Todd Cordell: More thoughts on Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko

Hughes will be the better player.

Kakko might be ( might be ) better now because he is more mature size wize...
your not drafting for now .yout drafting for the future. 17yr olds vs 18 yr olds.

Hughes is USA made and more marketable. NYR dont need the market NJ does.

Hughes plays center .

Hughes game based on speed and skating ( that will not change )
Kakko on power.

Hughes will get bigger .Kakko will not.

WITH SHEROS TIES TO THE HUGHES FAMILY THIS IS A DONE DEAL...and I agree.....

You dont pass on JACK HUGHES.

Team Hughes all the way. Have to go with the Center.

Hughes will be the better player.

Kakko might be ( might be ) better now because he is more mature size wize...
your not drafting for now .yout drafting for the future. 17yr olds vs 18 yr olds.

Hughes is USA made and more marketable. NYR dont need the market NJ does.

Hughes plays center .

Hughes game based on speed and skating ( that will not change )
Kakko on power.

Hughes will get bigger .Kakko will not.

WITH SHEROS TIES TO THE HUGHES FAMILY THIS IS A DONE DEAL...and I agree.....

You dont pass on JACK HUGHES.
- thechezman

Centers can make everyone around them better. This is a no brainer.

1-2 down the middle of Nico and Hughes to build a team around has to be what the team goes for.

I’m just here to laugh at the Flyers for drafting Nolan “my Uncle played so I must be worth a lottery pick” Patrick.

1-2 down the middle of Nico and Hughes to build a team around has to be what the team goes for.
- Pomegrant

Yup. Pretty exciting for devils fans going forward, center shouldn’t be a problems for the next decade. Hughes Nico going forward is slick.

Team Hughes all the way. Have to go with the Center.
- drew18

Yeah, my conclusion is Hughes as well. I'm just saying Kakko is really damn good and it's closer than most seem to think.

Todd- With Byrams playoff performance, do you think Kakko is a sure thing for #2?

I’m just here to laugh at the Flyers for drafting Nolan “my Uncle played so I must be worth a lottery pick” Patrick.
- Za Warudo

Nolan Patrick is going to be a very, very good hockey player for a lot of years, but yeah, (frank) the Flyers.

Nice write up per usual Todd.

I am fully on the Hughes train but on the off-chance that the Devils select Kaako I won’t burn my house down... probably.

With that being said, unless the Devs are confident that Kaako can play center, I think you have to take Hughes. Like you said, having Nico and Hughes down the center for years to come is too good to pass up.

Todd- With Byrams playoff performance, do you think Kakko is a sure thing for #2?
- smellmyfinger

I'm not Todd, but I think the Rangers cant pass on Kakko. Especially since a rival is taking Hughes (presumably). If Hughes and Kakko become beasts the Rangers lose, even if Byram is a stud.

Another 3 goals for Kakko today, 5 goals in 2 games. He is playing unreal, absolute beast with the puck on his stick, he's a special player for sure. He is certainly trying his best to atleast make it a tough decision for Shero so far, a lot of tournament left to go though

Another super impressive game for Kakko. I really hope the US coaching staff lets the leash off Hughes moving forward. I get that he's a 17 year old on a team full of seasoned NHL players, but selfishly I'm mainly watching these IIHF games for Hughes and Kakko.

Make that a hatty for Kakko. 5 goals in two games. May need a post WC revised Hughes v Kakko blog from Todd if Kakko keeps this up.

Kakko is starting to sway me. Hard to deny what he's doing.

The new oilers... yeah I’m bitter. More bitter about NYR though 😡

What about trading for Quinn Hughes at the draft?

The new oilers... yeah I’m bitter. More bitter about NYR though 😡
- KINGS67

noice

What about trading for Quinn Hughes at the draft?
- shoobedevil

Don't know that the Devils have the assets to make a sensible trade with them. I mean you can throw future firsts at them to make up the gap, but I never feel comfortable trading future firsts until you're mid season.

What about trading for Quinn Hughes at the draft?
- shoobedevil

Hischier?

The new oilers... yeah I’m bitter. More bitter about NYR though 😡
- KINGS67

this is the highest Rangers draft pick in 50 years, get over it

Anyone catch USA / France? From what I've read online seems like a meh game from Hughes. Did Schneider play at all?

this is the highest Rangers draft pick in 50 years, get over it
- jimbro83

And nobody feels bad for the Rangers since on the other hand they attract most of the college UFAs and are usually on the list for star players to sign or be traded to. So boo hoo.