NHL Draft Props Have Kakko as a Heavy -1300 Favorite to Be #2-Overall Pick; Turcotte -170 to Go #3

• There are released prop wagers on who will go second and third overall in the June 21 NHL entry draft
• Kaapo Kakko is the -1300 favorite to be selected no. 2
• Alex Turcotte is the -170 chalk to be picked no. 3

Is Kaapo Kakko about to play the role of Avis to Jack Hughes’ Hertz?

Oddsmakers certainly believe this to be the case. The sportsbook appears to have come to the conclusion that the race to be selected first overall in the NHL entry draft is going to go to Hughes, as their prop bets for tomorrow’s draft start with who will be picked no. 2 overall.

Kakko is the overwhelming odds-on choice to be no. 2 at -1300, while Alex Turcotte is the betting favorite to be selected third at a much more pedestrian -170.

Odds to Be #2-Overall Pick in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

*Odds taken 06/20/19

Has Kakko Capitulated?

Kakko is only the the seventh player in hockey history to win gold at the Under-18 championships, the World Junior Championship, and the men’s World Championship. And he achieved all three in a 13-month span over the course of one season.

This time, though, he’ll settle for a silver medal.

Kappo is the prototypical power forward. He’s a tremendous finisher. Kappo scored the winning goal at the world juniors. He scored six times in 10 world championship games.

However, Hughes has more polish. He’s creativity and hockey IQ are world-class. He makes those around him better players.

A Finnish-born player has been taken in the top 3 of the #NHLDraft in each of the last three years. Will that trend continue with Kaapo Kakko in 2019?

More #NHLStats: https://t.co/uUcJd9EGKZ pic.twitter.com/Pd9BFrQui5

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 14, 2019

When the choice is between a scoring winger and a playmaking center, hockey people believe you improve your Stanley Cup odds by selecting the center.

That isn’t going to change on Friday.

A Finnish-born player has gone in the top three of the last three NHL entry drafts – Jesperi Kotkaniemi (3-2018), Miro Heiskanen (3-2017) and Patrik Laine (2-2016).

Kaapo Kakko in the house!

Those mics though. ? pic.twitter.com/Gl8zw3KNF1

— Amanda "Stay at Home" Stein (@amandacstein) June 20, 2019

This will again be the case on Friday.

No Finnish-born player has ever gone first overall in the NHL entry draft.

That also will not be changing. The New Jersey Devils will take Hughes first. The New York Rangers will grab Kakko second.

Pick: Kappo (-1300)

Odds to Be #3-Overall Pick in 2019 NHL Entry Draft

*Odds taken 06/20/19

Who Is No. 3?

A lot of hockey people think this is where draft intrigue truly begins.

There is actual debate over which player will go third overall. The Chicago Blackhawks hold pick and that makes USA Hockey National Team Development Program forward Alex Turcotte an intriguing option. Turcotte, whose dad Alfie was an NHL forward, was born in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove, Illinois.

Next up: Alex Turcotte. Kid can become Toews’ replacement as the No. 1 center. #Blackhawks #NHL pic.twitter.com/EoW1vPgFFT

— Nick Petro (@petroshag) June 19, 2019

Only Hughes (2.24) registered a high points-per game average with the US NTDP this season than Turcotte (1.68). but he also missed 22 games this year due to a lower-body injury and mononucleosis.

The fastest-rising player on the NHL Draft radar is Vancouver Giants defenseman Bowen Byram. He was the 10th-rated North American player in the NHL Central Scouting rankings at the start of the season. Byram jumped to sixth by the next set of rankings and currently sits in second spot.

Hear from @BowenByram himself as he faces the media on the eve of the 2019 NHL Draft. pic.twitter.com/qP8aekTmyA

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) June 20, 2019

Chicago took defensemen with its first two picks of the 2017 and 2018 drafts and just traded to get Olli Maatta, though.

Saskatoon (WHL) center Kirby Dach is another legitimate contender to go third overall.

Pick: Bowen Byram (+150)