Player Discussion Sami Niku and 7D or not?

[ijuka]

Why didn't he like him you don't waive a guy if he is that talented has to be more to the story.

Maurice told him to stop joining the rush or playing to his strengths, and when he did that he played poorly so he got benched.

He was not going to be a stay-at-home defenseman, to Maurice's dismay.

 

[Scintillating10]

Did Niku play last night? How did he play?

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Did Niku play last night? How did he play?

He clearly demonstrated why Winnipeg released him.

 

[JustAHabFan]

Terrible gave away by Niku and then he stopped skating resulting in the 2nd goal.

 

[Bergevillain]

Terrible gave away by Niku and then he stopped skating resulting in the 2nd goal.

Really really truly bad play on that goal - I didn't see the game but that highlight (lowlight?) stood out to me as the most boneheaded compared to the rest.

 

[sandviper]

I thought he looked spectacular versus Detroit. I guess that proves (to me anyways) that you can’t get too excited about a young player after a blowout win.

 

[frapp10]

Two games in and it’s Gustafson 2.0. Looks great offensively with a couple points one game and then garbage the next

 

[Andy]

I thought he looked spectacular versus Detroit. I guess that proves (to me anyways) that you can’t get too excited about a young player after a blowout win.

Almost every career AHLer can look spectacular vs Detroit.

 

[417]

Again...his mistakes get highlighted, yet he barely plays.

Jeff Petry continues to get away with looking like absolute dog shit, even worse than Niku.

Not a single word.

How about when every other Dman on this team starts playing up to their usual standards, we can focus on every single mistake Niku does.

Until then, he's just like every other Dman on this sad team right now.

 

[Bacchus1]

Has Niku been sent down yet? If they aren’t going to play him they should send him down for a conditioning stint.

 

[Big Empty]

6 points in 12 games and +5 on this edition of the Habs. Not so bad.

 

[BLONG7]

6 points in 12 games and +5 on this edition of the Habs. Not so bad.

Might be the one player, who has actually been playing ok recently......

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Every time I watch him play, I come out puzzled by some of the decision he makes. He's so unorthodox in his positioning or decision making. I'd have so many gray hairs if I were his coach.

 

[Habs Icing]

Every time I watch him play, I come out puzzled by some of the decision he makes. He's so unorthodox in his positioning or decision making. I'd have so many gray hairs if I were his coach.

Well, DD doesn't have to worry about that.

 

[Tyson]

Hasn't been bad lately.
Worth keeping for depth.

 

[BozoTheClown]

Keep Niku!
He’s doesn’t have nothing to prove in the AHL. Niku has 16 points in 66 NHL games, while only averaging 14:38 minutes per games and 17 seconds of PP time.
I think there is room for improvement and he just turned 25 years old.
I wish him to turn into a light version Dan Boyle.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Can't say he's really playing bad, and he skates ok, but man, he is a weird looking dude on the ice. He can be awkwardly smooth, or smoothly awkward on the same play.

Depth for when we trade Chiarot and Kulak at this point.

 

[Dutronc]

6 points in 12 games and +5 on this edition of the Habs. Not so bad.

Dont tell that to those clowns on 91.9.
God I hate Martin Lemay..

 

[Vachon23]

I really don't like him personally, he's horrible defensively. I prefer Clague

 

[Garnet76]

Been playing better in my opinion. I feel there is a spot for him if he continues to play this way. You need a guy who can make a pass and QB a PP.

 

[Natey]

He's a solid enough player. For being shit on as terrible defensively (and yes, it's not the be all-end all stat).. being a +5 on a team that is -50 goal differential this season... is pretty insane.

While he screws up - he's cheap. He has a good first pass. He's got good vision in the offensive zone. Personally... I think he's completely fine as a bottom pairing. I also think you would barely notice him if we actually had... defense above him.

He's still fairly young too... he could definitely continue to improve. I'm a fan.

 

[De Montreal]

Is he gonna finish the year in Laval? It seems to be like he was not having a bad year. Maybe he'd be better under MSL? Ducharme didnt gave him much of a chance.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

I was more impressed with Niku than Clague. Both aren't good defensively and make plenty of mistakes, but I found Niku to be at least more effective offensively.

Regardless, neither will be here long-term and Schuneman has outplayed both of them by a significant margin.

 

[montreal]

The only way I would want to see either Niku or Clauge on the Habs next year is if the tank is on.

 

[MilesNewton]

I was more impressed with Niku than Clague. Both aren't good defensively and make plenty of mistakes, but I found Niku to be at least more effective offensively.

Regardless, neither will be here long-term and Schuneman has outplayed both of them by a significant margin.

Agree Clague was definitely in over his head