2019 NHL Draft Profile: Kaapo Kakko

Ever since the Rangers landed the #2 overall pick a few weeks ago, it’s been nonstop Kaapo Kakko talk. All year, Kakko was the clear-cut #2 selection behind Jack Hughes. After Hughes and Kakko, there is a significant drop-off in talent in the #3-#9 range, although all of the players in that range are still considered great prospects. They just aren’t at the Hughes and Kakko level.

It wasn’t until the last month or so that Kakko has closed the gap on Hughes. Hughes has always been the #1 and Kakko the #2, but now it’s closer to a 60/40 split instead of a huge gap between the two. That is a significant jump in his stock. A lot of his showing at the World Juniors, where he put up 2-3-5 in 7…