Weird Islanders: The Podcast! - Episode 54 - Aatu Räty (with guest Jake from Skates at the Stakes)

4 days ago  /  Lighthouse Hockey

From a draft steal to a “lose-lose” trade that ended up being a “win-win-win” trade for (almost) everyone. Joined by frequent prospect watcher Jake from the Skates at the Stakes podcast, we remember Aatu Räty’s surprise drafting and splashy debut for the Islanders before he became part of a massive trade.
Once expected to be a Top 10 pick, Räty’s stock dropped precipitously in his draft year and he fell to the Islanders in the second round, which seemed like a steal at the time. Scoring a goal in his first NHL game only reinforced that idea. But about a month later, he was included in a deal for All Star Bo Horvat that launched a thousand awful hot takes that have only gotten more laughable over time.
Jake tells us what drove him to watching prospects, what his thoughts on Räty were at the time of his drafting and his trade away and just how likely it is that the forward finds another new home at some point. Plus, Mike makes a bold predication we’ll have to keep an eye on (possibly many years into the future).
Thanks again to Jake for coming on and remember to listen to he, AJ and Ryan (now all Weird Islanders: The Podcast! guests) on the Skates at the Stakes podcast.
Note: This episode was recorded before the season began. Räty made the Canucks roster out of camp but was assigned to Abbotsford of the AHL on Oct. 16.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL!

At one point seen as a first round talent, Raty’s draft year saw his stock plunge and his joy for the game lost.
The Islanders didn’t have a first round pick in 2021, but were happy to take Raty with their first pick in the second round. At the time, this was considered somewhat of a steal.
After a disjointed but not altogether terrible season in his native Finland (under Jukurit coach and fellow Weird Islander Olli Jokinen), Raty was brought over and assigned to Bridgeport. He ended up scoring the goal that sent the Baby Isles to the second round for the first time since 2003.



He would spend the next season in Connecticut but was called up in December of 2022 and promptly scored his first NHL goal in an Islanders win over the Panthers. Raty’s debut was a big deal.

For a first NHL goal, this is pretty sick.



Just before the 2023 All Star Game, the Islanders sent Raty, Anthony Beauvillier and a first round pick (that was later traded to Detroit for Filip Hronek)to the Canucks in exchange for Bo Horvat. While some were perplexed at the time, Horvat has been as advertised, while Beauvillier has become a journeyman and Raty has yet to really establish himself in the NHL. Doesn’t sound like a “lose-lose trade,” does it?
Raty has been good for AHL Abbottsford, netting two four point games last season, the first coming in one team record-setting period.



What makes a “Weird Islander?”
We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.


Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more.

Visit our friends!


Vintage Ice Hockey for t-shirts, hoodies and jerseys featuring hundreds of classic hockey logos, as well as Islanders Anxiety merch, and our Al Arbour and The Island shirts. Our portion of the sales benefit the Center for Dementia Research. Use the code ANXIETY20 to save 20% off an order of two items.

The Pinot Project has Rosé, Pinot Grigio and a Pinot Noir that was named a 2024 Top 100 Best Buy by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. All are under $15 a bottle and are available at local wine shops and at UBS Arena.
Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).
Theme song: “Knuckles” by Björn Falk. Hear more of his music on Spotify and at Bandcamp.
Drum sfx via Zapsplat.com. Jingle bell sfx also via ZapSplat.


Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
All Islanders Anxiety podcasts are available on:

Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
Audible.com
I Heart Radio

NEW! YouTube and YouTube Music

And everywhere podcasts are found


...

Read Full Article.