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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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