2019 NHL mock draft: Chicago Blackhawks grab franchise center
TPS (Liiga). Kaapo Kakko. 2. player. 95. . Forward
Man, you’ve got to envy the New York Rangers. They have the easiest pick in the draft. While the Devils have to ponder whether to draft Hughes or Kakko, the Rangers get to sit back and have a stress-free stroll to the podium for their pick. New Jersey is basically making New York’s selection for them.
Whoever the Devils don’t choose, that’s who the Rangers are going to draft. Which means, barring something unforeseen, Kakko will be the pick here. There’s a lot to love about him. While Kakko wasn’t a center during his draft year, he was a center before then. Also, I think he has the tools to be a very effective center.
However, Kakko’s sticking at wing. He dominated there as a 17-year-old in one of the most competitive professional leagues in the world. I’ve never seen a teenager effortlessly protect the pucks against men like Kakko did.
He’s not the best skater, but he’s fast and quick enough. Kakko loves to use his size to his advantage, which helps him protect the puck against bigger opponents. His 38 points as a 17-year-old place him third all-time behind Aleksander Barkov and Mikael Granlund. No 17-year-old in Liiga history scored more goals in a single season than him.