The Islanders have not participated in the first round of the last two NHL Drafts. This was due to them acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators in 2020 and Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils in 2021. However, two Islanders prospects are lighting it up this season: Aatu Raty and William Dufour.

C, Aatu Raty

Drafted 52nd overall by the Islanders in 2021

A year before the 2021 NHL Draft, scouts projected Aatu Raty as the first overall selection. In his first full season in the Liiga (Finland’s top league), Raty had just six points in 35 games for his club, Karpat. This disappointing scoring output seriously hurt his draft stock. Still, by the Islanders’ 52nd overall pick, scouts did not predict Raty to be available.

After scoring just one point in six games for Karpat to start this season, Raty was sent to Jukurit. European prospects are often expected to play in professional leagues with players of all ages, Raty included. This results in a lack of ice time, which can produce low point totals for players, mainly in Finland, Sweden and Russia. It’s clear Raty fell victim to this.

However, Raty got a bigger role with Jukurit and flourished. Raty has scored 40 points in 41 games this season with Jukurit. Anything near point-per-game statistics in Finland, Sweden or Russia means you’re probably good enough to be at least a depth player in the NHL. Raty is doing this at just 20 years old.

Still, it’s unlikely Raty will play for the Islanders soon. Most European prospects (excluding early first-round selections) tend to stick around for a while longer before coming to North America. Raty might play one or two more seasons in Finland. If the Islanders request his services by this offseason, however, Raty will likely light up the scoresheet in the AHL and maybe even be in the NHL towards the end of next season.

RW, William Dufour

Drafted 152nd overall by the Islanders in 2020

William Dufour was also an overlooked prospect that fell into the Islanders’ lap in the fifth round in the 2020 NHL Draft. But don’t let that draft position fool you, Dufour is looking very promising. When the Islanders drafted Dufour, he was coming off a QMJHL season where he scored 55 points in 49 games for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens and Drummondville Voltigeurs. This was enough to consider Dufour as a third or fourth-round prospect, but the Islanders got him in the fifth-round. In the shortened 2021 season, Dufour continued at a similar rate in Drummondville with 29 points in 23 games. During the offseason, Drummondville dealt Dufour to the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Just like Raty, switching teams has paid tremendous dividends for Dufour’s progress. In 45 games so far, Dufour has an incredible 42 goals and 44 assists for 86 points with only 30 penalty minutes. Eliteprospects.com predicts Dufour to finish with a grand total of 121 points. For NHL standards, anything over 110 points is really impressive. Sure he’s a couple of years older by now, but if a player scored that many points in a QMJHL season, they would certainly be a first-round selection.

This will most likely be Dufour’s final QMJHL season. Unlike European prospects like Raty, North American prospects tend to sign their first NHL contracts at younger ages. So, expect to see Dufour on the Bridgeport Islanders next season. Perhaps, if he impresses, he could get some NHL ice time.

All statistics accurate as of March 16, 2022.

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