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

[Harbour Dog]

The way this is playing out is exactly why I wanted the 2OA pick.

Hughes and Kakko are so close; and even though we all have some nerves about it, we're still getting a hell of a player.

The Devils board is freaking the f*** out, and will be for years to come.

 

[Draft Guru]

If Kakko scores 12 goals this tournament and Hughes throws up a goose egg, it won't change anything.

The Devils are taking Hughes number 1.

You take the player who you think is going to be the best guy long term.

Kakko may very well be the best player today - He's way more physically mature than Hughes at this age and has been playing against men all season. Him playing well, producing and not looking out of place at the World Championships is not surprising.

You go by the full body of work over the last few years, not based on one tournament just before the draft. Sure it's fun for the fans to watch this unfold and the media loves a good top of the draft competition, but Hughes hasn't done anything to lose his spot at number 1.

It's out of our control, anyway. I know every one here has gotten real attached to Kakko and are afraid of losing him, but it's not going to happen. And if it does? We would've all signed up for Jack Hughes the day before the draft lottery.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

If Kakko scores 12 goals this tournament and Hughes throws up a goose egg, it won't change anything.

The Devils are taking Hughes number 1.

You take the player who you think is going to be the best guy long term.

Kakko may very well be the best player today - He's way more physically mature than Hughes at this age and has been playing against men all season. Him playing well, producing and not looking out of place at the World Championships is not surprising.

You go by the full body of work over the last few years, not based on one tournament just before the draft. Sure it's fun for the fans to watch this unfold and the media loves a good top of the draft competition, but Hughes hasn't done anything to lose his spot at number 1.

It's out of our control, anyway. I know every one here has gotten real attached to Kakko and are afraid of losing him, but it's not going to happen. And if it does? We would've all signed up for Jack Hughes the day before the draft lottery.

While I agree with the overall point, a draft eligible player producing ar the worlds with the type of talent (or lack there of) around him is surprising.

5 goals in 2 games is pretty crazy, and it’s not like he did it against GB and France.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

He’s clearly still progressing and getting better. That being said, so has Hughes. He had a pretty nice first game. The kid can skate like the wind. We are absolutely privileged to be able to select either one of these players, I truly believe that.

 

[EdJovanovski]

If Kakko scores 12 goals this tournament and Hughes throws up a goose egg, it won't change anything.

The Devils are taking Hughes number 1.

You take the player who you think is going to be the best guy long term.

Kakko may very well be the best player today - He's way more physically mature than Hughes at this age and has been playing against men all season. Him playing well, producing and not looking out of place at the World Championships is not surprising.

You go by the full body of work over the last few years, not based on one tournament just before the draft. Sure it's fun for the fans to watch this unfold and the media loves a good top of the draft competition, but Hughes hasn't done anything to lose his spot at number 1.

It's out of our control, anyway. I know every one here has gotten real attached to Kakko and are afraid of losing him, but it's not going to happen. And if it does? We would've all signed up for Jack Hughes the day before the draft lottery.

Why do people think because Hughes is smaller now means he has more potential to grow? People are talking about them as if everyone ends up equal size, just because Kakko is bigger doesn’t mean Kakko is further into his physical development. Think of any short person you knew at 18, chances are they’re still short. And tall people you knew are still tall. And with Jack we have his older brother to go by who is still very small, Jack is always going to be small. Kakko is always going to be big.

The main argument about big/strong players dominating their peers based on that and not skill (such as Jake Virtanen) do not have any relevance with Kakko as he’s been playing with grown men. Kakko is going to get every bit as much bigger & stronger that Hughes is going to, Kakko is also very slender and is nowhere near filled out yet.

 

[Bob Richards]

 

[ijuka]

If Kakko scores 12 goals this tournament and Hughes throws up a goose egg, it won't change anything.

The Devils are taking Hughes number 1.

You take the player who you think is going to be the best guy long term.

Kakko may very well be the best player today - He's way more physically mature than Hughes at this age and has been playing against men all season. Him playing well, producing and not looking out of place at the World Championships is not surprising.

You go by the full body of work over the last few years, not based on one tournament just before the draft. Sure it's fun for the fans to watch this unfold and the media loves a good top of the draft competition, but Hughes hasn't done anything to lose his spot at number 1.

It's out of our control, anyway. I know every one here has gotten real attached to Kakko and are afraid of losing him, but it's not going to happen. And if it does? We would've all signed up for Jack Hughes the day before the draft lottery.

Bolded is absurdly faulty. It's honestly shocking reading nonsense like this. Players improve. If they were a lot worse a year ago but are at the same level now, that's BETTER for the person who was worse back then because they improved faster. It's bizarre how people can think the way you do. That's completely illogical.

Kakko's been in beast mode to end his Liiga season, and now at WHC. If you choose to ignore it, do so at your peril. If you choose to look at his September games to see how good he is now, you're going to be wasting your time.

Literally can't understand how people can think like this. Rapid improvement is a PLUS, not a minus. Thinking that a player can't be talented or good because they weren't as good 2 years ago is ridiculously illogical and, plainly, extremely stupid and unintelligent. Not that I'm surprised, either. "Sample size", "body of work"... Nonsense, both.

 

[Bluenote13]

Just getting to watching the game, another great goal that puts Finland ahead late in the game, and they win, KK with the Hatty, what a player.

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Bolded is absurdly faulty. It's honestly shocking reading nonsense like this. Players improve. If they were a lot worse a year ago but are at the same level now, that's BETTER for the person who was worse back then because they improved faster. It's bizarre how people can think the way you do. That's completely illogical.

Kakko's been in beast mode to end his Liiga season, and now at WHC. If you choose to ignore it, do so at your peril. If you choose to look at his September games to see how good he is now, you're going to be wasting your time.

Literally can't understand how people can think like this. Rapid improvement is a PLUS, not a minus. Thinking that a player can't be talented or good because they weren't as good 2 years ago is ridiculously illogical and, plainly, extremely stupid and unintelligent. Not that I'm surprised, either. "Sample size", "body of work"... Nonsense, both.

Agree. Consider how good you would be at ANYTHING, hockey included, at 17 years old vs early to mid 20s. At 17 you have half a brain and your body is no where near fully developed. Huge improvement is a massive plus because no one knows where it ends. Just shows how incredible his potential is.

 

[Captain Monglobster]

Literally can't understand how people can think like this. Rapid improvement is a PLUS, not a minus. Thinking that a player can't be talented or good because they weren't as good 2 years ago is ridiculously illogical and, plainly, extremely stupid and unintelligent. Not that I'm surprised, either. "Sample size", "body of work"... Nonsense, both.

Yea but what about hypothetically, or figuratively, shit even metaphorically??

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

As a reminder, it was literally two weeks ago that Hughes was just wrapping up a phenomenal run in the U18s, where he ended as the leading scorer with 9-11-20 in 7 GP...

 

[Lindberg Cheese]

I hope Kakko or Hughes will be available at 2

 

[Draft Guru]

Bolded is absurdly faulty. It's honestly shocking reading nonsense like this. Players improve. If they were a lot worse a year ago but are at the same level now, that's BETTER for the person who was worse back then because they improved faster. It's bizarre how people can think the way you do. That's completely illogical.

Kakko's been in beast mode to end his Liiga season, and now at WHC. If you choose to ignore it, do so at your peril. If you choose to look at his September games to see how good he is now, you're going to be wasting your time.

Literally can't understand how people can think like this. Rapid improvement is a PLUS, not a minus. Thinking that a player can't be talented or good because they weren't as good 2 years ago is ridiculously illogical and, plainly, extremely stupid and unintelligent. Not that I'm surprised, either. "Sample size", "body of work"... Nonsense, both.

Man, you completely missed my point.

I'm all in on Kakko. I've always been. Said months ago if I were picking I'd personally take him number 1. I like the way his game projects at the next level.

All I meant was if you're the Devils you don't take Kakko over Hughes because Kakko had a better tournament than Hughes right before the draft. That was it. You take into consideration the full body of work. Not make some decision based on recency bias.

Right now after 5 goals in 2 games Kakko is getting all the hype and the love all over forums and social media. A month ago when Jack Hughes had 20 points in 7 games at the U18, a tournament Kakko skipped to play with the senior team, the Hughes hype train was in full force. If the draft was held the day after the U18's, would Devils' fans be so up in arms like they are right now of who to take?

Thanks for the personal attack though.

 

[LemurFromTheId]

I hope Kakko or Hughes will be available at 2

"With our first selection in 2019 draft the New Jersey Devils are proud to welcome from U.S. National Development team Jack Hughes and from TPS Turku Kaapo Kakko."

 

[Bob Richards]

As a reminder, it was literally two weeks ago that Hughes was just wrapping up a phenomenal run in the U18s, where he ended as the leading scorer with 9-11-20 in 7 GP...

new hf account who this?

No, but for real if things change and the Devils switch it up a bit, Hughes is like the GOAT "consolation" prize you could ask for.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

This WC Kakko love is not recency bias. He's been on fire since the start of the season. He had one little mini slump that lasted a week or so. The Kakko you're seeing in Slovakia is the Kakko you saw in October, November, February, April etc etc, and will be the Kakko you see in 2021, 2025, etc. This isn't Jesse Puljujarvi waiting four months to wake up (with Aho's help BTW) in 2016.

There is no way Shero is locked in on Hughes. I will take it to my grave. No way an NHL GM watches both these kids that closely and dismisses what one kid is doing. Picking Hughes makes the most sense but there's no way Shero isn't wargaming the hell out of multiple post-draft scenarios that include taking Kakko.

Gorton is sleeping like a baby.

 

[nevesis]

Holy
f***.

 

[broadwayblue]

Why do people think because Hughes is smaller now means he has more potential to grow? People are talking about them as if everyone ends up equal size, just because Kakko is bigger doesn’t mean Kakko is further into his physical development. Think of any short person you knew at 18, chances are they’re still short. And tall people you knew are still tall. And with Jack we have his older brother to go by who is still very small, Jack is always going to be small. Kakko is always going to be big.

The main argument about big/strong players dominating their peers based on that and not skill (such as Jake Virtanen) do not have any relevance with Kakko as he’s been playing with grown men. Kakko is going to get every bit as much bigger & stronger that Hughes is going to, Kakko is also very slender and is nowhere near filled out yet.

The point is not whether Hughes will be as strong or stronger than Kakko, but rather stronger than he is now. Clearly most people expect that an 18 year old can add 20 pounds of muscle and perhaps another inch in height over the next couple years. If Hughes does in fact bulk up a bit he should be big and strong enough to become a franchise player since he already has a ridiculous skill set.

 

[Leetch3]

Holy
****.

there is an old xray gif that I'd like to post here. but pretty sure that would get me banned LOL

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

This WC Kakko love is not recency bias. He's been on fire since the start of the season. He had one little mini slump that lasted a week or so. The Kakko you're seeing in Slovakia is the Kakko you saw in October, November, February, April etc etc, and will be the Kakko you see in 2021, 2025, etc. This isn't Jesse Puljujarvi waiting four months to wake up (with Aho's help BTW) in 2016.

There is no way Shero is locked in on Hughes. I will take it to my grave. No way an NHL GM watches both these kids that closely and dismisses what one kid is doing. Picking Hughes makes the most sense but there's no way Shero isn't wargaming the hell out of multiple post-draft scenarios that include taking Kakko.

Gorton is sleeping like a baby.

At the end of the day, all things being equal, I don't believe Devils ownership would let Shero pass on Hughes if he even wanted to.

You forget just how much Hughes will sell tickets for the Devils. The next great American born center. Passing on him to essentially give him to the Rangers would cause a major backlash lol

 

[EdJovanovski]

The point is not whether Hughes will be as strong or stronger than Kakko, but rather stronger than he is now. Clearly most people expect that an 18 year old can add 20 pounds of muscle and perhaps another inch in height over the next couple years. If Hughes does in fact bulk up a bit he should be big and strong enough to become a franchise player since he already has a ridiculous skill set.

But Kakko is also going to be stronger than he is now, there is no evidence that Hughes is just a later bloomer developmentally than Kakko. If anything the opposite as his older brother is just as small as he is, it’s his genetics.

 

[AIexisLafreniereNYR]

This kid is going to wreck the NHL at 18 years old. Not that it matters on production. But I hope we sign Panarin to make things easier. Easily see 70+ pt rookie season.

 

[UnSandvich]

I hope Kakko or Hughes will be available at 2

(i hope they both are)

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

As a reminder, it was literally two weeks ago that Hughes was just wrapping up a phenomenal run in the U18s, where he ended as the leading scorer with 9-11-20 in 7 GP...

but thats because he was able to ride shotgun to tournament MVP Cole Caufield...

 

[Ori]

No doubts in my mind that Kakko is better, but I`m happy with Jack Hughes as #2 pick.