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

[GoAwayPanarin]

This is true, but my overall point is that it wasn’t exactly an off the board pick, and picking at 9 is a different universe of a situation than the top 2.

Yeah Kravstov wasn't off the board at all. Forget the analysts, a bunch of NHL teams don't have a solid scouting base in Russia.

We weren't the only team that had him top 10 either.

Lias had the great luck of being the first pick in the grouping after what was seen as the best players in that draft. He wasn't the guy who I wanted (I was all aboard the Suzuki train) but he wasn't exactly "off the board" either.

 

[Edge]

There’s no real mystery who the top two players are.

We pick second.

No mystery.

Now if we were picking third, or our original sixth spot, we’re talking about a number of possibilities.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

There’s no real mystery who the top two players are.

We pick second.

No mystery.

Now if we were picking third, or our original sixth spot, we’re talking about a number of possibilities.

I could go one step further.

The no 2 spot is the only spot this draft where there is no debate afterwards.

No 1: Hughes or Kakko
No 3 and lower: Several players who are in the conversation

 

[Edge]

I could go one step further.

The no 2 spot is the only spot this draft where there is no debate afterwards.

No 1: Hughes or Kakko
No 3 and lower: Several players who are in the conversation

That was the running joke prior to the lottery as well - the second pick was the harmonious pick.

There was no debate. We wouldn’t be the team who has to choose between Hughes and Kakko, and we wouldn’t be the team who has to choose from among everyone else.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

There’s no real mystery who the top two players are.

We pick second.

No mystery.

Now if we were picking third, or our original sixth spot, we’re talking about a number of possibilities.

If we had 3, we’d be yelling for one of Byram, Cozens/Dach or Turcotte/Zegras and end up with Podkolzin.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

If we had 3, we’d be yelling for one of Byram, Cozens/Dach or Turcotte/Zegras and end up with Podkolzin.

At least then they’d be sticking to the ‘consensus’

 

[Edge]

If we had 3, we’d be yelling for one of Byram, Cozens/Dach or Turcotte/Zegras and end up with Podkolzin.

The team picking third is going to have all eyes upon them; they’re potentially setting the table for the rest of the top 10.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Now that I think about it, would anyone be surprised if we trade back into the top 10 and ended up taking Podkolzin with one of the centers still on the board?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If we had 3, we’d be yelling for one of Byram, Cozens/Dach or Turcotte/Zegras and end up with Podkolzin.

The fact that you list 6 names here just proves what an amazingly difficult pick no 3 is going to be

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Now that I think about it, would anyone be surprised if we trade back into the top 10 and ended up taking Podkolzin with one of the centers still on the board?

I wouldn’t be surprised, I wouldn’t be mad, but I also wouldn’t be happy

 

[Fugazy]

The fact that you list 6 names here just proves what an amazingly difficult pick no 3 is going to be

Very glad we don't have to debate from that position.

 

[Polar Bear]

Now that I think about it, would anyone be surprised if we trade back into the top 10 and ended up taking Podkolzin with one of the centers still on the board?

I would, only because Pod cannot come over for at least 2 years. I don’t know if the Rangers want to wait that long on someone they would be moving up for.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I would, only because Pod cannot come over for at least 2 years. I don’t know if the Rangers want to wait that long on someone they would be moving up for.

Podkolzin is signed for another 2 seasons. That doesn't mean he cannot come over. KHL players have the option to buy out their KHL contract as long as they do it at least 18 months before the contract expires

 

[Irishguy42]

Every fanbase of a team that has the first or second overall picks will always worry about the team going off the board with their pick. And it pretty much never happens.

Relax. They're picking one of Hughes or Kakko.

 

[Synergy27]

For posterity, I’ll reiterate here that if the Rangers pick anyone other than Kakko at #2 I am seriously finished as a fan. I will do the rational thing and pick a team that has players that I like on it.

 

[Irishguy42]

For posterity, I’ll reiterate here that if the Rangers pick anyone other than Kakko at #2 I am seriously finished as a fan. I will do the rational thing and pick a team that has players that I like on it.

So if the Devils pick Kakko at #1 and the Rangers pick Hughes, you're gone?

 

[Polar Bear]

Podkolzin is signed for another 2 seasons. That doesn't mean he cannot come over. KHL players have the option to buy out their KHL contract as long as they do it at least 18 months before the contract expires

When has a player actually bought out their contract though? It’s on them and not as if the team can pay for it. I’m also pretty sure he has said he wants to play out the contract.

I’m also a bit worried about Pod’s production in general but that’s a different issue entirely.

 

[Polar Bear]

Every fanbase of a team that has the first or second overall picks will always worry about the team going off the board with their pick. And it pretty much never happens.

Relax. They're picking one of Hughes or Kakko.

I don’t know why we’re even worrying when freaking Bob said we’re taking Kakko.

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

I don’t know why we’re even worrying when freaking Bob said we’re taking Kakko.

Friedman also said the draft really starts at 3 FWIW

 

[Polar Bear]

Friedman also said the draft really starts at 3 FWIW

Ehhh, once Bob said what he said I don’t care what anyone else has to say, especially since we know Bob uses the Rangers as one of his “scouts.”

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

Ehhh, once Bob said what he said I don’t care what anyone else has to say, especially since we know Bob uses the Rangers as one of his “scouts.”

Yeah, I just mean that the 2 top insiders are saying 1 and 2 are already set for the draft

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

When has a player actually bought out their contract though? It’s on them and not as if the team can pay for it. I’m also pretty sure he has said he wants to play out the contract.

I’m also a bit worried about Pod’s production in general but that’s a different issue entirely.

What Podkolzin has said was that he does not want to come over if he isn't ready to play in the NHL. If a team feels comfortable bringing him over, he can buy out his contract.

Player-elected buy outs happen from time to time in the KHL, for various reasons.

My reservations regarding Podkolzin are not because of his contract situation. It's his lack of performance in the MHL and VHL. He just isn't that good unless he plays for the national team.

 

[Polar Bear]

What Podkolzin has said was that he does not want to come over if he isn't ready to play in the NHL. If a team feels comfortable bringing him over, he can buy out his contract.

Player-elected buy outs happen from time to time in the KHL, for various reasons.

I guess, I just don’t think that he is ready and I think there are other options I’d rather have in a move up. I like the talent but I have serious concerns about his production.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Ehhh, once Bob said what he said I don’t care what anyone else has to say, especially since we know Bob uses the Rangers as one of his “scouts.”

He has in the past 2 drafts at least, I don't know if he is doing so again this year but if he is, we're safe.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I guess, I just don’t think that he is ready and I think there are other options I’d rather have in a move up. I like the talent but I have serious concerns about his production.

99% outside the top-2 needs 2 years before they are NHL ready. You aren't getting an NHL ready player by trading up