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

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Wanna see how Lundell and Byfield perform next season.

I could see Byfield obliterating the OHL next season (2 ppg) and Lundell produced at the same ppg rate as Barkov as a 16 year old in Liiga.

Lundell is an interesting prospect. Great hands and definitely potential to go top-3

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Wanna see how Lundell and Byfield perform next season.

I could see Byfield obliterating the OHL next season (2 ppg) and Lundell produced at the same ppg rate as Barkov as a 16 year old in Liiga. He could produce similarly to Kakko and Barkov in their D-1 seasons next year, if not better.

Lundell is a late 01 right?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Lundell is a late 01 right?

Yes. Early birthday

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Lundell is a late 01 right?

Yeah so he was 17 all year, thought he was younger

Still, very impressive pre draft season.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Worth mentioning - Kakko had 19 points in his last 19 games played in Liiga (including playoffs)

He only has gotten better and better

 

[Kovalev27]

If Kakko’s last name was Kelly and he was a Canadian playing in the OHL instead of pro hockey in Finland he’d be the first overall pick. The Canadian media wouldn’t let anyone even enter the conversation. I’m positive of that.

 

[EdJovanovski]

If Kakko’s last name was Kelly and he was a Canadian playing in the OHL instead of pro hockey in Finland he’d be the first overall pick. The Canadian media wouldn’t let anyone even enter the conversation. I’m positive of that.

Canadian hockey fans & media are the worst and one of the main reasons I cheer for an American team

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If Kakko’s last name was Kelly and he was a Canadian playing in the OHL instead of pro hockey in Finland he’d be the first overall pick. The Canadian media wouldn’t let anyone even enter the conversation. I’m positive of that.

"Kakko only scored 22 goals. How is he even top-3?"

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

This sounds familiar.

Evgeni Malkin
Drafted: Pittsburgh, 1st Round (2nd Overall), 2004
Kyle Woodlief, USA Today/Red Line Report:“Big Evgeni Malkin was the dominant force in the World Under-18 Championship in Minsk last month and has not only solidified his No. 2 overall ranking, but has significantly narrowed the gap between himself and consensus No. 1 Alex Ovechkin. It's not a matter of Ovechkin coming back to the pack; Malkin has just elevated his game to a new level. A number of teams now have the pair ranked in a dead heat, with some believing that Malkin's rapid progression and long-term upside make him worthy of the top spot. As much as we love Ovechkin, it's not that big a stretch. Malkin is nearly a full year younger and will play in the NHL at nearly 6-foot-4, 215 pounds when he fills out. He also has the puck skills of a much smaller man and a nasty edge to boot. Watch the way Vinny Lecavalier has been playing in this year's playoffs and imagine Malkin five or six years from now — the comparison seems quite valid.”

Throwback Thursday: Past Scouting Reports

 

[Emptyvoid]

This sounds familiar.

Evgeni Malkin
Drafted: Pittsburgh, 1st Round (2nd Overall), 2004
Kyle Woodlief, USA Today/Red Line Report:“Big Evgeni Malkin was the dominant force in the World Under-18 Championship in Minsk last month and has not only solidified his No. 2 overall ranking, but has significantly narrowed the gap between himself and consensus No. 1 Alex Ovechkin. It's not a matter of Ovechkin coming back to the pack; Malkin has just elevated his game to a new level. A number of teams now have the pair ranked in a dead heat, with some believing that Malkin's rapid progression and long-term upside make him worthy of the top spot. As much as we love Ovechkin, it's not that big a stretch. Malkin is nearly a full year younger and will play in the NHL at nearly 6-foot-4, 215 pounds when he fills out. He also has the puck skills of a much smaller man and a nasty edge to boot. Watch the way Vinny Lecavalier has been playing in this year's playoffs and imagine Malkin five or six years from now — the comparison seems quite valid.”

Throwback Thursday: Past Scouting Reports

Very familiar.

I'm extremely excited at the prospect of a PPG selke candidate, that's insane.

 

[Levitate]

Malkin’s Injury issues and being overshadowed by Crosby are probably the biggest reasons people don’t automatically think of him as a generational player.

 

[Cag29]

Malkin’s Injury issues and being overshadowed by Crosby are probably the biggest reasons people don’t automatically think of him as a generational player.

Malkkin is an awesome player.

 

[aufheben]

If Kakko’s last name was Kelly and he was a Canadian playing in the OHL instead of pro hockey in Finland he’d be the first overall pick. The Canadian media wouldn’t let anyone even enter the conversation. I’m positive of that.

I hope this is true.

I’ve been catching up on some Forsberg highlights, and that is definitely the best comparison I’ve seen. Forsberg was smaller, a faster skater, and IIRC could be pretty violent (although it was also a more violent era.) But really many other aspects bear an uncanny similarity.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If Kakko’s last name was Kelly and he was a Canadian playing in the OHL instead of pro hockey in Finland he’d be the first overall pick. The Canadian media wouldn’t let anyone even enter the conversation. I’m positive of that.

Recent example: Elias Pettersson

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I hope this is true.

I’ve been catching up on some Forsberg highlights, and that is definitely the best comparison I’ve seen. Forsberg was smaller, a faster skater, and IIRC could be pretty violent (although it was also a more violent era.) But really many other aspects bear an uncanny similarity.

If he's as good as Forsberg wouldn't that make him...wait for it...generational? Or is it just a style comparison?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If he's as good as Forsberg wouldn't that make him...wait for it...generational? Or is it just a style comparison?

Forsberg wasn't generational.

Generational players in the last 40 years: Gretzky, Lemieux, Hasek, Crosby, Ovechkin and maaaaaybe Lidstrom

 

[Kakko the Capo]

Does Hughes have a history of concussions? Someone correct me if I am wrong, but did he miss games in the WJC this year because of concussions?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Does Hughes have a history of concussions? Someone correct me if I am wrong, but did he miss games in the WJC this year because of concussions?

I think it was revealed that he had a shoulder injury.

Hes missed time with an ankle this year as well.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Forsberg wasn't generational.

Generational players in the last 40 years: Gretzky, Lemieux, Hasek, Crosby, Ovechkin and maaaaaybe Lidstrom

Lidstrom is a Top 5 D of all time.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Lidstrom is a Top 5 D of all time.

He might be a top 3 D of all time.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

It is seriously just mind blowing how STRONG he is as a 17 year old (for most of those goals)...he's playing against grown ass man and he looks like stronger than everyone. I just cant imagine him at 22-23, holy crap.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

It is seriously just mind blowing how STRONG he is as a 17 year old (for most of those goals)...he's playing against grown ass man and he looks like stronger than everyone. I just cant imagine him at 22-23, holy crap.

I love how opponents just bounce off him as if he's Marshawn Lynch.

 

[aufheben]

If he's as good as Forsberg wouldn't that make him...wait for it...generational? Or is it just a style comparison?

I’m not the person to ask, but re: a Forsberg comparison, I don’t think you can have one without the other (for some attributes anyway.) He was a unique player; something “like” IQ, or “almost” quick hands, just doesn’t really make sense.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Full game of shifts here. This is the game he scored a hat trick against Luuko. Kakko is a f***ing menace, his team has the puck nearly the entire time he’s on the ice. The way he manuevers in the offensive zone really highlights his outsanding hockey IQ - he’s always one step ahead of the play. Also shows him PKing some and he’s impressive there as well. He’s looks like he has potential to be a big time threat shorthanded, he creates a lot uncomfortable situations for puck handlers with his smart positioning.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

No joke, I think he puts up 1+ GPG in the OHL this year if he played there.

He had 17 in his last 23 games, including playoffs (Post WJC, 24 points overall.)

Keep in mind, his team wasn't great either.