Due to the Jean-Gabriel Pageau trade, the New York Islanders did not select until late in the third round of the 2020 NHL Draft. As a result, their picks were lesser-known guys outside of the top-50 prospects. They’re all Islanders now, however, and we better learn a little about them.

Alexander Ljungkranitz- LW, Brynäs IF U20 (J20 Nationell)

Ljungkranitz is your classic hard-worker. He can make simple plays while playing a lot in dirty areas in the corners and in front of the net. He has a good shot as well, but everything can be developed. Ljungkranitz has played on junior teams in the Brynäs organization since 2017-18 and has represented his country at the U16, U17 and U18 levels. He has two goals in six games with the U20 team this season and is looking to move up to a permanent spot on the big club after four appearances in the last two seasons.

Alex Jefferies- LW, The Gunnery (HS-CT)

Jefferies is listed as a left-winger but can play both sides as a right-hander. His biggest strength is his skating and his quick strides allow him to cover more ground quickly. Jefferies also boasts good playmaking abilities although he often tries dangerous passes that may not work above the high school level. He has played for a number of club teams including the Islanders Hockey Clubs 16U AAA in 2016-18 and even made a two-game USHL appearance with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Most recently, Jefferies completed his final season at The Gunnery prep school, putting up 69 points in 32 games. He will play Division I college hockey at Merrimack College when this season begins.

William Dufour- RW, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

At 6′ 3″ 201 lbs, Dufour is a big body. He uses this to his advantage by crashing the net but has some out-of-the-box tactics. He’s a shoot-first guy but prefers to shoot low more than most, surprising goalies and creating rebounds. His shot is also hard to pick up off the stick, leaving opposing netminders guessing every time. Time will tell if this strategy will work in the butterfly-heavy NHL. Dufour has played for three QMJHL teams in his career and split last season between the Voltigeurs and Chicoutimi Saguenéens, putting up 55 points in 57 games. He’s off to a hot start this year in Drummondville with three assists in two games.

Matias Rajaniemi- D, Pelicans (Liiga)

This Finnish defenseman is one of the youngest players in the draft but makes up for it with a 6′ 4″, 205 pound frame. He saw a boost to ice time in his draft year and was trusted as a power-play quarterback. Rajaniemi has a booming slapshot from the point making him a dual-threat on the man-advantage. He has played in the Pelicans organization since 2016 and has represented his country at the U16, U17 and U18 levels. He spent most of last season with the Pelicans’ U20 team, nabbing 17 points in 39 games, but made appearances with the big club and begins this season on the top team.

Henrik Tikkanen- G, IPK (Mestis)

At 6′ 8″, Tikkanen is a huge goalie and relies on his size. As with many large goalies, he needs to improve on his quickness but the reflexes are there and there’s a foundation to build on. Goalies tend to take time to develop and that will likely be the case with him. Tikkanen has played in junior leagues in Finland up until this season and represented Finland at the U16 and U17 levels. He posted an .895 save percentage in 39 games last year with HIFK U20 in the Jr. A SM-Liiga but in the early goings this year with IPK, he has a 1.50 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in two games. Before coming to North America, Tikkanen will likely need to show the Islanders that he can reach the highest level in Finland: the Liiga.

John Smark