Liukas remains in Finland, now with HIFK in Liiga, after spending previous seasons with TPS and HPK. The 6-3, 203-pound winger has size and a physical edge, but the offensive production in Liiga has plateaued rather than grown. He is 23, and the Islanders have not signed him to an entry-level contract. With his draft rights expiring soon, this is approaching a now-or-never situation. The tools are there in theory (big body, decent hands, willingness to go to the net), but the pace and consistency have not matched what NHL organizations need to see from a late-round pick at this stage. Fantasy managers can pass. Unless Liukas signs an ELC and shows a dramatic offensive leap in North America, the NHL path is effectively closed.

Liukas wrapped up his second full AHL campaign in 2024-25 with a modest uptick in production, posting 11 points in 52 games, which was an improvement over the seven he had the year prior in 52 games. His ice time increased only slightly, and his underlying metrics, including a sub-50% Corsi, suggest he’s still struggling to make a consistent impact. Entering the final year of his entry-level contract, Liukas will need to take a significant step forward to earn a new deal. Without marked improvement, a return to Finland could be on the horizon.

Liukas has had another very slow start to the season in the AHL, producing no points through 17 games played. The 22-year-old has an uphill battle to prove himself the rest of the season; time to turn this season around is running out, so he will need to see a massive shift in his play.

Taken in the fifth round (157th overall) in last year’s amateur draft, the husky winger continues a recent late-round trend for the Isles, who have drafted five Finns in the past two years. Liukas is an enthusiastic participant in the physical side of hockey all over the ice. When he has the puck, he uses his heavy shot to be more of a finisher than a distributor. His production has been muted the past three seasons because he’s been a teen among the men of his country’s top pro hockey league. He has totaled nine scores and six helpers in 70 outings with the Liiga’s TPS squad. He battles hard along the boards and is responsible and even tenacious without the puck. His skating could be better, which isn’t unusual for a young power forward. If his feet develop, it’s not a stretch to imagine him in the Islanders’ bottom six in Cal Clutterbuck or Matt Martin mode.