Shero has a Devil of an NHL Draft decision: Hughes or Kakko

Top prospect Jack Hughes, of Orlando, Fla., speaks to the media during an NHL hockey draft top prospects media availability in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 20, 2019. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero doesn't mind keeping everyone waiting one more day before revealing whether he will select one of the two top projected prospects — American center Jack Hughes or Finland's Kaapo Kakko — with the first pick in the NHL Draft.

What Shero would concede Thursday was his decision having the potential of spicing up New Jersey's ever-healthy cross-river and Metropolitan Division rivalry with the New York Rangers, who are picking second when the draft opens in Vancouver on Friday night.

"What we've got to do is what's best for the Devils right now," Shero said. "Knowing that the team picking No. 2 in this case is in our division, they're going to get a great player as well."

If that places a heavier burden on his shoulders, well, that's fine with Shero.

"It really doesn't bother me. Some people say the Rangers and Jeff Gorton are in the best spot," Shero said, referring to the Rangers GM. "I mean, I'm picking No. 1, so I'm in the best spot, I think."

For his part, Gorton doesn't mind the suspense.

"We're sitting there and obviously one team's going to indicate to us exactly how it might go for the rest of the draft. I think we're in a good spot," Gorton said. "We know that we're going to get a really good player no matter what happens to us."

In a draft that has the potential of featuring a record number of Americans taken in the first round, Shero's decision rests on choosing between an under-sized play-making center in Hughes or the heftier Kakko, who is considered a purer goal-scorer.

Shero has met with both players over dinner, including traveling to Helsinki, Finland, to meet with Kakko. And though he has a good idea which player the Devils will select, Shero was waiting until Thursday night to make his recommendation to team owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer.

In many ways, the decision is similar to the one Shero faced three years ago, the last time the Devils had the first pick. In 2017, Shero selected Switzerland center Niko Hischier, while New Jersey's division-rival Philadelphia Flyers took Nolan Patrick.

At 5-foot-10 and 170, pounds Hughes is NHL Central Scouting's top-ranked North American prospect. He set a USA Hockey development program record by combining for 228 points (74 goals, 154 assists) over his two-year stint. From Orlando, Florida, he's in position to become the eighth U.S.-born player selected No. 1 and first since Toronto took Auston Matthews in 2016.

At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Kakko is the top-ranked European skater. He completed a season in which he helped his nation complete a gold-medal sweep of international titles by winning the world championship last month along with the world junior and under-18 titles. Kakko's 22 goals in 45 games were a Finnish Elite League record by a draft-eligible player.

Though he was only formally introduced to Kakko for the first time this weekend, Hughes understands the two will draw comparisons for years to come.

"You saw (Alexander) Ovechkin and (Sidney) Crosby all these years," Hughes said, referring to the long-time Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins captains. "I'm not saying we're going to be Ovechkin and Crosby, but I'm saying it's going to be pretty cool to be linked with him."

The top of the draft features a wide mix of talent varying in size and speed. Defenseman Bowen Byram is ranked second among North Americans followed by center Kirby Dach. Then follows a large cluster of Hughes' USA Hockey teammates, including centers Alex Turcotte and Trevor Zegras and 5-foot-7 forward Cole Caufield, who set a program record with 72 goals last season.

The NTDP list of potential first-round selections are rounded out by left winger Matthew Boldy, defenseman Cameron York and Spencer Knight, the top-ranked North American goalie.

With Hughes and Kakko expected to be off the board, the real intrigue should begin with Chicago picking third after the Blackhawks bucked the draft lottery odds to jump from the 12th spot in the draft order.

"There seems to be an understanding of how those firsts two picks will go, though you never know until it happens," Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman said. "But we're going to pick one of three players. ... We're not going to be cramming last minute. I think we're going to be very comfortable with the guy that we pick."

Colorado follows with the fourth pick, leaving Avalanche amateur scouting director Alan Hepple interested in who the Blackhawks might select.

"I told Joe just to go ask them," Hepple said, referring to Avalanche GM Joe Sakic. "We've got a few guys targeted. We know what we have."

NOTES: Knight has the potential of becoming the 10th American-born goalie selected in the first round and first since Dallas chose Jake Oettinger with the 26th pick in 2017. ... The record for most American-born players selected in the first round is 12, in 2016. ... Center Dylan Cozens, ranked fifth among North Americans, has the chance to become the first player born in Canada's Yukon Territory selected in the first round.