Niku on waivers for buyout

[MBH]

Jets place defenceman Sami Niku on waivers for purpose of buyout
Worth a look?
Do we have anyone worth a damn at LD this year?
Sami Niku Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

LD: Leddy, Dekeyser, Staal, Oesterle
Basically 4 guys who won't be here in March.

Click to read more...

 

[cjm502]

If a team is comfortable having an offensive minded PP specialist on their bottom pairing I could see Niku getting a shot elsewhere. He has games where his defense isn't awful, but his consistency in the defensive zone just hasn't been there.

I generally enjoy the idea of giving a younger player with potential a shot. He is 25 next month, so not super young, but defenseman often take longer then forwards to develop. Also, it's not like the Wings have a plethora of young defenseman in the AHL knocking on the door who he would be taking a roster spot from. It could be another fun storyline to follow this season.

I think it comes down to three things.
1.) Is coaching/management comfortable having this type of player on the 3rd pairing?
2.) Would he improve the Wings PP over what they currently have penciled in?
3.) How much does coaching/management think he can realistically improve his game?

 

[Gniwder]

$725k salary and bought out
DB has his weight at 176lbs, and if that's correct, he's not Stevie's type

 

[Killerjas]

If they are looking for a 3rd line D, then maybe. Hasn't played since March. Meh, I would say PASS

 

[Henkka]

LD: Leddy, Dekeyser, Staal, Oesterle
Basically 4 guys who won't be here in March.

Quite sure 3 of them will be here when season ends.

I wouldn't mind adding Niku, he is kind of another Cholowski. Bad at own end, but free try.

 

[Pavels Dog]

We don’t have roster space right now and long-term I don’t see how he fits in really.

 

[Syckle78]

It doesn't make sense to me to to think Leddy wont be here at seasons end. IMO he was brought in with the intent to be Seiders partner.

 

[bearball]

It doesn't make sense to me to to think Leddy wont be here at seasons end. IMO he was brought in with the intent to be Seiders partner.

I am sure the hope is that Seider won't be in dire need of a partner by the time it comes to move on from Leddy at the TDL. An experienced offensive guy to shepherd him through the first 2/3's of the season will be good for him, but he probably won't need his hand holding the entire way.

 

[Retire91]

We need to fill from the top down. Depth like this is easy to add when we have a real core. I don't see any potential here other than bottom pairing 7th D material. It's a pass for me.

edit: just want to add Leddy will be here more than one year, book it

 

[Frk It]

• We have absolutely no good LD
• There's no way Leddy is here beyond the trade deadline.

This has never made any sense to me.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

Jets place defenceman Sami Niku on waivers for purpose of buyout
Worth a look?
Do we have anyone worth a damn at LD this year?
Sami Niku Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

LD: Leddy, Dekeyser, Staal, Oesterle
Basically 4 guys who won't be here in March.

No, seems like a waste of time. What makes this guy different from Christian Djoos?

 

[Henkka]

No, seems like a waste of time. What makes this guy different from Christian Djoos?

Good comparable.

 

[Henkka]

just want to add Leddy will be here more than one year, book it

I see also Leddy extended.

 

[Number1RedWingsFan52]

Jets place defenceman Sami Niku on waivers for purpose of buyout
Worth a look?
Do we have anyone worth a damn at LD this year?
Sami Niku Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

LD: Leddy, Dekeyser, Staal, Oesterle
Basically 4 guys who won't be here in March.

Oesterle is 100% in Detroit, As he signed a 2 year deal. The rest i agree with perhaps Yzerman resigns Nick Leddy.

 

[Syckle78]

I am sure the hope is that Seider won't be in dire need of a partner by the time it comes to move on from Leddy at the TDL. An experienced offensive guy to shepherd him through the first 2/3's of the season will be good for him, but he probably won't need his hand holding the entire way.

I think that's pretty unrealistic to think a rookie defenseman is going to be beyond needing a steady partner within his first season.

 

[Dotter]

Won't improve the team and won't have trade value by TDL. Pass.

 

[Bench]

If Leddy does well, he'll be back. Trading him for the same price you just paid means you're right back where you started looking for another guy like Leddy.

A trade happens if he isn't a great fit or has contract demands beyond what the Wings want to commit to.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

• We have absolutely no good LD
• There's no way Leddy is here beyond the trade deadline.

This has never made any sense to me.

People have to remember that re-signing is a two way street. While I don't think Leddy is pouting about being here, it isn't in the realm of possibility at all that he'd explore the market, given his pedigree and age.

He'd be in demand. Maybe he sees potential as a leader on this team, maybe not, but if there is any indication he is about to test the market, I feel you have to ship him.

 

[ShelbyZ]

If Leddy does well, he'll be back. Trading him for the same price you just paid means you're right back where you started looking for another guy like Leddy.

A trade happens if he isn't a great fit or has contract demands beyond what the Wings want to commit to.

Given the recent payments for guys like David Savard or Rasmus Ristolainen, if all Yzerman can get for Leddy is a late 2nd and Richard Panik, he should be immediately fired and have his banner taken down and the #19 put back into circulation.

 

[Gniwder]

No, seems like a waste of time. What makes this guy different from Christian Djoos?

Less NHL experience and no Stanley Cup?

Niku is actually worse, and just as weak.

 

[Lil Sebastian Cossa]

Less NHL experience and no Stanley Cup?

Niku is actually worse, and just as weak.

But hey, he’s a shitty player we don’t have.. maybe we should pick him up!

 

[Oddbob]

I like how every single waiver player needs to be a target for us.

 

[deca guard]

I like how every single waiver player needs to be a target for us.

 

[Henkka]

I like how every single waiver player needs to be a target for us.

We are losing all those, Nestrasils, Frks and Pulkkinens!

 

[bearball]

I think that's pretty unrealistic to think a rookie defenseman is going to be beyond needing a steady partner within his first season.

I would ordinarily agree, but Seider does have 3 years of professional experience and has always found himself excelling at his level by at least the mid way point, if not before.

Obviously the NHL is an entirely different beast and looking at moving Leddy on should only be judged within the context of how Seider is doing at the time because nothing can be guaranteed.