The Possible Kakko/Lafreniere Combo

If the Rangers have any brains at all, and I think they do, they will stand pat and select Alexis Lafreniere with the first pick of the 2020 NHL Draft on October 9th. Lafreniere is the supermely talented left wing, who will either replace Kreider on line one, or become the LW on the second line with Kaapo Kakko at RW.

In this situation, Kreider would probably move to right win on line one with Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibenejad. They were putting Bread with Mika a lot in big situations, and now that they'll have another big talent for the second line, Lafreniere, they can keep them together on a super powered first line.

That will make it possible to put Lafreniere and Kakko on the same line.  Offensively, they are very similar players, as you can notice in the video tapes.  Like Panarin, both Kakko and Lefreniere are strong on the puck and thus should be tremendous puck posssession assets.  They both play with good power, and could still be growing. Lafreniere is currently 6'1" 193, and Kakko is 6'3" 199, though he looked bigger than that during the play-in round.  Both are very creative passers and can score from anywhere.  Both have strong shots, and lethal backhands.

Lafreniere was more physical this past season, than Kakko was while figuring out the NHL. We must also remember that Kakko was physically dominant in the World Juniors, and suprisingly, against men in the World Championships - so it's in there.  Enouragingly, too, Kakko was the best player for the Rangers during the recent 3 game sweep, so it's very possible he's finally made the transition and ready to be the star the Rangers drafted.

So far, Lafreniere seems to have better defensive awareness, the Kakko is will to play defense, too, and is till learning how to on the smaller rinks.  They can both steal pucks and either score or create a great chance for a teammate.

Meanwhile the Rangers need to develop or acquire is a Center who's good enough to maximize the production of their stereo stars. Hopefully, that would be Chytil, but idiotically the Rangers have played Chytil at Wing at least as much as they have at C over his early career and he may not be quite ready to Center Laffy and Kakko, yet.  As for Strome, he could price himself out and even if he returns, they'd need a more creative C to go with Kakko and Laffy, so, they'll have to trade for one.

You'll notice I don't see Buchnevich in the top 6.  I think he'll be traded with the Hurricanes pick and something else to get a top second line C.

The best is yet to come.