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The World Junior Hockey Championships kick off on Boxing Day, providing a great chance to get a look at your favourite team’s top prospects. This year, however, the New York Islanders will be without any players at the tournament.
It’s an unfortunate stat, as a few prospects seemed to have a good shot at being part of the tournament. Notably, Aatu Raty, the team’s first pick in last year’s NHL Draft at 52nd overall, tested positive for COVID-19 and won’t be able to participate. Raty had been named to the roster and would’ve undoubtedly been a key part of Finland’s forward group, given he’s been averaging more than a point per game in Finland’s top professional league this season.
Another Islanders’ prospect out of Finland, defenseman Matias Rajaniemi, was cut from the team's final roster. Rajaniemi was selected by the Islanders in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft and the omission comes as somewhat of a surprise, given that he was part of Finland’s roster last year and went on to capture a Bronze Medal.
William Dufour, New York’s fifth-round pick from 2020 also won’t be participating, after being cut from Canada’s final roster. Dufour has been a standout this season in the QMJHL, scoring 22 goals and 47 points in 28 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs.
While I don’t think it’s a huge deal not to have any prospects in the tournament, especially considering Raty would’ve been an impact player at the event, it does point to a relatively shallow prospect pool, when you see other teams with several prospects participating. That said, the Islanders have been in win-now mode and have only had one pick total in the first two rounds of the 2020 and 2021 Drafts combined. Given the tournament only includes the last two years worth of draft picks, it checks out that the Islanders would have less top prospects fighting for roster spots.
In other news, the NHL has also announced that games will now be postponed until Tuesday, December 28.
As a result, the Islanders’ game on Monday, December 27 against the Buffalo Sabres will be pushed back and the team will return to action on Wednesday, December 29, as they face the Detroit Red Wings, kicking off a stretch three home games in four days.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Islanders’ losing streak reaches 11 games
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Islanders place Anatolii Golyshev on waivers to terminate contract
Islanders allow late goal in loss to Predators, remain winless at UBS Arena
Islanders finally pick up first win at UBS Arena, beat Devils 4-2
Islanders fail to build momentum, lose 2-1 to Red Wings
Islanders pick up win over Bruins
Islanders lose to Golden Knights in shootout, game vs. Canadiens postponed
Islanders' upcoming game vs. Capitals postponed
Islanders are down but not out after disastrous start to the season 
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