A Finnish Sidney Crosby making his way to the NHL!

The 2020 Draft lottery and event might be one for the ages, similar in suspense as the one held in 2005 when the Pittsburgh Penguins landed superstar Sidney Crosby, but it seems like the 2021 NHL Draft will be just as exciting. 

Why? Oh well, that’s because some experts are reporting that the projected first overall pick in 2021 will be someone known to be the next Crosby. A Finnish version of the kid that is. 

While the player itself, Aatu Raty refuses to think ahead of the 2021 NHL Draft, analysts have been comparing him to Sidney Crosby for months now and could become the first player from Finland to get selected first overall in an NHL Draft. 

“To be the first Finnish player to go No. 1 overall would be a huge honour, but I don’t really think about it,” the 17-year-old insists. “I just work on my game and if I play well in Liiga and with the national team then it might be possible.

“I don’t feel any pressure, so I guess I don’t have to do anything special to deal with it,” he added with a chuckle. “You don’t want to be thinking too much about mock drafts and stuff like that. You just focus on your game and if you play well then people will think you’re great and draft you high.”

When he was asked about the pressure he feels to get picked first, to be the next Crosby, Raty had the perfect answer. 

“No, not really,” he said. “The only pressure is from myself to be great.”

Reminds you of the competitive attitude of the Penguins’ captain? Oh hell yes. 

The young forward made his debut in the top Finnish league this season, taking part in 12 games and scoring twice while adding two assists. He also made a positive impact at the World Juniors, scoring twice in seven games.
He already stands 6-foot-1, 181 pounds, and remains focused on becoming the first pick for any NHL team out there. 

Crosby is his favourite player on the ice, and we bet there is a sense of great accomplishment in being compared to him. While he refused to say he models his game after Sid, because he is too good, he explained why he loves so much about his game.

“Play-making ability and skating and, I mean, his overall game. He doesn’t have any holes in his game so that’s why.”

We know any team in the league would love to get a player as talented as Crosby on the ice and that could be next summer at the Draft when Raty awaits to be selected… first!