With the 1st overall pick for the second time in three years, the New Jersey Devils have a decision to make. This decision would be very crucial to them as it will set them for the future. The last time New Jersey drafted number 1 was when they picked Nico Hischier, which was better than Nolan Patrick, but Elias Pettersson would have been nicer. However the last time the Devils picked #1, they made the playoffs but however, this year, all went downhill for them.
This draft it would be an even harder choice than the whole Nico vs Nolan scenario. This time, you have two actual LEGIT players who are both making their cases to go #1. Jack Hughes, the #1 ranked North American skater and Kaapo Kakko, the #1 ranked European skater are both at stake. Both currently are representing their nations respectively at the IIHF World Championships in Slovakia, however Kaapo Kakko is the standout out of the two so far in the tournament. Kaapo Kakko currently has 6 Goals and 1 Assist in 6 games at the tournament while Hughes has only been able to register 1 assist on a USA team which is filled with NHL talent, while Finland isn't.
Kakko played this season with TPS of the Finnish Liiga, breaking the Finnish U18 record in points, while Hughes stayed put in the USHL with Team USA's National U18 Team with 112 points in 50 games after being promoted to the club.
Now, the big decision. Majority of the fowards the New Jersey Devils have drafted were in fact Centers, the main position of Jack Hughes. However, Kaapo Kakko does have experience at the center position. New Jersey loves to boost up their center depth and though Kaapo Kakko is more NHL ready than Jack Hughes, he has to adjust to North American ice, not the European ice he has been dominating. Jack Hughes is the more speedy player, one of the best skaters in the draft since Connor McDavid, and he also has some great hands. Both players are elite players and only time will tell on who New Jersey will be picking in this draft in Vancouver.
