The NHL Entry Draft is just weeks away now.
The IIHF World Championship is being played out in Slovakia, and Jack Hughes, the presumptive New Jersey Devils’ number one pick, Kaapo Kakko, the 1a pick of the draft, are showing their wares.
So far, Kakko has the upper hand in this tournament; Kakko has six goals and seven points through seven games for Finland.
Pro Hockey News’ Brian Jennings has Hughes going to the New Jersey Devils with the first pick in the draft, leaving the New York Rangers in the second spot with the enviable position of picking Kakko.
Kakko, 6’2″, 200 pounds, has been playing in the Finnish Liiga this season, meaning he has been icing against full grown adult players.
The 18-year old has put up good numbers in his season with TPS; Kakko has posted 38 points in 45 games, he’s potted 22 goals in those numbers.
Let’s take a step back and look at the Rangers. In February 2018, the club’s management pulled the plug on the season and announced the Rangers would be in rebuild mode until a competitive club could be iced in Manhattan.
David Quinn was hired away from Boston University and took over for the fired Alain Vigneault.
Quinn’s task was easy, develop a young roster of potential stars. Nothing over the top or anything.
Well, Quinn made the Rangers competitive and despite the near roster-wide inexperience, the club was not an embarrassment. They finished the season 32-36-14 and were eliminated from the playoff race with about three weeks to go in the campaign.
There remain a number of overpaid veterans on the roster but the Rangers have managed to place a younger prospect behind each of them, biting at their heels.
Hughes has had a stellar career in the Junior ranks with the US National Developmental team. He would be a great fir for the Rangers, but he is with the Devils in our Mock Draft.
That “leaves” Kakko for the Rangers. His size, combined with his puck aggression, speed and hockey IQ, may see Kakko on Broadway in October.
The negative to Kakko is the short season played on the international stages. An 82-game season can be a grind for the uninitiated.
Quinn is expected to be able to manage a prospect like Kakko and braid him into the lineup.
“With the second pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the New York Rangers select Kaapo Kakko of TPS in the Finnish Liiga”
The Chicago Blackhawks are on the clock.
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