He had a breakout season, which led to all the promise. I think it helped his career to start with a veteran like Cameron Schilling as a d-partner. He got to play with some good prospects in Roslovic, Petan, Appleton and De Leo his first year, so there was some firepower on the Moose. He was the right QB for the PP at the time. Afterwards at both the AHL and NHL level it was clear that he had problems defending. The same coaches who helped Tucker Poolman and Logan Stanley become pros, by improving on their weakness, can't by the same token be responsible for Niku's demise? I think Niku didn't make the necessary improvements, there was some talk that his training regimen was lacksidaisical, whatever the case may be, it's not easy to get to the show. Niku made it but didn't stick. Maybe a new opportunity, new coaches will get him back to his promise. Seems, much like Petan, to be a fringe player.