NHL Draft: 5 Forwards New Jersey Devils Could Draft With 29th Pick

Aatu Räty

2020-21 Stats: 35 games, 3 goals, 3 assists, 18 PIMs
League: Liiga
Team: Karpat

Aatu Raty was once considered the best player in this class. He had the skill set to become an all-time great. However, he has fallen off the map harder than scouts have seen in a long time. He was not very good in the Finnish Liiga last season, only putting up six points in 35 games. His stock has steadily dropped, and a lot of it clearly has to do with the mental aspects of hockey. Räty is just overthinking every single decision.

Here’s the good news, that’s fixable. There are players who have figured it out, then turned into a monster on the ice. Once the confidence comes back, then the talent takes over. Räty is a clear nominee for this kind of turnaround.

The drop in expectations will actually help Raty. If he’s a top-ten pick, then it comes with top-ten pick expectations. It comes with top-ten pick pressure, and it comes with a fanbase calling on him to perform and turn around a struggling franchise. However, the Devils wouldn’t even make him their most important pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. The guy they take fourth overall would do that.

Räty probably won’t be there for the Devils to pick at 29, but he fits so well with this team that we didn’t want to discount it entirely. The Devils might trade up a little if Räty falls, although losing the 2nd-round pick in the Ryan Graves trade doesn’t help that argument. Räty could still fall all the way to 29 if people believe there are issues they can’t fit. The Devils need Räty to play behind Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. Asking him to be a productive third-line center who could move up as a wing is perfect for what he’s shown so far.