Contract Termination: [WPG] Sami Niku (cleared; signs with MTL)

[Booba]

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[Vitto79]

So he’s going overseas ?

 

[jonlin]

Pretty good puckmoving D. Not very reliable in his own zone though. Could still have some upside. I doubt he goes unclaimed.

 

[Johno]

He seemed to do well in the AHL. Wouldn't be surprised to see a team give him a chance with a change of scenery.

 

[jonlin]

So he’s going overseas ?

A defender with 80p in 114gp in AHL. I doubt he goes overseas. Someone will take him as a reclamation project.

 

[LTIR]

A defender with 80p in 114gp in AHL. I doubt he goes overseas. Someone will take him as a reclamation project.

The team would have to keep him on their NHL roster or waive him again. Most teams have their own prospects knocking on the door.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

from untouchable to waived so soon... damn

 

[SomeDude]

A defender with 80p in 114gp in AHL. I doubt he goes overseas. Someone will take him as a reclamation project.

I doubt the Jets would be willing to terminate his deal unless he is going to Europe. I would think they'd rather take the chance he clears waivers then let him be free to sign with another NHL team. Unless they truly believe he sucks.

 

[TT1]

wow this guy had so much HF value 3 years ago, how times change huh

 

[kthx]

Young Finnish player looking for a new home. Will it be Carolina or the other 31 teams?

 

[GermanSpitfire]

 

[jonlin]

I doubt the Jets would be willing to terminate his deal unless he is going to Europe. I would think they'd rather take the chance he clears waivers then let him be free to sign with another NHL team. Unless they truly believe he sucks.

He is not physical at all and below average in his own zone. He is decent on the rush and his passing and PP is very good. Playing say 3rd pairing with a defensive minded D, 10-12min/g and 2nd PP could do wonders. At 0.8M any team with cap should try him out.

 

[GKJ]

This strange, you would think if any team saw him as an NHL guy, they would just trade for him. They would definitely just take him off waivers if not.

 

[Zippy316]

Seems like this has Carolina written all over it with the Finnish connections & Gardiners injury.

 

[IranCondraAffair]

wow this guy had so much HF value 3 years ago, how times change huh

I can see why, 54 points in 76 games is pretty good for a defenseman in the AHL in your draft+3.

Seems like he's stagnated though.

 

[YP44]

odd move. why not regular waivers and have him play in the AHL (if not claimed). Cap friendly has the jets using 41 of 50 contracts currently so not like they are going to sign 10 guys.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

His hair is NHL quality that’s for sure

 

[BonMorrison]

Come to Nashville.

 

[Gurglesons]

Honka 2.0?

 

[Groo]

Sounds like a Doug Wilson kind of defender

 

[Svedu]

Please go to Flyers Niku. We need more finns. That's why we've sucked these last years. You are for sure better than Hägg.
Now we have Ristolainen (not a fan), Tuomaala drafted. Now we want you, Kemell, perhaps Laine after this season and why not plenty more just like the Canes.

 

[SomeDude]

He is not physical at all and below average in his own zone. He is decent on the rush and his passing and PP is very good. Playing say 3rd pairing with a defensive minded D, 10-12min/g and 2nd PP could do wonders. At 0.8M any team with cap should try him out.

I'm a fan of Niku, it's just very unusual for a mutual contract termination unless a player is going to a different league. Especially a younger guy who has thrived at every other level and not given much of a chance in the NHL. Hopefully he can go somewhere to get some minutes and put it together, but I wonder what playing like 30 games in the last 3 years does to a younger player's development.

 

[LastWordArmy]

He's really struggled in the NHL but he also hasn't played many games. He also looked good when he was with the Jets' AHL team. It might be worth a low-risk, one-year, two-way contract for a team that has room at LHD (he's played on both sides too), and if it doesn't work, you waive him again.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

A defender with 80p in 114gp in AHL. I doubt he goes overseas. Someone will take him as a reclamation project.

I guess you've never heard of T.J. Brennan?

 

[Boxertim]

too bad. good guy