LA Kings Draft: Aatu Räty 2021 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

1 of 3

There was a time when Aatu Räty was believed to be the consensus number one pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Even before the 2020 NHL Draft had started, most way-too-early mock draft boards had the Finnish centerman at the top for the following season. He also closely profiles a current LA Kings player.

The Oulunsalo, Finland native, was omitted from Team Finland’s World Juniors roster. While the numbers weren’t there playing in a league against grown men, Räty registered 14 shots in three games, including a goal in mid-January, while seeing his TOI nearly double from the Fall.

He plays a physical style, with ELITE stickhandling handling skills. He was frequently utilized in the shootout, making the opposing goalies look foolish. Räty will not go number one overall, but he brings a nasty wrist shot to his prospective NHL team.

He’d probably be a reach for the LA Kings with their first-round pick, but Aatu Räty brings a physical and quick playing style.

Aatu Räty, C/LW

Vitals

Age: 18
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 181 lbs
Shot: L

Rankings

Ranked #11 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #12 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #19 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #3 by NEUTRAL ZONE
Ranked #12 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #14 by SPORTSNET’S
Ranked #13 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #11 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #11 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #9 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Ranked #7 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY
Ranked #20 by TSN/McKenzie

LA Kings (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report

February 2021 – Räty was left of the Finnish World Junior roster and as Michael Jordan would say, he took that personally. His play in the Liiga since January has been much stronger and more resemblant of the player that we all thought he was coming into the year. He may not be in contention for number one but should he keep up this improved play, he should be able to stay in the conversation in the top-ten. There is still a solid two-way center with a wicked wrister that can be had by whoever drafts Räty. It’s going to be interesting to see how the up-and-down Finn finishes the year. Dobber Prospects/Ferrari November 2020 – It has been something of an auspicious start to the Finnish forward’s draft-eligible campaign. Expected to take a leap forward against Liiga competition, Räty has struggled to maintain his spot in the Kärpät lineup. The result has been a demotion to the U20 circuit where he’s looked more like his old self, producing seven points in eight contests. Räty remains an explosive, two-way centre in a class void of elite forward talent. Don’t let the slow start fool you, he is a projectable player with a high upside. Dobber Prospects/Robinson

Production

19-20: 2G, 19A, 28 PIM, +16 in 30 games for Kärpät U20 (SM-Liiga)
19-20: 2G, 2A, 2 PIM, 0 +/- in 12 games for Kärpät (Liiga)
19-20: 2G, 2A, 2 PIM, 0 +/- in 3 games for Finland U18 (Hlinka)
20-21: 3G, 3A, 18 PIM, 0 +/- in 35 games for Kärpät (Liiga)

Video Highlights

Pro Comparison

Home / Draft

He’d probably be a reach for the LA Kings with their first-round pick, but Aatu Räty brings a physical and quick playing style.

Aatu Räty, C/LW

Schedule