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

[eco's bones]

Personally I believe Kakko is the most NHL ready draft year prospect Finland has ever produced. League wasn't prepared for Laine, which helped his point totals, but I boldly predict that Kakko will be 55 to 65 point player his rookie year assuming he gets top 6 and 2nd pp role from the get go.

If Kaapo has a a 55 to 65 point rookie season he won't be on the second power play for us he'll be on the first. Just saying. Those kind of numbers and he would have been second on our team in scoring last year.

On the subject of how well he might do--the top 4 last year:

1. Dahlin 82 games played-9 goals-35 assists-44 points.
2. Svechnikov 82 games played-20 goals-17 assists-37 points.
3. Kotkaniemi 79 games played 11 goals-23 assists-34 points.
4. Tkachuk 71 games played-22 goals-23 assists-45 points.

IMO Kakko's a better player than Svechnikov, Kotkaniemi and Tkachuk and there's no reason to believe he can't have a similar if not even better impact on our offense next year as say Tkachuk had with Ottawa.

 

[darko]

Hope you guys get Hughes hes franchise center.

Hope you trade 1st overall.

 

[darko]

He’s ours, don’t worry.

You don't know this lol.

 

[Fugazy]

You don't know this lol.

I’m aware. I’m just trying to talk people off the ledge and not worry about something that the Rangers can’t control.

 

[Polar Bear]

I’m aware. I’m just trying to talk people off the ledge and not worry about something that the Rangers can’t control.

As if landing Hughes at 2 is a nightmare scenario. Lmao

 

[darko]

I’m aware. I’m just trying to talk people off the ledge and not worry about something that the Rangers can’t control.

They shouldn't be on the ledge in 1st place because now they are just acting like spoiled brats. There are 2 elite players in this draft. People should feel fortunate that we have a chance to grab one of them.

 

[darko]

As if landing Hughes at 2 is a nightmare scenario. Lmao

Oh the horrors.

 

[rangerfan_79]

June 21st can't come fast enough for this thread. Just thankful we have a top 2 pick with 2 franchise players in the draft. No pressure being we get whoever is left of the 2.

 

[Gardner McKay]

As if landing Hughes at 2 is a nightmare scenario. Lmao

It isn't a nightmare. I think we create the illusion that Kakko might actually go 1st overall in order make ourselves feel better about having 2nd overall.

I'd be thrilled with either player. Would I prefer Kakko? Absolutely and that is because I have paid more attention to him after winning 2nd overall in the draft lottery. If we won 1st overall I would like prefer Hughes as I would be paying a significant amount more attention to him.

 

[JCProdigy]

It isn't a nightmare. I think we create the illusion that Kakko might actually go 1st overall in order make ourselves feel better about having 2nd overall.

I'd be thrilled with either player. Would I prefer Kakko? Absolutely and that is because I have paid more attention to him after winning 2nd overall in the draft lottery. If we won 1st overall I would like prefer Hughes as I would be paying a significant amount more attention to him.

Isn't it amazing how human psychology works? I could write a post grad thesis using this thread. I mean, unless I was laced with drugs for the preceding 8 months before the draft lottery, I distinctly remember this board containing a multitude of posts on:
- The Rangers will never get a player like Hughes.
- Tanking for Hughes. "Lose for Hughes".
- Hughes has the skill to be a franchise center and he's the type a guy that makes everyone around him play better.
- etc etc etc.

Of course there were some posters that were singing the praises of Kakko, like @Amazing Kreiderman and @ManUtdTobbe all along but man did this board change it's collective mind once we landed in the no 2. spot. I mean, I get it but it's just fascinating.

 

[InTheShift]

Of course there were some posters that were singing the praises of Kakko, like @Amazing Kreiderman and @ManUtdTobbe all along but man did this board change it's collective mind once we landed in the no 2. spot. I mean, I get it but it's just fascinating.

That’s only because they’re....dun dun dunnnn...European.

JK, respect the hell out of both Stephen and Tobbe.

 

[Trxjw]

Hughes is the best player in the draft. Kakko is nipping at his heels, but if the Devils pass on the consensus #1 talent I will gladly take him.

People get too hung up on getting the undisputed best player, and a lot of folks are trying very hard to convince themselves that the Rangers are getting a better player than their rivals. Both players are franchise caliber talents and both will alter the trajectory of the team they play for. Hughes just projects to be a slightly more impactful player because he's a center and is absolutely dominant offensively before he's grown into a man's body.

 

[Inferno]

Laine is basically a trash player if he isn’t scoring....the guy has got a once in a generation shot...it’s incredible, and his size opens up space for him to use it..but if he’s not shooting the puck he’s a big steaming pile of worthlessness.

I’ll take a 30 goal scorer who impacts the game when he isn’t scoring over a 40 goal scorer who does crap all else.

 

[Inferno]

I’d much rather hav a pose off jack Hughes with a chip on his shoulder at 2oa versus kappo kakko..with that said...man has kakko been impressive as heck.

 

[Bob Richards]

The Rangers might not have a choice in this but the bright side is they don't have a choice in this

As bizarre as it seems it also feels a bit reassuring lol

 

[Hire Sather]

It's crazy that we're almost better off at 2 than 1

 

[Rongomania]

It's crazy that we're almost better off at 2 than 1

Things finally went our f***in’ way.

Feels nice and about damn time.

 

[Whoot Whoot]

I think the only uncertainty with the devils is they passed on Nolan Patrick and that seemed a pretty certain #1 at the time

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I think the only uncertainty with the devils is they passed on Nolan Patrick and that seemed a pretty certain #1 at the time

He was the certain number one for like two months, Nico made it an argument early and only got better as the year wore on. It was no surprise when they called his name first, at least it wasn’t to me.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

That’s only because they’re....dun dun dunnnn...European.

JK, respect the hell out of both Stephen and Tobbe.

Actually, there's some truth to it. Tobias and I both live in Europe, and focus more on European hockey because of it. It's only natural. Having said that, we both saw Kakko do things we haven't seen in Liiga in years. Kakko is the type of player you fall in love with when you watch him play regularly and to me his performance in the Worlds does not come as a surprise

 

[SnowFort]

The most surprising thing Kakko has done is making me, a Swede, wanting to watch Finland’s games over Sweden’s games. It’s truly horrifying.

 

[darko]

The most surprising thing Kakko has done is making me, a Swede, wanting to watch Finland’s games over Sweden’s games. It’s truly horrifying.

Scandinavians should stick together.

 

[jonu]

Laine is basically a trash player if he isn’t scoring....the guy has got a once in a generation shot...it’s incredible, and his size opens up space for him to use it..but if he’s not shooting the puck he’s a big steaming pile of worthlessness.

I’ll take a 30 goal scorer who impacts the game when he isn’t scoring over a 40 goal scorer who does crap all else.

You obviously didn't watch Jets in the playoffs then.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Scandinavians should stick together.

Shut up. Stop triggering me!

 

[Maximus]

Simple question: All things being equal, if we had ended up with the #1 overall pick, who do you think Gorton would take...Kakko or Hughes?

I contend Gorton would take Kakko as I believe he would want the most NHL ready player but I'd love to read your opinions.