"When the Rangers selected Alexis Lafreniere first overall in 2020, a year after taking Kaapo Kakko second overall in 2019, both players should have been treated like marquee talents by the Rangers in the midst of a rebuild on the fly. Neither were. Instead, both were given bottom six minutes and confidence cratered, eventually leading to Kakko's trade and relentless trade rumors with Lafreniere."
"Some pundits found weaknesses in Kakko and Lafreniere, no one believed those weaknesses would spell major trouble for the players. At worst they looked like "could be top six stalwarts", while at best they would be future award candidates. Weaknesses are found in virtually all picks, as Hughes' size and strength were questioned in 2019. Instead, the Rangers did what the Rangers do best and failed to develop either player."
Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko were selected first and second overall by the Rangers in consecutive drafts but received limited roles and inadequate development. Both players were often deployed in bottom-six minutes that undermined their confidence and stalled progress, contributing to Kakko's eventual trade and persistent trade rumors around Lafreniere. Pre-draft performance indicated both possessed top-tier potential, with Lafreniere widely regarded as the best in his class and Kakko as the clear second-best in his. Comparable prospects Jack Hughes and Matthew Schaefer immediately received heavy minutes and top power-play roles, accelerating their development into franchise cornerstones. Patient, consistent usage and confidence-building are essential for unlocking high draft pick potential.
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