Despite not having a first-round selection, the Islanders drafted six players on day two of the 2021 NHL Draft. Overall, it was a successful day for the Islanders. They got help all around by drafting three forwards, two defenseman and one goalie. So, with the lull of the offseason underway, let’s see who the Islanders selected and grade them. The grades assigned to the players are in relative to where they were drafted and their value at that point.

C Aatu Raty: A (2nd Round, 52nd Overall)

Aatu Raty was a once top-prospect who was one of the biggest steals of the 2021 NHL Draft. Raty didn’t show the all-star potential fans were hoping for this year in Finland. He also didn’t make Finland’s 2021 World Junior team, while his brother Aku, a former fifth-round pick of the Coyotes, did. However, scouts seemed to still rank Raty in the mid-to-late first round.

Last Word On Sports ranked Raty as the 16th best prospect in the draft. Instead, he was still available in the mid-to-late second round. He still has what it takes to be a good two-way playmaker, likely as a second-liner if properly developed. For 52nd overall, Raty is a great pick.

G Tristan Lennox: C+ (3rd Round, 93rd Overall)

A goalie? With a superb goalie tandem in Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin (currently an RFA), taking a goalie so early in the draft leaves many fans scratching their heads. Lennox had .876 save percentage and a 3.63 goals against average through 33 OHL games in 2020. The teams’ 41-16 record, which lead the OHL’s West Division, doesn’t explain Lennox’s poor stats. He also hasn’t played an organized hockey game since March of 2020.

However, that was Lennox’s first OHL season starting, and he has tons of room for improvement. Unfortunately, I can’t see Lennox being anything more than a backup during his best years.

This paragraph from @TheHockeyWriter stood out to me.

“Tristan Lennox is a classic case of someone possessing the raw talent to become a bona fide NHL starter, but is in need of some development and guidance to help him get there.”

Enter Mitch Korn and the Islanders.

— David Lazar (@davidlazar100) July 24, 2021

C Cameron Berg: A- (4th Round, 125th Overall)

Ever since being traded to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2019, Cameron Berg has been on fire in the USHL. In 51 games this year, Berg posted an impressive 27 goals and 58 points. Berg is a very fast player, and likes to lead breakouts and set up offensive opportunities. If he improves his all-around game, working on his defense especially, Berg can be a very good depth piece in the NHL. Attending the University of Nebraska-Omaha next year, Berg plans to continue to work towards a successful NHL career.

RW/LW Eetu Liukas: B (5th Round, 157th Overall)

The Islanders added a physical forward in the fifth round who has a good defensive game. Although Eetu Liukas isn’t known for his offensive production, he has a good shot, specifically a strong one-timer. In 19 games in Finland’s top league, Liukas put up three points and showed off his skills in all areas of the ice. A solid pick up for the Islanders, Liukas has a chance to make the NHL, most likely as depth guy. By this point, though, the Islanders most likely should have drafted a defenseman.

D Aleski Malinen: A (6th Round, 189th Overall)

If one of the Islanders’ draftees in the later rounds becomes the steal of the draft, it’s likely Aleksi Malinen. The Islanders finally upgraded their defensive prospect pool in the sixth round, and they got a solid player. The two-way defenseman is very speedy and is capable of starting rushes by himself. His play style is quite similar to that of current Islanders’ young defenseman Noah Dobson. Malinen had three points in 20 games this year in Finland, and will continue playing in one of the world’s toughest non-NHL leagues to improve his game.

D Tomas Machu: D+ (7th Round, 221st Overall)

The Islanders took another defenseman in Tomas Machu with their final selection in the 2021 NHL Draft. A relatively unknown prospect, Machu is tall, standing 6’4″, but lean and mobile. Machu is also a right-hand shot defenseman, which the Islanders have plenty of already. He has worked up the ranks in the Czech Republic, and will likely begin his career in the country’s top league next year. Machu is a good hockey player, but his chances of making the NHL are very slim.

But hey, it is the seventh round.

Overall Grade: B+

All in all, it was a successful draft weekend for the Islanders. Despite not having a first round selection, the Islanders picked some useful pieces. Highlighted with boom-or-bust second-round selection in Aatu Raty, the Islanders also picked up potential future depth pieces and a solid goaltender.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others