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Kaapo Kakko makes case for top NHL selection with hat trick for Finland
Kaapo Kakko is making life difficult for the New Jersey Devils after a standout showing for Finland against Slovakia at the IIHF World Hockey Championship.
Kakko was simply dominant, notching a hat trick in Finland’s 4-2 victory on Saturday, emerging as the best player on the ice in a tournament full of NHL stalwarts.
Kaapo Kakko receives a no-look pass off the boards from Niko Mikkola and BURIES IT to give @leijonat the 2-1 lead #SVKFIN #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/6RpkR9eRUr
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) May 11, 2019
It’s widely believed that the Devils are considering either Jack Hughes or Kakko with the first pick in this summer’s draft and though the American forward is considered by some to be the front-runner, Kakko is definitely eliminating any perceived gap in the race.
Kakko scored a highlight-reel goal during a 3-1 win against Canada and it’s clear that he’s well on his way to becoming an instant star in the NHL. If recent history is any indication, Kakko is in good company.
Kaapo Kakko is apparently going to be this year's Patrik Laine.
Only Kakko has 5 goals in 2 WC gp and Laine had 7 goals in 10.
Laine had 17 goals and 33 pts in 46 Liiga gp in his draft year.
Kakko had 22 goals and 35 pts in 45 Liiga games this year.
Kakko is 2 months older.— Stephen Burtch (@SteveBurtch) May 11, 2019
Although Hughes absolutely tore up the IIHF U-18 tournament and doesn’t necessarily look out of place at the Worlds, Kakko looks like the real deal already.
Kaapo Kakko: hat-trick. He has scored five of Finland's seven goals. #IIHFWorlds #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/BBUK85J8vL
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) May 11, 2019
We certainly don’t envy Devils general manager Ray Shero and the rest of his staff.
Kaapo Kakko already plays like a grown ass man and I’d be pretty scared about passing up on the chance to draft him and regretting it until the end of time
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) May 11, 2019
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