GDT: 2019 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships

[UncleRisto]

Hughes yes, doubt Kakko will.

 

[dahrougem2]

Kakko will play in the NHL next season, Hughes probably not.

If Jack Hughes gets picked 1st overall in the draft, he is playing in the NHL next season.

Only one player selected 1st overall since 2000 hasn't played in the NHL the following season, and that's Erik Johnson.

Hughes would have to either commit to going to a college for next season, or completely bomb his training camp and preseason to not make the NHL.

 

[Freudian]

Did Heponiemi grow? He's listed as 5'11 but I recall him being shorter than that in the WHL.

 

[the_fan]

I thought Kakko and Hughes would be more dominant in this tournament. I’m not sure they will be impact players 10 months from now.

McDavid's first junior hockey tournament wasn't that impressive. 4 points in 7 games, I remember watching him and saying to myself, is this what all the hype about with McDavid

 

[UncleRisto]

Did Heponiemi grow? He's listed as 5'11 but I recall him being shorter than that in the WHL.

I'm sure he "grew".

 

[Gabe the Babe]

McDavid's first junior hockey tournament wasn't that impressive. 4 points in 7 games, I remember watching him and saying to myself, is this what all the hype about with McDavid

Is that true? And is that the same tournament Hughes and Kakko are at age wise? Because I had the same questions. I mean they both showed flashes of being solid. But I was hoping to see more.

Kakko to me is slower (not slow but not fast either) than I’d like and doesn’t look 6’4 like he’s listed some places. Hughes seemed sick or something. Obviously he was injured as well. But I worry about his shot. Because for all the Johnny Hockey and Kane comparisons those dudes can shoot a puck and Hughes is just seemingly a generational skater and puck handler with great vision. But just doesn’t shoot enough because it’s weak and to me it’s a lot of skating around for a lot less gain. Like he’s be great on a line with Laine or someone like that. But we don’t have one of those

 

[DanishAvsfan]

So Kakko does not speak English. I saw the post game interview with him where he had someone translate for him. There might be an adjustment period for him to playing in NA when he comes over.

 

[BleedWell]

If Jack Hughes gets picked 1st overall in the draft, he is playing in the NHL next season.

Only one player selected 1st overall since 2000 hasn't played in the NHL the following season, and that's Erik Johnson.

Hughes would have to either commit to going to a college for next season, or completely bomb his training camp and preseason to not make the NHL.

Sure but he won't be picked 1st.
Loosing team doesn't want more loosers on their roster.

 

[HugeMetalFan]

McDavid's first junior hockey tournament wasn't that impressive. 4 points in 7 games, I remember watching him and saying to myself, is this what all the hype about with McDavid

You're thinking of his draft -1 tournament. He had 11 points the year after (shared scoring lead).
But comparing any of them to McDavid might be setting yourself for disappointment.

 

[the_fan]

Is that true? And is that the same tournament Hughes and Kakko are at age wise? Because I had the same questions. I mean they both showed flashes of being solid. But I was hoping to see more.

Kakko to me is slower (not slow but not fast either) than I’d like and doesn’t look 6’4 like he’s listed some places. Hughes seemed sick or something. Obviously he was injured as well. But I worry about his shot. Because for all the Johnny Hockey and Kane comparisons those dudes can shoot a puck and Hughes is just seemingly a generational skater and puck handler with great vision. But just doesn’t shoot enough because it’s weak and to me it’s a lot of skating around for a lot less gain. Like he’s be great on a line with Laine or someone like that. But we don’t have one of those

Yes, I believe McDavid was 17 as well when he played in his 1st U20 world junior championship and like I said, he didn't look all that impressive the way he was being hyped.

 

[the_fan]

You're thinking of his draft -1 tournament. He had 11 points the year after (shared scoring lead).
But comparing any of them to McDavid might be setting yourself for disappointment.

Oh I'm not comparing Hughes or Kakko to McDavid, just saying this tournament is a short tournament, and you cant really judge players based on how they perform

Edit: his 2nd tournament was much better, 1st one not so much

 

[the_fan]

So Kakko does not speak English. I saw the post game interview with him where he had someone translate for him. There might be an adjustment period for him to playing in NA when he comes over.

It's ok, he'll have Rantanen to help him out until his English gets better

 

[BB88]

So Kakko does not speak English. I saw the post game interview with him where he had someone translate for him. There might be an adjustment period for him to playing in NA when he comes over.

His teammate answered on that question in twitter some time ago,


"Kakko speaks english, and is constantly learning. Let's try to find/create problems somewhere else."

Going in front of media after scoring the golden goal and having to speak in your secondary language isn't your everyday situation at 17y.

 

[Vaslof]

Almost everyone from Finland understands English, but very few are used to speaking it since it's not used in everyday life.

 

[BB88]

Almost everyone from Finland understands English, but very few are used to speaking it since it's not used in everyday life.

Yeah, it's very easy for some to write behind the computer but how many of us have been speaking in english in front of media like that at 17y?

No one.

 

[UncleRisto]

Yeah, it's very easy for some to write behind the computer but how many of us have been speaking in english in front of media like that at 17y?

No one.

Well... I mean... How many people in the world were interviewed at 17 by anyone for anything in any language? Not exactly a measure of proficiency.

 

[Freudian]

As long as he speaks the language of beating Minnesota Wild, I'm fine with drafting Kakko.

 

[Murzu]

To be honest, I'd expect every 15 yo+ Fin to answer those English questions easily. I'm always surprised when a young Fin doesn't speak English.

Though it might just be that these kids have invested their time to different things than being an active English leaner.

 

[BB88]

Well... I mean... How many people in the world were interviewed at 17 by anyone for anything in any language? Not exactly a measure of proficiency.

So you agree if you put a 17y old speak in his secondary language in front of a crowd like that he's going to feel the nerves?

 

[GoNordiquesGo]

Can't really use this tournament to judge Hughes since he was injured.

 

[Tralfamadore]

This Kakko hype needs to slow down. Avs are going to have to win the lottery to draft him at this point. We're gonna get stuck with J. Hughes.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Hughes is still the 1st overall pick. One game does not sway scouts when the gap between the two is as large as it is.


Kakko has probably cemented himself as the #2 after this tourny but he's not going #1, no matter what one particularly annoying Finn in this thread has to say.

 

[Foppberg]

Hughes is still the 1st overall pick. One game does not sway scouts when the gap between the two is as large as it is.


Kakko has probably cemented himself as the #2 after this tourny but he's not going #1, no matter what one particularly annoying Finn in this thread has to say.

Don't be talking about Risto like that.

 

[Murzu]

I think Hughes is still number one but I also think the gap isn't that big. I also know that the draft is six months away, a lot can happen between now and then.

If the draft was today, I'd guess at least 4/5 of the scouts would pick Hughes 1st overall. A lot has to do with the fact that currently Hughes is C and Kakko is W. How it will be in the NHL remains to be seen (though I expect them to play those positions in the future too).

 

[LOFIN]

So you agree if you put a 17y old speak in his secondary language in front of a crowd like that he's going to feel the nerves?

I think for most Finns it would not be a such a problem that you need a translator. Not in these days at least, maybe 20 years ago it would be more understandable. HOWEVER, I don't think it will be a problem going forward. I have no doubt that between the end of this season and the draft Kakko will get some intensive English classes.