something to be desired. Not that any player in that draft -- or even most drafts -- ends up any better than Rick Nash in their career. But when you are picking first overall -- or in our position, where you are picking second but with the premise that the second player is also a franchise-changing super stud -- you really want a guy to carry the team on his back for 10+ years. You want 40 assists to go with the 30 goals, even during "off" years. You want the peak to be more like 90-100 points, not 60-70. Nash only had two seasons where he was a point per game player.

We're sitting here talking about how Kakko is going to be the franchise-changing talent we've needed since Messier and Leetch, the talent that we lacked when we couldn't get over the hump from 2012-15. Well, that's not really Rick Nash. Rick Nash wasn't able to get us over that hump. I'm not blaming him, but we really needed, like, prime Marian Gaborik on this team as well -- a guy who had 5 seasons in a row at over a PPG. Even he topped out at 86 points in a season and by age 28 was not the same.

Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but the level of pre-draft hype and projection regarding Hughes and Kakko is way higher than normal. Experts don't seem to be saying that these guys are Ryan Nugent Hopkins and Gabe Landeskog. They don't seem to be saying that these guys are Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick. I feel like we are hearing these guys are Matthews/Laine except maybe better. I don't want to say McDavid, but certainly Eichel.

I feel like my expectations are in the Stamkos/Tavares level. Nash wasn't that.

Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but based on the hype I'm hearing (I'm no scout, I'm just reading reports), that's where I'm getting the feeling these guys are projecting towards (talent level, not style comparison).

 

[mas0764]

Good old Peter really is the closest stylistic comparison, and I'm not saying this lightheartedly. Which is also probably the main reason I'd like to see the NYR to complete his transitioning to center, especially given the success Kakko's already had playing the position along his traits which all seem perfectly carved out for a future #1C (franchise one with the current development trajectory).

Kakko seems like the best prospect coming out from the draft year and for once I'm so so glad for the early hype towards the Hughes camp as otherwise the chances for Rangers to get to draft someone like him would diminish significantly. Lets just keep our fingers crossed that this doesn't turn out the year Finland gets it's first ever 1st overall.

Would love it if Kakko could actually be a center.

Again, I'm no scout. I know basically nothing other than what I read.

But a guy his size, with his scoring and passing ability.... if he was a center.... OMG

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

This season, in fact. They're from the same hometown, Turku, and both came up through the TPS ranks. The Korpedo plays at TPS again.

The really funny thing is, although the Rangers rarely seem to draft Finns, if we draft Kakko, we'll have 4 prospects we've drafted out of TPS: Kakko, Pajuniemi, Virta, and Reunanen.

(That's off the top of my head, if I'm wrong, please feel free to correct me.)

And UFA Georgiev

 

[broadwayblue]

Just one?

Let's start with one.

 

[romba]

Yes. In fairness, many of the other highly rated young players have graduated from prospect status.

Convenient time for that ranking lol. Best prospects from prior drafts were almost assuredly playing in the NHL this past season and therefore already graduated, and the draft of the next crop of elite prospects has not occurred yet. Fair to say that he would not be number 1 in 3 months from now, and same for 5+ months ago as well. His strong season helped but not enough to garner 'best prospect in the world' accolades.

Still pretty sweet!

 

[mas0764]

https://www.tsn.ca/russian-wingers-top-tsn-s-ranking-of-nhl-affiliated-prospects-1.1241872

View attachment 215493

I love seeing Kravtsov and soon to be Ranger Adam Fox on that list, while NOT seeing Islander Oliver Walhstrom.

I was one of the annoyed posters last year when we passed on Walhstrom. Glad to be wrong.

 

[mas0764]

Nash was a powerhouse player. Not a leader and did not like the spot light. If he had a Toews in Columbus, his career would have been remembered a lot differently.

Or if he had a Toews in NY.

 

[Rongomania]

I love seeing Kravtsov and soon to be Ranger Adam Fox on that list, while NOT seeing Islander Oliver Walhstrom.

I was one of the annoyed posters last year when we passed on Walhstrom. Glad to be wrong.

Good for Krav. Hoping he becomes our Malkin, to whomever we take at 2. Things shaking out our way is so weird for me - still.

 

[chosen]

i dont see the nash/kakko thing at all. that thought makes me want to draft hughes.

nash was always very mechanical and seemed to play more of a finesse game nearer the walls, especially when he was here mostly stealing money from the organization.

nash couldn't hit the water from the beach most nights. his shot was a limp noodle and he seemed to go 6 hole every time he had a shot. even at his NYR best, nash always looked like a secondary player to me.

i really hope KK is nothing like rick nash. i see more young jagr or kovalev there. hoping im right.

You're describing Nash after he had played 8 seasons in Columbus. Nash was an outstanding player on a terrible team, there. When he played for Canada in World Cups, he was unbelievably good, and in at least one of the tournaments, the best player on the ice. While being a limp noodle on the Rangers he scored 42. Concussions also took their toll.

The constant trashing of him here is comical in its inaccuracy.

 

[Gardner McKay]

Am I the only person here that is going to be nervous right up until Gordie makes the selection? I mean, Kakko (if available) is a lock at #2. He should be and deep down, I know Hughes or Kakko will be a Ranger on June 21. That isn't stopping me from envisioning this scenario where Gordie goes to the podium says "The New York Rangers are proud to select from SKA St. Petersburg, Vasily Podkolzin".

Do you blame me?

 

[Ghost of jas]

Am I the only person here that is going to be nervous right up until Gordie makes the selection? I mean, Kakko (if available) is a lock at #2. He should be and deep down, I know Hughes or Kakko will be a Ranger on June 21. That isn't stopping me from envisioning this scenario where Gordie goes to the podium says "The New York Rangers are proud to select from SKA St. Petersburg, Vasily Podkolzin".

Do you blame me?

The Rangers are essentially doing PR with Kakko already. I think your fears are unwarranted.

 

[Thirty One]

Am I the only person here that is going to be nervous right up until Gordie makes the selection? I mean, Kakko (if available) is a lock at #2. He should be and deep down, I know Hughes or Kakko will be a Ranger on June 21. That isn't stopping me from envisioning this scenario where Gordie goes to the podium says "The New York Rangers are proud to select from SKA St. Petersburg, Vasily Podkolzin".

Do you blame me?

I:
1. Think that's irrational and an unfounded worry.
2. Feel the same way and don't blame you.

I still remember vividly that feeling when Gordie said: "from the Moose Jaw Warriors..."

 

[Thirty One]

The Rangers are essentially doing PR with Kakko already. I think your fears are unwarranted.

What do you mean?

 

[Ghost of jas]

What do you mean?

Quinn is being interviewed about him. Valiquette putting out the video discussing the two potential available players at 2.

Plus, if Gorton is truly looking to ‘speed up’ the rebuild, he’s not taking the player that might not be here for another two years, when Kakko is likely the most NHL-ready prospect in the draft. Then, there’s the whole matter of Kakko being the consensus #2 prospect on McKenzie’s list, knowing Clark is one of Bobby Mac’s sources.

 

[Thirty One]

Quinn is being interviewed about him. Valiquette putting out the video discussing the two potential available players at 2.

Plus, if Gorton is truly looking to ‘speed up’ the rebuild, he’s not taking the player that might not be here for another two years, when Kakko is likely the most NHL-ready prospect in the draft. Then, there’s the whole matter of Kakko being the consensus #2 prospect on McKenzie’s list, knowing Clark is one of Bobby Mac’s sources.

I hadn't thought of that. All 10 of McKenzie's scouts had Kakko #2.

 

[Edge]

Am I the only person here that is going to be nervous right up until Gordie makes the selection? I mean, Kakko (if available) is a lock at #2. He should be and deep down, I know Hughes or Kakko will be a Ranger on June 21. That isn't stopping me from envisioning this scenario where Gordie goes to the podium says "The New York Rangers are proud to select from SKA St. Petersburg, Vasily Podkolzin".

Do you blame me?

I honestly feel incredibly calm about the second pick.

What gets me adrenaline going is the effort to get a second top 10.

If landing Kakko alone gives us a chance to have an amazing draft, landing Kakko and a guy we originally were interested in has a chance to make it a milestone draft that we point to for the next 15 years.