Benjamin Rautiainen (RW, L, 6’0″, 175, Tappara, 07/12/2005)
Benjamin Rautiainen is a highly intelligent, puck-dominant winger who thrives on pace, vision, and deception. He possesses above-average processing skills and can read pressure and coverage extremely well in the offensive zone. Rautiainen’s value lies in his ability to connect plays with tempo and find seams that others miss—traits that are difficult to teach and carry real NHL value. However, his draft projection is complicated by an extremely low physical threshold, a very poor puck battle win rate (38%), and a lack of goal-scoring punch despite strong usage in one of the best European professional leagues.
Why Benjamin Rautiainen Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Elite Vision and High-End Hockey IQ
Rautiainen consistently processes the game a step ahead of the play. He averages 1.09 pre-shot passes/game in the Liiga, which ranks in the upper tier among draft-eligible forwards in European pro leagues. His 89% pass completion is excellent given his usage in high-danger areas and the tight pressure environment of Liiga competition. He sees layers, delivers passes through coverage, and makes his linemates better.
2) Offensive Creation and Entry Control
With 7:52 average offensive zone time/game, Rautiainen is a consistent driver of play. His ability to carry pucks through the neutral zone and create controlled entries at pace is translatable to North American ice. He generates 1.6 Grade A chances/game, which is strong considering his limited shot volume (3.3 attempts/game) and average TOI (14:54/game). He plays with purpose and detail in the offensive zone and supports possession very well.
3) High-End Processing Speed & Anticipation
His 1.82 giveaways/game is remarkably low for a puck-distributing winger who sees PP1 minutes. He’s quick to recognize shifts in structure, rarely forces low-percentage plays, and supports the puck with excellent timing in motion. His 1.16 puck recoveries/game and 1.04 takeaways/game point to anticipation and a good defensive stick, not just off-puck discipline.
4) Competes Despite Size Deficiency
While he’s not physical (0.32 hits/game), Rautiainen does not shy away from contested areas. He consistently draws penalties (0.43/game) by keeping his feet moving and engaging in races for pucks. His compete isn’t in question—just his ability to win those races and battles at higher levels.
Why Benjamin Rautiainen Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Poor Physical Profile and Strength Deficiencies
At 6’0″, 175 lbs, Rautiainen is undersized and plays even smaller than his frame suggests. His 38% puck battle win rate is one of the lowest among eligible forwards and severely limits his projection as an NHLer. He does not finish checks (0.32 hits/game) and struggles to hold space in contact. Without a physical edge, he will need to develop elite edge work and deception to remain effective.
2) Shot Threat Lacking at a Pro Level
Despite smart zone usage and decent chance generation, Rautiainen’s shot selection and release mechanics need work. He posts a 10% scoring chance conversion rate, and over 50% of his shot attempts are either blocked or miss the net. He does not generate power through his frame and rarely threatens from the slot unless fed from behind the goal line.
3) Power Play Tilted Skillset
Much of Rautiainen’s success stems from his power play usage and space afforded to him as a half-wall distributor. At even strength, his ability to manipulate defenders shrinks as ice closes in. He will need to show he can drive lines without reliance on structured man-advantage situations.
4) Limited Impact in Defensive Transitions
While he supports play well in the defensive zone, he is not a forechecking threat and lacks disruptiveness in defensive transitions. His puck retrievals and stick checks are good, but he doesn’t initiate contact or force turnovers at pace. This limits his utility as a bottom-six winger at the NHL level.
Projection & Outlook
Player Projection: Middle-six offensive winger with power play upside if he adds strength and improves inside game. Project as a skill-forward who makes International noise for Finland, but never comes to North America if his strength does not improve.
Development Path: Will likely stay in Finland for another 1–2 years, ideally gaining 10–15 lbs of functional strength and refining shooting mechanics. Could be a late bloomer if strength and pace can be layered onto his already-elite processing.
Draft Recommendation: 4th–5th Round
Rautiainen is a classic mid-round projection pick: high-end brain, soft skill, puck distribution, and IQ—traits that are highly translatable if he is willing to train and his body can catch up. He may never be a volume shooter or power winger, but if he can become a reliable dual-threat forward with better strength and mechanics, there’s a legitimate chance he plays NHL games. His ceiling is that of a play-driving winger with power play minutes, but the floor is also low if physical limitations persist.