Each week, this column will highlight news for NHL prospects and 2019 draft-eligible players, with a close eye on U.S. men's college hockey, and share some thoughts from recent prospect viewings as we look ahead to June's 2019 NHL draft.
On Friday, we dissected the race for the No. 1 pick between Kakko and Jack Hughes, with scouts still professing their belief that Hughes remains largely the consensus top prospect for 2019. Well, maybe he reads ESPN. Kakko promptly went off this weekend. He had a goal and an assist against Tappara that same day and then netted his first professional hat trick on Saturday against Lukko.