The New York Islanders have two prospects in Aatu Räty and William Dufour, who have shown signs of potentially being steals in their respective draft classes as the World Junior Championships continue.
Through round-robin play, Aatu Räty finished as the second-leading goal scorer with three goals and four assists in four games, playing on the top line for Finland. William Dufour, on the third line for Canada, notched two goals and three assists.
Räty was drafted 52nd overall at the 2021 NHL Draft after many experts had him being a top pick before a few seasons of lackluster play during COVID-19. In his first stint with the Bridgeport Islanders to close out his 2021-22 season, Räty showed off his shot and his positioning, and clutchness as well.
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Willam Dufour was selected 152nd overall in 2020 and then put together a ridiculous season in the QMJHL with the St. John Sea Dogs. He scored 56 goals with 60 assists in just 66 games played. He was named MVP of the QMJHL, and then the Sea Dogs went on to win the Memorial Cup, in which Dufour was named MVP after a seven-goal, one-assist performance in four games.
What has stood out about Räty’s play at these World Juniors is not just how strong positionally he is, but how quickly he can get into the right position. And then with the puck on his stick, he does not overthink the situation, showing off quick passes to set up teammates or quick shots to find the back of the net.
For Dufour, his role with Canada limits his playing time, but what has really stood out is his defensive work.
Prior to the WJC, Dufour could be seen as a one-dimensional player, a player like a Kieffer Bellows who has and is working hard to break that mold. But Dufour has shown fine attention to the defensive game, most notably his work on Monday night in shutting down Räty and that top line for Finland.
Prior to the tournament, Räty’s ceiling is likely a no. 2 centerman in the NHL, with Dufour a potential third-line centerman. Now any list you see regarding prospect rankings or expectations, or what I just said above…it means absolutely nothing.
Prospects are merely prospects. Until they prove that their skillsets can translate to the NHL game, it does not matter what they do against 20-year-olds and younger.
Now what I will say is that both Aatu Räty and William Dufour are about to embark on their most important season of their young careers. Both will be at New York Islanders training camp in the fall and most likely both will start in Bridgeport.
Räty will get another glimpse of what life is like in North America, as well as continue to get accustomed to the rink size.
