Sami Niku-What to make of him

[Millhouse]

What do people think of this guy? Second in scoring for defence men in the A as a rookie to boot. I saw somewhere comparing him to a young Enstrom. Regardless you have to be impressed with his numbers as a D-man in his first season

[Jouko-Pouko]

He came through the same system as Sami Vatanen, and there are a lot of similarities between the two. I haven't seen him in the AHL but in Finland he was a good puck-moving defenseman who had some difficulties in his own end. Hopefully he's been able to improve his defensive game in the AHL.

[Jouko-Pouko]

This is pretty impressive >> https://theahl.com/niku-defenseman-a...ie-shore-award

The American Hockey League announced today that Sami Niku of the Manitoba Moose is the winner of the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL?s outstanding defenseman for the 2017-18 season. The award is voted on by coaches, players and members of the media in each of the league?s 30 cities.

Niku joins Justin Schultz (2013) as the only rookies in the 60-year history of the Eddie Shore Award to win the honor.

Entering the final week of the regular season, Niku ranks second among AHL defensemen and tied for third among all rookies in scoring with 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists) while posting a plus-19 rating in 73 games for Manitoba. His 10 power-play goals are one off the league lead for both rookies and defensemen, and his two-way play has helped the Moose to a top-five ranking in both goals for and goals against per game this season. Niku was named a 2017-18 First Team AHL All-Star last week and also earned a spot on the AHL All-Rookie Team.

[fungchen3]

I'll say this: Trouba has talent in spades and has been fairly neutered in Winnipeg. It's taken Morrissey a few years to earn his stripes in the Peg. I'm not saying Niku doesn't have talent - because he is very talented - but the Jets marinate their young D. If Niku is relevant within the next 2 years I'd be shocked. If you can mummify him and dust him off in 3-4 years, I'm in.

[Jouko-Pouko]

I'll say this: Trouba has talent in spades and has been fairly neutered in Winnipeg. It's taken Morrissey a few years to earn his stripes in the Peg. I'm not saying Niku doesn't have talent - because he is very talented - but the Jets marinate their young D. If Niku is relevant within the next 2 years I'd be shocked. If you can mummify him and dust him off in 3-4 years, I'm in.

The difference is that both Trouba and Morrissey are excellent defensive players while Niku is pure offense. If he's not put in a situation to produce offensively, they have no use for him. I don't know if it will happen or not but I don't see him being stuck in a role where he isn't producing offensively.

[agentzero]

The difference is that both Trouba and Morrissey are excellent defensive players while Niku is pure offense. If he's not put in a situation to produce offensively, they have no use for him. I don't know if it will happen or not but I don't see him being stuck in a role where he isn't producing offensively.

While I agree with you about Niku's game, JP, I agree with fungchen about how things might go for Niku. If he does carve a regular role out, it could be as a 3rd pairing, 2nd pp specialist and for a while. That means limited minutes and limited opportunities to produce. This is a big summer for the contracts on the back end in the Peg. A lot will play out that way.

Morrissey was an offensive star in Junior and his game is starting to translate slowly. He is less of a risk-taker than Buff and eventually the PP will be his, over Trouba, who while fantastic, doesn't have Morrissey's instincts with the puck. His success has more to do with physical tools IMO. I wouldn't hope for NHL regular duty for Niku until after next season. He will platoon next year and if he takes off, carve out a role as PP2, 3rd pairing IMO. If not, he carves that role out the season after that.

That is, unless, the contracts force him into regular duty sooner rather than later, but the Jets approach hasn't been to force anything. You could argue they forced Hellboy last year, but really it was him (and the poor play of the others) who forced their hand.

[lucafen4]

I think a lot of the same things were said about Ghost three years ago... all Niku needs now is injuries to the entire top 4 in in Wpg to get the same opportunity (not talent comparison, a situational comparison)

[Jouko-Pouko]

While I agree with you about Niku's game, JP, I agree with fungchen about how things might go for Niku. If he does carve a regular role out, it could be as a 3rd pairing, 2nd pp specialist and for a while. That means limited minutes and limited opportunities to produce. This is a big summer for the contracts on the back end in the Peg. A lot will play out that way.

Morrissey was an offensive star in Junior and his game is starting to translate slowly. He is less of a risk-taker than Buff and eventually the PP will be his, over Trouba, who while fantastic, doesn't have Morrissey's instincts with the puck. His success has more to do with physical tools IMO. I wouldn't hope for NHL regular duty for Niku until after next season. He will platoon next year and if he takes off, carve out a role as PP2, 3rd pairing IMO. If not, he carves that role out the season after that.

That is, unless, the contracts force him into regular duty sooner rather than later, but the Jets approach hasn't been to force anything. You could argue they forced Hellboy last year, but really it was him (and the poor play of the others) who forced their hand.

I just think they'd rather use someone else if that's the only role available. They can have a much better defensive player on the 3rd pair, and they already have plenty of guys capable of playing on the 2nd PP unit. I just don't see them using him that way - I think it's the AHL until there's a real opportunity where he can use his strengths - but who knows.

[rangerdanger]

So am I to infer that even though Niku has been great offensively and has a high offensive upside, he doesn't really compare to other top young D prospects and rookies like Sergachev, Theodore, Jokiharju etc..? I do think pure offensive D men are often limited in to how far they can actually grow towards their potential. Guessing he doesn't even come close to guys like Heikanen, Bouchard or Dahlen.

[lucafen4]

So am I to infer that even though Niku has been great offensively and has a high offensive upside, he doesn't really compare to other top young D prospects and rookies like Sergachev, Theodore, Jokiharju etc..? I do think pure offensive D men are often limited in to how far they can actually grow towards their potential. Guessing he doesn't even come close to guys like Heikanen, Bouchard or Dahlen.

I think Montour would be a good comparison in terms of path. So many D in front of him... same with Theodore (who was in front of Montour on the depth charts until Montour forced Anh hand) . Niku doesn't come with the same 'blue-chip' prospect label as the other D you mentioned -- which makes others hesitate to go out on a limb and proclaim him the next 50+pt Dman.

Which means - he has to go steal jobs. He's the type of prospect I like to target. Doesn't have the immediate name value, but has the high end upside. If you can hold for two years - you should get rewarded (again, see Montour), if not, it's a free add.

[Jouko-Pouko]

So am I to infer that even though Niku has been great offensively and has a high offensive upside, he doesn't really compare to other top young D prospects and rookies like Sergachev, Theodore, Jokiharju etc..? I do think pure offensive D men are often limited in to how far they can actually grow towards their potential. Guessing he doesn't even come close to guys like Heikanen, Bouchard or Dahlen.

Sorry but Bouchard doesn't belong in the same group with Dahlin and Heiskanen. Replace him with Sergachev from your other group.

And no, Niku doesn't belong in either of those groups.