Poll: Who Will Be The Top Selection At The 2019 Entry Draft?

For more than a year, the overwhelming response to the question “who will be the first-overall pick in 2019?” would result in one name. Jack Hughes, the superstar center from the U.S. National Team Development Program who has dominated players older than him and found success internationally. The 17-year old Hughes recorded a point-per-game and took home a silver medal at the most recent World Juniors despite it being an under-20 tournament. His incredible puck skills and effortless skating have been on display since before the Buffalo Sabres selected Rasmus Dahlin first overall last June, and some contended that he would push for a top selection if he were eligible in 2018.

Over the last several months though, a new contender has entered the ring and pushed for the top spot in 2019. Kaapo Kakko scored the gold medal-winning goal against Hughes’ American squad in that World Junior tournament, and set records for scoring at his age in Finland’s top league with 22 goals in 45 games. Kakko is set to compete for a spot on the Finnish World Championship team, which will be taking on top NHL talent in May.

That impressive season has put him right in the mix for first overall. Last month Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet put Kakko ahead of Hughes in his draft rankings, though he wouldn’t go so far as to actually predict a team would pass on the shifty American. The expectation that Hughes will still be selected first overall is held up by Bob McKenzie of TSN’s latest ranking, which polled ten scouts who all had Kakko in second place. That said, McKenzie goes to great lengths explaining just how close that race is, and how there is still time for the Finnish forward to overtake Hughes for the top spot.

Perhaps it will come down to a stylistic preference, depending on who actually gets the chance to pick first. The draft lottery will be held next week and the Colorado Avalanche will have the best odds at selecting first, thanks to their trade with the Ottawa Senators. Hughes has incredible transition and playmaking ability and has continually lifted the play of those around him. His puck control and vision is unmatched in the draft, and many believe he can be a catalyst at both even-strength and on the powerplay.

Kakko is a much different player, relying on his puck protection skills and first step out of the corner to create chances for himself and others. While he’s much bigger than Hughes that protection aspect isn’t necessarily his physicality, but his ability to elude checkers with excellent footwork while driving to dangerous areas. There’s no reason to doubt either will round out there games and be stars in the league, but different teams may believe the ceiling (or floor, for that matter) is higher for one or the other.

So we ask you, who will end up going first overall in 2019? Will the presumptive favorite be snapped up, resulting in the second American-born first-overall pick in four years, or will Kakko fly by Hughes on his way to becoming the first Finnish player to be taken at No. 1? Cast your vote below and leave a comment to explain your decision.

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