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

[Synergy27]

Yea, I think this tournament and shown those people (who likely never saw Kakko once in their life) that his potential is much higher than a 70 point player Unless of course they were talking about his rookie year

I think a lot of people saw Kakko in the WJCs at least. He’s on a different level entirely since then though. His performance at this tourney has been absurd.

 

[JCProdigy]

It is a step up from the “we’re going off the board!!!!” **** that was being posted 3 weeks ago.

Funny enough the same people would want the Rangers to go "off the board" and choose Kakko if they had the 1st overall pick.

Complain about the Rangers not going with the consensus in the past but now the same consensus really doesn't know what they are talking about because of (__insert reason here).

 

[Kovalev27]

My brain is having a hard time understanding in what world the NY Rangers get an 18 year old franchise player. Are we seriously getting kakko or Hughes? Will the hockey gods even allow this? We haven’t drafted a star forward in 50 plus years. Is it even allowed?

 

[Harbour Dog]

I hope the Devils draft the smarter of the two, so that in four years time we can sign him as a college free agent.

 

[Anzi]

When I last released my Rankings in April, I had it on good authority that Kakko sat first on about half a dozen teams’ boards. That may be closer to 15 after his recent play. When I last published Kakko was a hair behind Hughes. He’s now a hair ahead.

Recency Bias: People look at myself and others swapping Kakko ahead after a few WC games and point to recency bias. But that’s acting like I haven’t watched those two literally dozens of times the past two seasons – on film and in person. Kakko at #1 is more than just his recent play, it’s his entire package – which is incredibly strong across the board. I think he has the goods to produce 60+ points as a rookie next season all while being competent in his own end.

Ramblings: News and Notes, The WHL Final, Kakko, Leason, and Quinn Hughes (May 17)

60+ point rookie season prediction seems a bit ambitious but I'd be very okay with that!

 

[mike14]

Ramblings: News and Notes, The WHL Final, Kakko, Leason, and Quinn Hughes (May 17)

60+ point rookie season prediction seems a bit ambitious but I'd be very okay with that!

Would be pretty impressive. I have it as only Crosby, Kane, Matthew, Laine, MacKinnon and Skinner hitting 60+ in their first season after being drafted since 2000

 

[Ukkosenjumala]

If you look at the top end prospects for finland ever since 2011 when they started producing top end juniors again, they're practicly all late-risers. That's not a coincidence, the difference in exposure is definitely real even from Liiga to something like OHL or USNTDP but the bigger difference is from the junior leagues of finland to those. It's a national team development program, it's sole focus is to bring up and groom guys like Hughes. While it's impressive that he broke the all-time point record, I don't see it as some definite sign he's gonna be a superstar after all it is the USNTDP and the competition is what it is and in the top 10 there's also plenty of duds. I've also said it before that I think it's a little odd that Kakko is seen as representing "what have you done for me lately" mentality when he had the best pre-draft season in Liiga history and has won two golds.

Having said all that, just like most people I talk to, I would prefer Kakko to go 2nd. Better landing spot and perhaps it would tone down the anti-finnish rhetoric all over HF boards.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Personally, I think it might be more of a 30 goal/100 point vs. 40 goal/95 point debate if all goes well.

I dont think Kakko will be big in the assist category. Not saying he isnt brilliant with his passing sometimes but:

Id wager he hits 50 goals before he hits 70 assists, if you catch my drift

 

[Kovalev27]

So that article supports what I’ve been saying the gap continues to close dramatically. Where it is come draft night we don’t know. But if this kid continues to shine and help his team medal? A team with no real nhl talent? It’s going to move the needle further.

 

[Kovalev27]

I don’t see how jack Hughes becomes a 30 goal guy. Doesn’t have the shot. Doesn’t have the power or size to go hard to the net to chip in dirty goals. I think he’s a 20 plus goal guy but I don’t see 30 goals in his future.

I think he’s a slightly more talented Matt Barzal. Who unfortunately I think is just an absolute stud. Prob quicker in tight spaces with the puck. But neither of them are what you’d consider goal scorers.

Kakko I think is proving he can score from anywhere. He may not put up the sheer Pts of Hughes but I think he can be a 35 to 40 goal 40 to 45 assist type of guy while running you ragged in your own zone when he’s not running you over. And solid on both sides of the rink.

And most importantly I think kakko is the type of guy that can take over a playoff series where as Hughes may look like gaudreau just did come playoff time. Just not have the power to play thru

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

So that article supports what I’ve been saying the gap continues to close dramatically. Where it is come draft night we don’t know. But if this kid continues to shine and help his team medal? A team with no real nhl talent? It’s going to move the needle further.

It won't be NJ and we don't have a bunch of teams ahead of us who will take him.

R-E-L-A-X

 

[Kovalev27]

It won't be NJ and we don't have a bunch of teams ahead of us who will take him.

R-E-L-A-X

Who’s to say I’m not relaxed? I’m well aware that as I said earlier we are getting either Hughes or Kakko. We’re in the cat bird seat. No difficult decision to make. That’s as relaxing as can be. I’d prefer kakko and I think the devils may be starting to come around to that idea as well as the rest of the NHL universe. Secrets out perhaps is the only concern. But it’s like saying I’m concerned about what dessert I’m going to have tonight at a great restaurant. It’s silly

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Officially 5 weeks till Kakko day!!!! I mean draft day.

 

[Black Tank]

I don’t see how jack Hughes becomes a 30 goal guy. Doesn’t have the shot. Doesn’t have the power or size to go hard to the net to chip in dirty goals. I think he’s a 20 plus goal guy but I don’t see 30 goals in his future.

I think he’s a slightly more talented Matt Barzal. Who unfortunately I think is just an absolute stud. Prob quicker in tight spaces with the puck. But neither of them are what you’d consider goal scorers.

Kakko I think is proving he can score from anywhere. He may not put up the sheer Pts of Hughes but I think he can be a 35 to 40 goal 40 to 45 assist type of guy while running you ragged in your own zone when he’s not running you over. And solid on both sides of the rink.

And most importantly I think kakko is the type of guy that can take over a playoff series where as Hughes may look like gaudreau just did come playoff time. Just not have the power to play thru

I don't agree. I think if Hughes develops physically ala skinny Crosby to fully grown Crosby, he will score a lot of goals. Anyway, if you're on keto head over to the Debs forum to get your salt for the day. Dear lord are they ever in a tough spot with the only safe option being to go with the years long consensus pick of Hughes no matter what their eyes see.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I dont think Kakko will be big in the assist category. Not saying he isnt brilliant with his passing sometimes but:

Id wager he hits 50 goals before he hits 70 assists, if you catch my drift

Right, I'd say Kakko has 50/40/90 upside whereas Hughes has 30/70/100 upside. Kakko's assists could be boosted by deflections and rebounds, I guess.

 

[SA16]

So to be clear we've decided that Kakko > Hughes but also that we're far smarter than the Devils who by no means will also recognize this and draft him?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

So to be clear we've decided that Kakko > Hughes but also that we're far smarter than the Devils who by no means will also recognize this and draft him?

I see you are enjoying the logical leaps as much as I am.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

So to be clear we've decided that Kakko > Hughes but also that we're far smarter than the Devils who by no means will also recognize this and draft him?

Yes.

 

[LeetchisGod]

My brain is having a hard time understanding in what world the NY Rangers get an 18 year old franchise player. Are we seriously getting kakko or Hughes? Will the hockey gods even allow this? We haven’t drafted a star forward in 50 plus years. Is it even allowed?

It's like you're in my brain.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

It's like you're in my brain.

Let's trade the pick for Lucic.

 

[Emptyvoid]

Let's trade the pick for Lucic.

And suddenly i find myself with a lot more free time, no longer watching Rangers hockey

 

[LeetchisGod]

Let's trade the pick for Lucic.

I'd prefer Tanner Glass.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Hereis how I'm looking at it today.

Hughes is still the #1 pick because he is a natural center and that's what you build franchises around. When you have a chance to solidify the middle of the ice with a guy who can make almost any winger a scoring threat you take it. They are a very rare commodity.

Shero has gone for a lot of centers in the past. Crosby & Malkin namely, which landed him Cups. Obviously Hischier and Hughes aren't those guys but that is the basis of a winning team. In the 4 drafts he's been apart of for the Devils hes selected a center with his first pick all but once.

If you take Hughes and Kakko and insert them into each roster, to me, long-term the lineups with Hughes are the better ones. How Kakko/Hughes translate short-term and into the playoff game may be a different story. Hughes may help you get there consistently while Kakko may be the game breaker needed to help you advance and win it all.

Either way im thrilled the Rangers have a shot at either of these kids. I would prefer Kakko but im really warming up to Hughes and how he would give us something we havent had in a very long time. A true #1 playmaking center.

 

[Crease]

So to be clear we've decided that Kakko > Hughes but also that we're far smarter than the Devils who by no means will also recognize this and draft him?

I don't know who is better but if Kaako was American the Devils' decision would be much more difficult to predict.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I personally want Kakko for the same reasons you all do. But as a reminder:

USNTDP All-Time Points Leaders:

1	Jack Hughes	2017-19	197
2	Clayton Keller	2014-16	189
3	Phil Kessel	2003-05	180
4	Patrick Kane	2004-06	172
5	Jeremy Bracco	2013-15	168
6	Auston Matthews	2013-15	167
7	Andy Hilbert	1997-99	153
8	Cole Caufield	2017-19	149
9	Jack Eichel	2012-14	139
	Jeremy Morin	2007-09	139
10	Rocco Grimaldi	2009-11	136

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*as of March 25, 2019



WJC-U18 ‑ All-Time Points Leaders:

Rk	Name	Born	Pos	GP	G	A	P	PIM	+/-	PPG	SHG	GWG	G/GP	A/GP	P/GP
1		Jack Hughes	2001	F	14	14	18	32	10	13	2	0	2	1.000	1.286	2.286
2		Alexander Ovechkin	1985	F	14	23	8	31	6	27	6	1	1	1.643	0.571	2.214
3		Teemu Pulkkinen	1992	F	12	17	11	28	14	7	8	0	4	1.417	0.917	2.333
4		Phil Kessel	1987	F	12	16	10	26	8	13	7	2	5	1.333	0.833	2.167
5		Kevin Romy	1985	F	14	13	13	26	8	12	7	0	3	0.929	0.929	1.857
6		Mikael Granlund	1992	F	12	6	20	26	4	9	2	0	1	0.500	1.667	2.167
7		Andrei Kostitsyn	1985	F	20	13	12	25	50	-21	6	2	1	0.650	0.600	1.250
8		Evgeny Kuznetsov	1992	F	14	11	14	25	16	15	1	1	0	0.786	1.000	1.786
9		Cole Caufield	2001	F	14	18	6	24	4	14	6	0	2	1.286	0.429	1.714
10		Toni Rajala	1991	F	12	13	11	24	8	8	2	2	3	1.083	0.917	2.000
11		Clayton Keller	1998	F	14	8	15	23	2	18	1	0	0	0.571	1.071	1.643
12		Auston Matthews	1997	F	14	13	9	22	4	18	1	0	3	0.929	0.643	1.571
13		Konstantin Zakharov	1985	F	19	6	16	22	32	-16	3	1	1	0.316	0.842	1.158
14		Nikita Kucherov	1993	F	7	11	10	21	6	10	5	1	4	1.571	1.429	3.000
15		Jakub Vrana	1996	F	18	14	6	20	10	0	1	0	4	0.778	0.333	1.111
16		Ilya Kovalchuk	1983	F	12	13	7	20	32	17	2	2	2	1.083	0.583	1.667
17		Artturi Lehkonen	1995	F	14	10	9	19	18	5	4	0	2	0.714	0.643	1.357
18		Marian Gaborik	1982	F	13	9	10	19	14	9	1	1	1	0.692	0.769	1.462
19		Kristian Vesalainen	1999	F	14	8	11	19	14	13	2	0	0	0.571	0.786	1.357
20		William Nylander	1996	F	12	8	11	19	2	10	3	0	2	0.667	0.917	1.583

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