Team: Sami Niku
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Fantasy Summary

High-risk, high-reward fantasy player with great vision and a great shot from the point.


Observations

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April 2020 – Niku’s season was full of surprises and littered with injuries. First, he was involved in a car-crash during training camp that left him sidelined for weeks, And, just when things started to turn a corner in the New Year, he suffered a lower-body injury during a pre-game soccer warmup in February. Needless to say, it was a step back for Niku’s development and he will work hard to regain his form ahead of next season. Jamie Zadow

March 2019 – Niku remains a steady presence in the Jets lineup — albeit on the bottom pairing with Ben Chiarot — as Dustin Byfuglien remains out. The Jets picked up Nathan Beaulieu at the NHL trade deadline for some depth, but once Byfuglien returns, it remains to be seen if Niku will return to the Moose. Jamie Zadow

January 2019 – After getting off to a decent start, 11 points in 18 games, the Finnish defender got the call to join the Jets in late November. He has has yet to find his footing in the NHL through 10 games. He recorded two assists earlier this month against the Nashville Predators for the first points of his young NHL career. Dustin Byfuglien remains out for the Jets, so it will be interesting to see if Niku sticks around with the big club upon his return to the lineup. Jamie Zadow

 

May 2018 – Niku was fantastic for the Moose in the AHL last season. In his first taste of pro hockey in North America, the Finnish defenseman didn’t disappoint, tallying 16 goals and 54 points (2nd) in 76 games. He’s a smooth skater that’s not afraid to jump in on the rush and has great vision when quarterbacking the powerplay. Selected in the 7th-round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, it looks like the Jets got themselves another steal. Jamie Zadow

 

September 2017 – Niku was assigned to the AHL and will join the Manitoba Moose for his first pro season in North America. He shares a similar game to fellow countryman, Tobias Enstrom, and could push for a Top four role on the Jets blue line one day. Of course, Niku will need some seasoning before he is comfortable with the North American style and will gain plenty of experience with the Moose this season.  Jamie Zadow

 

July 2017 – The Jets signed Niku to a three-year entry level deal this offseason. The 20-year-old appeared at Jets development camp at the end of June and is expected to join their AHL affiliate the Manitoba Moose to start the season. Niku wrapped up his third professional season in Finland with five goals and 27 points in 59 games. The defenseman also shares some chemistry with Patrik Laine, as the two were part of the 2016 Finnish team that struck gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship. Jamie Zadow

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 8.0
NHL Certainty 7.5
Country FIN
Position D
Roster Type Minors
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth October 10, 1996
Height 6‘0”
Weight 176 lbs
Drafted 2015 Round 7; Overall: 198

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2010-2011 JYP U16U16 SM-sarja Q9 1 23 4|        
  JYP U16U16 SM-sarja25 1 56 10|Playoffs3 0 00
 2011-2012 JYP U16U16 SM-sarja Q7 0 44 2|        
  JYP U16U16 SM-sarja14 1 89 4|Playoffs3 0 33
  JYP U18U18 SM-sarja17 1 12 0|        
  Finland U16 (all)International-Jr1 0 00 0|        
 2012-2013 JYP U17U17 SM-sarja0 0 00 0|Playoffs7 1 45
  Finland U17EYOF3 0 11 2|        
  JYP U18U18 SM-sarja3 2 13 0|        
  JYP U20U20 SM-sarja30 0 88 22|Playoffs6 0 00
  Finland U17WHC-175 1 12 4|        
  Finland U17 (all)International-Jr6 1 12 2|        
 2013-2014 JYP U18U18 SM-sarja1 0 33 0|        
  JYP U20U20 SM-sarja20 4 1014 20|        
  JYP-AkatemiaMestis30 0 33 16|        
  Finland U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup4 1 12 4|        
  Finland U18WJC-185 1 01 0|        
  Finland U18 (all)International-Jr20 3 58 6|        
 2014-2015 JYPChampions HL1 0 00 0|        
  JYP-AkatemiaMestis39 3 2225 24|Playoffs6 0 55
  JYPLiiga12 0 11 6|        
  Finland U20WJC-205 0 00 0|        
  Finland U20 (all)International-Jr24 3 58 6|        
 2015-2016 JYPLiiga38 4 711 2|        
  JYPChampions HL6 0 11 2|        
  JYP-AkatemiaMestis7 0 22 4|        
  Finland U20WJC-207 1 12 2|        
  Finland U20 (all)International-Jr17 2 35 8|        
 2016-2017 JYPLiiga59 5 2227 26|Playoffs15 1 56
  JYPChampions HL8 1 23 4|        
 2017-2018 Winnipeg JetsNHL1 1 01 0|        
  Manitoba MooseAHL76 16 3854 30|Playoffs9 1 23
 2018-2019 Winnipeg JetsNHL30 1 34 2|        
  Manitoba MooseAHL20 3 912 14|        
 2019-2020 Winnipeg JetsNHL17 0 55 12|        
  Manitoba MooseAHL18 3 1114 12|        
 2020-2021 Winnipeg JetsNHL6 0 00 8|        
 2021-2022 Montréal CanadiensNHL13 0 66 2|        
  Laval RocketAHL36 2 1113 14|Playoffs15 0 1111 10 
 2022-2023 JYPLiiga54 9 3342 26|        
  Finland EHT4 0 11 2|        
  Finland (all)International4 0 11 2|        
 2023-2024 JYPLiiga37 11 2637 24|        
  Finland EHT3 0 00 0|        
  IlvesLiiga16 1 1112 4|Playoffs5 0 11
  Finland (all)International3 0 00 0|        
 2024-2025 EHC KlotenNL10 2 79 4|        

Highlights