pucka lucka
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They weren't good defensively. They were just conventional. Conventional thinking isn't going to win any cups in a tiny market like Winnipeg.
Player Discussion: Niku
- Thread starter Hunter368
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I agree, I've wanted a progressive coach for a while now but it's not happening in the near term so I'm trying not allow my views on the coach spoil the year for me.
JetsFan815
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- Jan 16, 2012
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Poolman/Beaulieu may not have been good defensively but to my eye they were definitely better than Niku defensively. My 'clench test' was way worse on Niku than it was on Poolman, I found myself clenching way more with the Niku on ice and the puck in the Jets zone than Poolman or even Beau. Stats bear that out as well.
pucka lucka
Registered User
Yeah. Me too. I've had to suck it up every season in regards to PoMo. I hated the signing the day it happened.
This year we might be deep enough that PoMo won't be able to play dregs over futures. There aren't many spots for PoMo to screw young guys except for Ville. The rest of the young'ns aren't players I am overly high on e.g. Vesa, Gusta
pucka lucka
Registered User
They were probably better in coverage, but not very good and moving the puck forward and useless past the other blue line. I don't think Niku was very good most of the time, but he also was put in the worst spots for his talents. PoMo likes to do that to players he doesn't want to play/succeed.
Agreed. If Chevy ever picked up a vet as bad as Niku was in his own zone, this place would lose itself.
Yep, I agree. No chance of it happening soon, or perhaps ever. I'm avoiding the coaching threads and all PoMo pressers and interviews, and pinning on my hopes on new coaching blood like Dave Lowry and a team that should have enough talent and will to outplay most tactical or roster bottlenecks.
JetsFan815
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- Jan 16, 2012
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Some quotes from Niku on this whole thing: D-man Niku, Winnipeg Jets agree: it was time to move on
Seems like a really good guy. Hopefully he can find a spot somewhere in the NHL.
Seems like a really good guy. Hopefully he can find a spot somewhere in the NHL.
sipowicz
The thrill is gone
- Mar 16, 2011
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he’s a 7th-8th D man on pretty much every team in the league, what was he a #9 D man on the Jets last season!
OldCraig71
Registered User
jokesondee
I’m not fat. I’m cultivating mass.
"There’s also standards that you’d like players to meet. And you know, it was difficult for him"
Interesting tidbit in The Sun from Maurice regarding Niku's time here.
Interesting tidbit in The Sun from Maurice regarding Niku's time here.
Atoyot
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- Jul 19, 2013
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That's where I thought he'd go and it's honestly the best case scenario for him. Bergevin is kind of Moneyballing the Habs a bit, signing players and using them for their strengths, so he'll be allowed to play his game. Regardless if it works out or not I'm excited to see what he's capable of doing.
Hunter368
RIP lomiller1, see you in the next life buddy.
- Nov 8, 2011
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Thats funny, they let Mete go who is much better then Niku and sign Niku.
- Jun 8, 2011
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Expect to watch him in the AHL when your coaches discover he is horrible in his own zone.
Bad defensively. And offensive and puck moving abilities doesnt out weight his shortcomings
Atoyot
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- Jul 19, 2013
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Unknown. I'm not sure we ever got a fair view of what he can do at this level. I know Bergevin likes to let his players play to their strengths and Niku was never allowed to do that so I'm super interested in seeing him play with you guys. Very low risk two way contract, might yield a solid reward.
As for type of dman, great offensive IQ, awful in the defensive zone. His game is built to stay in the offensive zone and he's good at that. Holds the line well and steps up to intercept breakout passes a lot.
Guardian17
Strong & Free
You will get frustrated when he is "bumped" off the puck in the defensive zone resulting in a turnover.
tbcwpg
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- Jan 25, 2011
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Atoyot
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I wonder what Lowry's charts would look like if he was told to stop playing defensively altogether because we're only going to judge him on his offensive abilities? Don't judge a fish by its ability to fly, don't judge a bird by its ability to swim.
- Jun 8, 2011
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Don't judge a defenseman by his ability to play defense!
Hunter368
RIP lomiller1, see you in the next life buddy.
- Nov 8, 2011
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Very soft player, ok offensively but horrible defensively & physically. He’s really at best a bottom pairing bad defensively puck moving D who is soft as butter. He needs major sheltering in any defensive situation, but if you want purely a PP 2nd pairing guy might help Habs in that role
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