Jani Nyman

October 2024- After tearing up the Liiga in 2023-2024 for 26 goals and 17 assists in 48 games (second most goals overall and most goals, points, and points per game by a U20 player), Nyman made the trek to North America. He potted two goals in five regular season games and added one more goal in nine playoff contests. Nyman will get a full year in the AHL in 2024-2025, and though he’s a long shot to make the NHL squad from camp, he is likely to get a nine-game look as a reward for a strong showing or as an injury call-up. Alex Wyatt

June 2023 – Nyman continues progressing well, posting the best point-per-game rate of any Under-19 player in the pro-Liiga. His ten goals were two behind the leader in that category, Joakim Kemell, who managed the extra two goals in 14 extra games. At only 18 years old, the Kraken will not be in any rush to hurry the Finn along to North America, but at 6-3 215 pounds, his size is NHL-ready. If you can stash him in your league, he might be worth the preemptive pluck as we watch how he develops. Alex Wyatt

November 2022 – Nyman is currently sitting third in team goal scoring with six in 17 games, not bad for the youngster’s first real season at the pro level in the Liiga. He also exploded for five goals and six points across two games with the U20 team this season. Keep an eye on Nyman, as it is a bit early to invest too heavily, but his goal-scoring has him within reach of the goal-scoring leaders in the league, including his teammate, who leads with 12. – Alex Wyatt

July 2022 – The Seattle Kraken have selected Nyman in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 49th overall. Nick Richard

May 2022 – Nyman had a successful draft-year campaign in Finland, spending most of his time on loan with Koovee in the Finnish second division. He scored 18 goals and added 17 assists for 35 points in 34 games with the Mestis club, and earned an assist in 10 games of Liiga competition with Ilves.

A massive and strong winger, Nyman loves to shoot the puck — to a fault. He regularly takes six or more shots a game, and usually shoots it on net whenever he has a look. He protects the puck very well, works the boards decently using his 6-foot-3 frame and massive reach to keep opponents to the outside as he shimmies the puck to his teammates. He has a heavy shot due to a strong upper body, but his release is readable. His hands for a big man are impressive, and he can navigate tight spaces very well. He’ll need to work on his first two steps and his top speed to make sure he reaches his middle-six ceiling, but the prospect could end up scoring 20 or more goals at the NHL level. Hadi Kalakeche