Jan Levine: Would you be disappointed if Hughes not Kakko is the Rangers’ pick? A crazy question two months ago may not be one now...

It would be absurd for anyone to be disappointed. I could understand some letdown that Kakko is going to NJ but getting Hughes would obviously be a game changer. I will be happy with either but it is rather unfortunate that the other will be in NJ.

What!? Hughes will be #1, and rightfully so. Nothing done in a short tournament, which doesn't include some of the best players in the world, should change anything. Given the choice of who to take, Hughes should win out every time.

I wouldn't even be remotely disappointed

I could easily change on the fly to being extremely excited about Jack Hughes

Devils are going to drag this out until last possible second though

What!? Hughes will be #1, and rightfully so. Nothing done in a short tournament, which doesn't include some of the best players in the world, should change anything. Given the choice of who to take, Hughes should win out every time.
- jmatchett383

well, in the WJC, Kakko also scored the gold medal winning goal

If you are one of those people who would get upset by Hughes.

Step 1: Run as fast as you can
Step 2: Jump head 1st into a (frank)ing wood chipper

I think it depends on your definition of disappointed. I've prefered Kakko over Hughes for some time, if the Devils take Kakko, I'll be disappointed. Not in a Hughes sucks kind of way, but in a I really wanted Kakko kind of way. I don't think anyone is being unreasonable for feeling this way.

I think it depends on your definition of disappointed. I've prefered Kakko over Hughes for some time, if the Devils take Kakko, I'll be disappointed. Not in a Hughes sucks kind of way, but in a I really wanted Kakko kind of way. I don't think anyone is being unreasonable for feeling this way.
- 2sticks1puck

It really should only last a few minutes though, till you realize we got an awesome center. I want Kakko too, but I would still have a massive erection for Hughes

I think it depends on your definition of disappointed. I've prefered Kakko over Hughes for some time, if the Devils take Kakko, I'll be disappointed. Not in a Hughes sucks kind of way, but in a I really wanted Kakko kind of way. I don't think anyone is being unreasonable for feeling this way.
- 2sticks1puck

I think we all already feel like Kakko is ours and have envisioned a long career of him

I think it depends on your definition of disappointed. I've prefered Kakko over Hughes for some time, if the Devils take Kakko, I'll be disappointed. Not in a Hughes sucks kind of way, but in a I really wanted Kakko kind of way. I don't think anyone is being unreasonable for feeling this way.
- 2sticks1puck

I think that is fair. But some people are making it appear as though the comparison isn't even close. I find that kind of absurd since it seems to be a major talking point lately.

I think that is fair. But some people are making it appear as though the comparison isn't even close. I find that kind of absurd since it seems to be a major talking point lately.
- JRR1285

Well we don't have to figure out who the 2nd line center would be

Well we don't have to figure out who the 2nd line center would be
- mdw7413

yeah, it's Zib and Hughes down the middle, that conversation is over.

Chytil probably definitely moves to wing and Lias/Howden battle to be 3rd line center or get traded

I think that is fair. But some people are making it appear as though the comparison isn't even close. I find that kind of absurd since it seems to be a major talking point lately.
- JRR1285

Yeah, those people are unrealistic. Hughes is a great "consolation" prize. Obviously due to fandom I will change my tune if we get Hughes, but I honestly think Kakko will be better. 40-50 goal scoring wingers do not grow on trees, I really do think Kakko will be that.

yeah, it's Zib and Hughes down the middle, that conversation is over.

Chytil probably definitely moves to wing and Lias/Howden battle to be 3rd line center or get traded
- jimbro83

Yup. I think it would be Howden. I'm not giving up on Andersson but I really haven't seen much

yeah, it's Zib and Hughes down the middle, that conversation is over.

Chytil probably definitely moves to wing and Lias/Howden battle to be 3rd line center or get traded
- jimbro83

I think getting Hughes IMO would actually have me want to leave Chytil at Center. I really think as a contending team you have to have 3 scoring lines. Chytil would be one of the most skilled 3rd line centers in the league. The amount of favorable matchups we could employ would be absurd.

Yup. I think it would be Howden. I'm not giving up on Andersson but I really haven't seen much
- mdw7413

I would not be shocked if he's moved this summer like the Islanders moved Nino and Reinhart, not necessarily the returns the Islanders got

well, in the WJC, Kakko also scored the gold medal winning goal
- jimbro83

Well we can't all be as good as Rasmus Ristolainen and John Carlson (granted, both D+1 players).

I'm not saying Kakko won't be good. I'm just saying Hughes has been the consensus #1 since he was 15 and a handful of international games shouldn't change that.

Yup. I think it would be Howden. I'm not giving up on Andersson but I really haven't seen much
- mdw7413

I think it would be Lias who wins. Lias is much better defensively than Howden (though not a high bar to clear), I think he would have more utility as a PK and grinder than Howden has. Howden doesn't really have the offensive prowess yet to trump that, but he was thrown to the fire last year.

I would not be shocked if he's moved this summer like the Islanders moved Nino and Reinhart, not necessarily the returns the Islanders got
- jimbro83

Wheres Chia when you need him. That Griff trade is still insane

I think it would be Lias who wins. Lias is much better defensively than Howden (though not a high bar to clear), I think he would have more utility as a PK and grinder than Howden has. Howden doesn't really have the offensive prowess yet to trump that, but he was thrown to the fire last year.
- 2sticks1puck

Maybe we are watching two different players but Howden was actually really good defensively when his offense slipped and I think thats why Quinn kept him in the lineup

Wheres Chia when you need him. That Griff trade is still insane
- mdw7413

I guess they just always loved Reinhart in Edmonton, he played 4 years of junior hockey in Edmonton

no NHL team knew him better, I can't believe it was solely Chia just being an idiot

Maybe we are watching two different players but Howden was actually really good defensively when his offense slipped and I think thats why Quinn kept him in the lineup
- mdw7413

yeah, I didn't think Howden was bad defensively

for a young kid, his 48.4% faceoff winning percentage not too bad either in his rookie season

Well we can't all be as good as Rasmus Ristolainen and John Carlson (granted, both D+1 players).

I'm not saying Kakko won't be good. I'm just saying Hughes has been the consensus #1 since he was 15 and a handful of international games shouldn't change that.
- jmatchett383

That's a good point. The thing that would give me pause with Hughes is with a #1 pick I want someone who can play day 1 in the league at a high level. Calling Hughes a project is a disservice to him, but there are people saying he needs to improve x,y,z to succeed in the league.

With Kakko, it looks like by all accounts he will be a superstar the moment he walks in the league, not saying that Hughes won't, but Kakko is way more polished. I also think the center vs wing argument is slightly overrated. Ovechkin vs Crosby and Hall vs Seguin are still legitimate arguments in this league. Obviously it is easier to win with just solid wingers than solid centers, but a franchise cornerstone raises you no matter what position they play.

I guess they just always loved Reinhart in Edmonton, he played 4 years of junior hockey in Edmonton

no NHL team knew him better, I can't believe it was solely Chia just being an idiot
- jimbro83

True. It just boggles my mind cause everyone realized Griff really wasnt that good. I mean the return was for a prospect you expect to be an impact player on a team

yeah, I didn't think Howden was bad defensively

for a young kid, his 48.4% faceoff winning percentage not too bad either in his rookie season
- jimbro83

Yeah. 23 points in 66 games in a rookie year, great on faceoffs, very smart player. Not too shabby.