Joined: Dec. 2017
Posts: 5,012
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I ran this same poll about 3-4 weeks ago and almost everyone said Hughes. It wasn't close. I would take Kakko, and I'm a Devils fan. They've already got a #1 C in Nico, who's been great at the WC, btw. Zacha is still very young. He just turned 22. He's frustrated Devils fans the last 2 seasons, but he's got #2 C potential next season. They have one glaring hole in their Forward group: RW's. Palmieri is pretty much it right now, as I believe Bratt is better off as 2nd line LW. Kakko would immediately jump onto the #1 line of Hall-Nico-Kakko.
I know it's a very difficult choice, but 3-4 months prior to the 2017 Draft, Nolan Patrick was the undisputed #1 Overall pick. Nico overtook him and now look how much quicker Nico has developed. Obviously there are many factors to consider here (Hughes is a Center and he's younger), but I'm amazed by Kakko's goal scoring ability...and that's the idea of the game...put the puck in the net.