Sami Niku

[Jimmy Splitz]

Does he have the goods to become fantasy relevant this season?

[bbfl1987]

Depends what relevant means to you. I don’t ever see him becoming keeper worthy.

[senryu]

He has the offensive ability to help Montreal's PP. The question is whether he can play enough defense to not disgust the coaching staff. If he plays, he'll be useful.

[bbfl1987]

He has the offensive ability to help Montreal's PP. The question is whether he can play enough defense to not disgust the coaching staff. If he plays, he'll be useful.

I should have clarified. His offence is why he’s still a professional hockey player. As a Habs fan living in Manitoba, I’ve seen enough bad D from him in Winnipeg to know it’s likely not going to be anything more than a Gustafsson situation where he’s in the lineup to provide some help to a PP unit. I just see Romanov being the better option long term.

[senryu]

I should have clarified. His offence is why he’s still a professional hockey player. As a Habs fan living in Manitoba, I’ve seen enough bad D from him in Winnipeg to know it’s likely not going to be anything more than a Gustafsson situation where he’s in the lineup to provide some help to a PP unit. I just see Romanov being the better option long term.

The Erik Gustaffson comparison is apt. He's a one-trick pony until he shows otherwise, which he's never done.

[Bubba55]

The Erik Gustaffson comparison is apt. He's a one-trick pony until he shows otherwise, which he's never done.

Well I think you have your answer. Sami is very minimally fantasy relevant right now, but the Habs are a mess right now and he has flashed some relevance but that is not going to last to long IMO. Does he have the goods ... I don't think so.