What if the Montreal Canadiens had the first overall pick?
By Omar L
It seems like an easy answer right off the bat. Hughes has always been projected to go first, and he has the skill and flair to become a franchise centre in the NHL.
What has had others cocking eyebrows is their respective production from this season as well as their playing style.
Hughes played in 50 games for the US U18 National Team scoring 34 goals and 78 assists for a total of 112 points. His assist total broke Clayton Keller‘s record back in 2016 while he finished one point behind Auston Matthews for highest stat line. Regardless of what team Matthews has played for, we’ve seen what he’s been able to do at the NHL level, and it’s incredible.
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Some consider what Kakko has done more impressive given Hughes was playing against other 18-year-olds while the Finnish native was playing against men in Liiga. Kakko put up 22 goals and 16 assists in 45 games playing for TPS. His goal total set a record for the most goals in a single season by a player under 18. He also added five points in five playoff games and is currently leading Team Finland in scoring with six goals.
Many are saying Kakko is more NHL ready given the way he plays and his size. Kakko stands at 6’2″ and 190 pounds making use of his body to protect the puck and be aggressive on the forecheck while having the hockey IQ and hands to make plays offensively.
What is seeing some knock Hughes down is his relative size (5’10” and 170 pounds) as well as his play at the Worlds. Kakko has been a key contributor, whereas Hughes has been left on the sidelines for the most part and has but only one assist.
But the Worlds shouldn’t be a defining difference. Hughes is on a team filled to the brim with NHL talent including Patrick Kane, Johnny Gaudreau and Dylan Larkin whereas Finland is made up of mostly European-league players.