I don't see anyone doing it, but it is fun to consider what other players would have to do in order to dethrone Jack. I think Newhook is pretty well locked out of 1OA consideration due to his league, fair or not. He'd have to flirt with 3 ppg before people start considering taking him over Hughes, and even then it might not be enough.
Kakko, because he'll be playing against much better competition than Hughes, and will actually play head to head against Hughes at the WJC, might actually have the opportunity. He'd have to be pretty close to the league lead in scoring, if not leading the league, though. The goal scoring record for U18s in Liiga is Aleksander Barkov's 21. If Kakko scores something like 25 and produces something like 50 points the conversation starts.
Turcotte, though, will be playing on the same team with Hughes. That offers a direct comparison, however that direct comparison could work against him. Given that Alex has been ''overshadowed'' by Jack, he needs to not only outperform him, but do it by some margin. If he does really well but it's still close in terms of overall performance people might start making excuses for Jack, or saying things like ''Jack has all the tough matchups.'' To be the man you gotta beat the man, sort of thing.
Kakko, because he'll be playing against much better competition than Hughes, and will actually play head to head against Hughes at the WJC, might actually have the opportunity. He'd have to be pretty close to the league lead in scoring, if not leading the league, though. The goal scoring record for U18s in Liiga is Aleksander Barkov's 21. If Kakko scores something like 25 and produces something like 50 points the conversation starts.
Turcotte, though, will be playing on the same team with Hughes. That offers a direct comparison, however that direct comparison could work against him. Given that Alex has been ''overshadowed'' by Jack, he needs to not only outperform him, but do it by some margin. If he does really well but it's still close in terms of overall performance people might start making excuses for Jack, or saying things like ''Jack has all the tough matchups.'' To be the man you gotta beat the man, sort of thing.
