Islanders Liukas Will Play in North America This Season: 'I'm Staying Here'

The New York Islanders have some new faces at rookie camp, including European forward Eetu Liukas. Here's our 1-on-1 with the young forward, who is coming over to North America this season.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders have some new faces at rookie camp, including European forward Eetu Liukas.

Since the Islanders used their 2021 fifth-round pick on the Finnish forward, Liukas has faired well in the Finnish Elite League and on the international stage. 

But the biggest question facing Liukas and the Islanders is when he was planning to come to North America.

Turns out, he bought a one-way ticket to rookie camp.

"I'm staying here," Liukas told The Hockey News following Friday's skate. "I'm not going back to Europe. I will stay here."

This is tremendous news for the organization as Liukas can start learning the Islanders system and potentially find his way onto the NHL roster in the next few seasons.

Although Liukas, 20, has only skated with his fellow prospects for two days, he's enjoyed his time here. 

"So good, so far. I'm enjoying my time here a lot," Liukas said. "All the people here are so nice, and obviously, the facilities here are so good, so I'm enjoying my time."

In Europe, Liukas has been an incredibly versatile player, playing up and down the lineup, wearing many hats for TPS, where he spent three seasons, and HPK, where he played a season ago.

However, his skill sets align perfectly with that of a bottom-six forward, and for the crowd that thinks the Islanders are overpopulated with those kinds of players, it's a critical role -- and Liukas plays it well. 

With the Islanders' fourth line not getting any younger, Liukas has a solid chance to be part of the new generation of fan-favorite fourth-liners. 

"I'm a bottom-six player. I think my strengths are there, playing physical, and I play a good two-way game," Liukas said. "But I'm not afraid to score, either. So let's see, but I think my strengths are bottom six."

In Europe, the rinks are a tad shorter length-wise but around 15 feet wider. That's why we see more skill and less hitting overseas.

It's also why Liukas feels more comfortable on North American ice, as he loves to play along the boards. 

"I feel a lot more comfortable here than in Europe," Liukas said. "My strengths are being physical, being good in the battles, and winning those."

While Liukas wouldn't be classified as an enforcer, he has no issues dropping the gloves. When asked about fighting in hockey, Liukas believes there's a time and a place but that glove-dropping belongs in the sport. 

"I think it is part of the game, but obviously, there are times when the fight is like really good, and then there are times when it's unnecessary," Liukas said. "But I think that makes the game a little bit cleaner. Obviously, not counting those dirty plays that much if there's a response for that."

For many, coming to a new team in a new country is overwhelming, but it helps if you know a player or two in the room. 

"Oh, Ruslan [Iskhakov]. We played together at TPS," Liukas said. "So I knew him, but otherwise, all are new [teammates]."

Watching Islanders hockey has been challenging for Liukas, given the time difference. But he's seen enough to know the type of game New York plays. 

"The time zone is so different in Finland (plus seven hours), so it's a little bit harder," Liukas said. "I've seen some games. I  know what kind of style they play, and hopefully, I can get there."