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This week, two New York Islanders prospects were named to preliminary rosters for the 2021 World Juniors. Here are the updates:
HOLMSTROM NAMED TO SWEDEN’S PRELIMINARY WJC ROSTER
Islanders 2019 first-round pick Simon Holmstrom was named to Sweden’s preliminary roster for this year’s World Junior tournament. Sweden will need to cut several players before naming a final roster but Holmstrom has a good shot at making the team.
RAJANIEMI NAMED TO FINLAND’S PRELIMINARY WJC ROSTER
A more under-the-radar prospect, Matias Rajaniemi was also named to a preliminary roster for the World Juniors. Rajaniemi, a defenseman, was drafted by the Islanders in the sixth-round of this year’s NHL draft and will be competing for a spot on Finland’s roster.
As for this week’s poll questions, here are the results and my thoughts on how they turned out:
QUESTION: Do you agree that a top-line winger is New York’s biggest need?
(Votes: 105)
Yes: 93%
No: 7%
The Islanders have a strong, well-rounded roster but they’re still in need of a top-line winger. If they can acquire someone to play with Mathew Barzal, the Islanders become a very dangerous team.
QUESTION: Would you be happy with Andy Greene/Noah Dobson as the team’s third pairing?
(Votes: 159)
Yes: 94%
No: 6%
I think this is probably not only the most likely option for New York’s third pairing, I also think it makes for a fairly strong pairing. Greene is solid defensively and would help to compensate for any mistakes made by Dobson, as he adjusts to becoming a full-time NHL defender.
QUESTION: Are you in favour of the Islanders trading more draft picks for additions to their lineup?
(Votes: 131)
No: 63%
Yes: 37%
Obviously if there’s a huge upgrade the Islanders could make (specifically to their forward group) and the price is reasonable, you don’t pass up the opportunity with the team in win-now mode. However, the Islanders need to put some focus into building up their prospect pool, as some of their key players get to the point where they may see a decline in a couple of years.
QUESTION: Do you think Simon Holmstrom will make Sweden’s final WJC roster?
(Votes: 57)
Yes: 54%
No: 46%
Holmstrom is by no means a lock to make the team, but he is a strong contender. He’s been playing professional hockey from the time he was drafted and it would be interesting to see him go back and play against younger competition for a quick stretch, just to see what he’s able to do.
QUESTION: Do you think Matias Rajaniemi will make Finland’s final WJC roster?
(Votes: 35)
Yes: 54%
No: 46%
I’d personally say I like Holmstrom’s chances of making a World Junior roster more than Rajaniemi’s chances, but there were just 10 defenders named to Finland’s preliminary roster, so Rajaniemi could certainly win a spot.
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OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Re-signing Andy Greene has become more important for Islanders
Islanders should try to avoid trading draft picks going forward
Simon Holmstrom named to Sweden’s preliminary WJC roster
Matias Rajaniemi named to Finland’s preliminary WJC roster 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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