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

Islanders Anxiety: A New York Islanders podcast

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.

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