Player Discussion: Sami Niku

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AKAChip

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Nov 19, 2013
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That holds true for most checkers or "defensive" forwards. The fact is, the requirements associated with offense is at a higher skill level than the requirements associated with checking those players.
I think you misunderstand. My argument is guys like Chiarot and Stuart, known as big, strong PK specialists, were actually statistically pretty terrible on the PK. Same thing with Letestu. A lot of coaches think physical and old equates to a good PKer. Granted, the passive scheme we’ve run for years is terrible for everyone but just because Bitetto plays on the PK and Niku doesn’t, it doesn’t mean Bitetto is an actually effective PKer. Generally “good PKer” is a meaningless buzzword.
 

ecolad

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Nov 17, 2015
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Hmmmm . There are many, many factors that need to be evaluated when deciding whether Bitetto or Niku should be playing right now - far too many to even begin listing them; nevermind debating them. An assessment of each of their probable on-ice impact is absolutely critical but Maurice will be looking at the decision through his own special prism:D. He will also be taking into account how either affects the room ; how either changes the preparedness of the team to be successful in a 'heavy' division: whether either can better contribute to his own PK system; and whether either would create options for revamping the entire D structure. Let me hasten to say that I think it extemely unlikely that Maurice would view these matters as I do!:D

I do hope however that the organization keeps squarely in mind the broader issue of how the decision affects the development of Niku himself. As someone pointed out earlier, too much time in the AHL, without a legitimate opportunity
on the big club, is not the way to go and brings it`s own set of problems.
 

JetsUK

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Oct 1, 2015
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My theory is there's an addition to the "dress code" that long hair is out this year. Perreault got the memo, Farm Boy and Boylou are flirting with disrespect, but Sami is clearly sticking with the flow in defiance, and must be punished. :nod:

No one seems to have told Captain "Morgan" Wheeler, currently sporting his own positively piratical set of long locks...
 

Zhamnov5GoalGame

Former Director of GDT Operations
Jan 14, 2012
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It’s hard for me to reconcile this situation.
Niku is a player the Jets drafted and have developed.
He’s won d-men Of the year in the AHL and already rode the line last season for the Jets.
To lose the number of players we did and then have Buff walk and Beaulieu injured and not find a way to get this guy on the ice is crazy.

This season is a chance to really test what we already have in the system. I guess one theory could be they plan to send Ville down at 9 games and then have Niku take over a role at that point. Maurice might not want two small young guys in at the same time. Poor thought process from my perspective in this situation and given competition for said spots.

Niku seems to deserve a shot here.
 

EXTRAS

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Jul 31, 2012
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Morrissey was a 13th overall pick and didn't become an NHLer until he was 21 years 6 months.

Niku was a 7th round pick, and is exactly 1.5 years older than Morrissey was when he broke into the league.

I'd say this is expected. If Niku becomes a full time NHLer this season, that wouldn't be any more shocking than morrissey waiting until 21 1/2.
 

ffh

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Jul 16, 2016
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Draft position is irrelevant here. Judge the player on the merit of what he’s done.
Thay actually are judging him on merit. He is not special as dmen prospects go. He will play plenty this year because of injuries. Poolman passing him on the depth charts is not a good sign for him. Believe this if he merited being in over poolman and bitetto he would be.
 

AKAChip

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Nov 19, 2013
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Thay actually are judging him on merit. He is not special as dmen prospects go. He will play plenty this year because of injuries. Poolman passing him on the depth charts is not a good sign for him. Believe this if he merited being in over poolman and bitetto he would be.
He’s not special according to what scale? Is this team flush with great talent either in the pro ranks or the prospect pool on defence? He is infinitely better than Bitetto. This is a fact by every measure that exists. This should be a damning bit of evidence against Maurice to anyone paying attention.
 

Holden Caulfield

Eternal Skeptic
Feb 15, 2006
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Thay actually are judging him on merit. He is not special as dmen prospects go. He will play plenty this year because of injuries. Poolman passing him on the depth charts is not a good sign for him. Believe this if he merited being in over poolman and bitetto he would be.

Only someone blindly following Maurice's outdated mentality believes Niku hasn't played better and earned a chance over Bitetto and Poolman. He most CERTAINLY has the merit to play above those two. Easily. Not even a question.
 

TS Quint

I can see!
Sep 8, 2012
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Added plenty tonight both on the ice and bench. Actually was one of our top d man.

And if I have to explain to you the value of high energy players that keep the bench energy going throughout a 60 minute grind, then I understand why you struggled with understanding the value in it.
Come on beer league superstar, explain. It's obvious that you are just throwing out tired cliches and have no idea what you are saying. Saying "let's go boys" on the bench doesn't put any pucks in the net or keep the young guys " grounded". Once again, whatever that means.
 
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AKAChip

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Come on beer league superstar, explain. It's obvious that you are just throwing out tired cliches and have no idea what you are saying. Saying "let's go boys" on the bench doesn't put any pucks in the net or keep the young guys " grounded". Once again, whatever that means.
Hook this post to my veins.
 

Deedog99

Registered User
Nov 22, 2016
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It’s hard for me to reconcile this situation.
Niku is a player the Jets drafted and have developed.
He’s won d-men Of the year in the AHL and already rode the line last season for the Jets.
To lose the number of players we did and then have Buff walk and Beaulieu injured and not find a way to get this guy on the ice is crazy.

This season is a chance to really test what we already have in the system. I guess one theory could be they plan to send Ville down at 9 games and then have Niku take over a role at that point. Maurice might not want two small young guys in at the same time. Poor thought process from my perspective in this situation and given competition for said spots.

Niku seems to deserve a shot here.
He will be back. People need to calm down. He doesn't need waivers. Easier to go up and down. they need to decide between dahlstrom and bitetto before niku comes back full time.
 

PhilJets

Winnipeg is Good
Jun 24, 2012
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This decision is not who over is the better dman.
Its Mo sering it
We have JMO Heinola Pionk , need a bigger body in the back.

It doesnt mean its better.
Early part of the season the game is not as heavy. Should use Niku more than either the 2 new Dman.
 
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TS Quint

I can see!
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Are some people actually using a players first 30/31 games in his life, averaging less than 14 min/game half way through the season as a sample size to say Niku doesn't deserve a chance to play? I'd rather go back to +/-.

Don't worry he will be his chance. Players like this is how Vegas built their team. Welcome to Seattle Sami! Maybe we can still have Potato on our blue line then too.
 
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ffh

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Are some people actually using a players first 30/31 games in his life, averaging less than 14 min/game half way through the season as a sample size to say Niku doesn't deserve a chance to play? I'd rather go back to +/-.

Don't worry he will be his chance. Players like this is how Vegas built their team. Welcome to Seattle Sami! Maybe we can still have Potato on our blue line then too.
Poolman pionk and Morrissey would be my guess of players protected. Good chance they get a top 4 dman in the off season and it will be the new top 4 dman Morrissey and pionk. So yeah good chance he is exposed especially since he is redundant with Morrissey and heinola
 

TS Quint

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Poolman pionk and Morrissey would be my guess of players protected. Good chance they get a top 4 dman in the off season and it will be the new top 4 dman Morrissey and pionk. So yeah good chance he is exposed especially since he is redundant with Morrissey and heinola
That's my point exactly. I don't think it's unreasonable to think with Niku's track record in the AHL that he has the potential to be better than Pionk and Poolman. He's shown that he's a top AHL defenseman. It's time for his next challenge.
 
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Jetsfan79

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Where are you getting that information from?
First he was healthy scratched. Now he has been sent down again so he can play with the Moose today. That doesn't sound like protecting his injury.

It was an inference I made based on what Maurice said when he was initially sent down for conditioning following the groin injury. I made that post in error as I thought the poster I was replying to was referencing the earlier incident when instead he was referencing the recent scratch (which I wasnt aware of when I made my post).

I took back what I said later in the thread (which you liked btw)and now I have doubts about his "injury" from the beginning. So in short - "Never mind" :oops:
 
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AKAChip

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Poolman pionk and Morrissey would be my guess of players protected. Good chance they get a top 4 dman in the off season and it will be the new top 4 dman Morrissey and pionk. So yeah good chance he is exposed especially since he is redundant with Morrissey and heinola
Good lord. Imagine thinking having three puck moving defencemen is redundant.
 
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