Recalled/Assigned: Jets Recall Sami Niku (UPD re-assigned to the Moose April 21)

[Whileee]

I cannot see him not making it. His skating is too good. I think if he "gets" the NHL pro game he could be very productive. Everything he has done this year in the AHL has been great. Even his slight improvements in the defensive zone. He doesn't need to be this stalwart because his greatest asset is the ability to move the puck quickly and effectively out of his zone. Plus he has that good enough size that he won't get completely dominated down low.

I completely agree. It's not just Niku's skating, which is outstanding, but also how quickly he seems to process the game and move the puck. He'll need to increase his pace and intensity defensively to close gaps and disrupt plays in his zone, just as Morrissey did. He will probably also need to improve his strength a bit to have a full-time NHL role. I think that by sometime next year he should be able to play effectively at the NHL level, at least in a bottom pairing role. In the future, I think he has top-4 potential.

 

[Atoyot]

I don' know if that's true. I would think that Chiarot wouldn't've seen a shift.

I truly believe he would have rotated Buff and Myers.

 

[MMANumminen]

Sämi Nikju? Pronounce it Nicu and you get it right

 

[Aavco Cup]

NHLPA put this one out

 

[Lempo]

Sämi Nikju? Pronounce it Nicu and you get it right

Say 'Nik Ehlers' but substitute Ehlers with a sudden surprised gorilla sound.

... or go listen from the butten next to his name: Sami Niku

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

NHLPA put this one out

Needs a pic next to buff for context.

 

[Atoyot]

Sämi Nikju? Pronounce it Nicu and you get it right

So like...Knee-soo?

 

[Trinity]

He reminds me of Erik Karlsson.

 

[garret9]

So this is a good article to send teams if you want to sell your services to them.

Mostly posted it since I discussed why Niku dropped at the time from a projected 2nd rounder to 7th round, and how the reasoning behind that drop was illogical.

 

[CorgisPer60]

The Jets capitalised on a market inefficiency. I like it. Also, I hope Beyak fixes his pronunciation of Niku's last name for the next game. "Ni-Q" is wrong.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Say 'Nik Ehlers' but substitute Ehlers with a sudden surprised gorilla sound.

... or go listen from the butten next to his name: Sami Niku

Tell that to Beyak.

 

[Board Bard]

Tell that to Beyak.

John-Michael Nee-Cue.

 

[CaptainChef]

They grow up so fast...your son looked pretty slick in his first game. Love that PMo tossed him out there in OT.

Yep, that's the side of PMo I want to see a lot more of. Trust the kids & the rookies enough to put them out there 3 on 3, PP & PK, and even shootout (if they're hot). Not saying everyone is cut out for that role, but the business of guys like Morrissey needing to earn those opportunities just isn't right

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

He reminds me of Erik Karlsson.

Trying to restrain the excessive exuberance - but at least stylistically, yes.

Karlsson has about 15 lbs on Niku and Sami may need to gain about that without losing speed/agility. But I'm pretty confident that he is going to be a good one.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

The Jets capitalised on a market inefficiency. I like it. Also, I hope Beyak fixes his pronunciation of Niku's last name for the next game. "Ni-Q" is wrong.

Agree - but I expect he will. Beyak is usually pretty good with that kind of detail. He is very professional - despite his quirks.

 

[CaptainChef]

Trying to restrain the excessive exuberance - but at least stylistically, yes.

Karlsson has about 15 lbs on Niku and Sami may need to gain about that without losing speed/agility. But I'm pretty confident that he is going to be a good one.

Pumped about this guys upside DEFINITELY. Jets need a good rushing/speedy defenseman in their lineup & looks like this kid could fill that role. Put him alongside a good stay at home defenseman like Poolman & we've got it made.

 

[BB88]

He played very well. Terrific in the offensive zone, great skating. Needs to clean up his defensive zone play though.

1st game rarely says anything on that.

That's likely true but these kids rarely play their game on their 1st game.

 

[Nate070]

Give me that hair. I will put it on my face

 

[SUX2BU]

Used him in the Sports Name game thread on here.

Hopefully will take awhile to figure out another name ....

 

[Do or Die]

Future Enstrom replacement, with more offensive upside.....

 

[EXTRAS]

Future Enstrom replacement, with more offensive upside.....

Enstrom had 2 50+ point seasons. If niku ever does that id be quite satisfied.

 

[ps241]

Mostly posted it since I discussed why Niku dropped at the time from a projected 2nd rounder to 7th round, and how the reasoning behind that drop was illogical.

Yea it’s solid and also talks about why he had better value at the time.

 

[jets2020champs]

Did anyone else catch the play where Niku was skating out of the zone, (almost got to the blue line),then you hear Buff calling for the puck at the opposite corner wall. So Niku passes back towards his own net where Buff gets the puck behind the net. I watched that about 3 times, and I’m sure if Niku didn’t pass it back, he would have been stripped of the puck. There were 3 Canadiens going to him on the play.

 

[Tommigun]

Give me that hair. I will put it on my face

Hmmm... maybe that’s where Laine got the inspiration from, but he’s doing it wrong

 

[Tommigun]

Did anyone else catch the play where Niku was skating out of the zone, (almost got to the blue line),then you hear Buff calling for the puck at the opposite corner wall. So Niku passes back towards his own net where Buff gets the puck behind the net. I watched that about 3 times, and I’m sure if Niku didn’t pass it back, he would have been stripped of the puck. There were 3 Canadiens going to him on the play.

No, do you have the approximate time code for that?
Btw Buff was smiling so hard when Niku scored, maybe he took him as his project