Markus Nutivaara

Markus Nutivaara

30-Year-Old DefensemanD
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Markus Nutivaara in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Sharks in July of 2022.
Announces retirement
DFree Agent
June 30, 2023
Nutivaara (hip) announced his retirement Friday, according to NHL reporter Tommi Seppala.
ANALYSIS
Nutivaara inked a one-year contract last offseason, but he only managed to play in one preseason game before he was sidelined for the entire 2022-23 regular season. The 29-year-old played in 275 NHL games in his career, tallying 17 goals and chipping in 54 assists over that span.
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2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
 
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Power Play
Short-Handed
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Markus Nutivaara See More
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June 8, 2020
AJ Scholz and Kyle Riley weigh in on how they believe the Blue Jackets should approach free agency this offseason.
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May 27, 2020
Jon Litterine details how he believes the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft would unfold now with the benefit of hindsight.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
Nutivaara is a no-nonsense, low-maintenance defender that every team would want on its bottom pairing. He's at least neutral in possession, so he won't cost you when he's on the ice. And he'll chip in about 20 points, mostly on secondary assists at five-on-five. Nutivaara won't be a fantasy factor, but his stable game could help the kitties make a Cup run.
Nutivaara fell out of favor with the Blue Jackets last year, posting nine points, 35 hits and 33 blocked shots in 37 games. Luckily for him, he was traded to the Panthers in the offseason and should step into a consistent role in 2020-21. The Finnish blueliner has topped the 20-point mark twice in his four-year career, but he'll likely struggle to do so this year. A reasonable projection would be 12 to 15 points, but injuries are always a concern with the defensively-minded 26-year-old. He'll also have a low ceiling, as he's not expected to see any power-play time with Florida.
Nutivaara solidified his spot on the Columbus blue line last season, playing in a career-high 80 games and proving to be more than just a smooth skater and slick passer. The 25-year-old's offensive potential remains a little unclear, as there aren't many opportunities working behind Zach Werenski and Seth Jones, but Nutivaara has flashed good instincts when it comes to knowing when to join the rush, and when to hang back. A rib injury cost him most of the club's postseason run, but he's expected to be 100 percent by training camp.
Nutivaara had a solid second NHL campaign last year despite a February upper-body injury that cost him 11 games, providing some effective secondary scoring behind the dynamic duo of Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. The 24-year-old doesn't have the upside of either of those two young studs, but he's a smooth skater and passer who plays a heady two-way game, making him a comfortable fit on a second or third pairing. Jack Johnson's exit could push Nutivaara into more ice time and a spot on the second power-play unit, but last season's production likely isn't too far from his fantasy ceiling.
A surprise addition to the roster out of training camp, Nutivaara didn't make any waves as an offensive threat but helped stabilize the Blue Jackets’ bottom defensive pairing, showing good mobility and passing skills as well as a calm demeanor on the puck. A seventh round pick in 2015, the 23-year-old is an inspiring story, but he lacks upside or an edge to his game, and as more physical young defensemen in the system begin to push for spots, Nutivaara may find himself in the press box more often.
More Fantasy News
Misses season with hip injury
DSan Jose Sharks  Free Agent
Hip
April 16, 2023
Nutivaara didn't play at all in 2022-23 because of a hip injury, Corey Masisak of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Moved to LTIR
DSan Jose Sharks  Free Agent
Lower Body
November 27, 2022
Nutivaara (lower body) was shifted to long-term injured reserve Sunday, CapFriendly reports.
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Not close to return
DSan Jose Sharks  Free Agent
Lower Body
October 25, 2022
Nutivaara (lower body) is not close to a return, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
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Surfaces on IR
DSan Jose Sharks  Free Agent
Lower Body
October 10, 2022
Nutivaara (lower body) was placed on injured reserve Monday.
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Not on trip
DSan Jose Sharks  Free Agent
Lower Body
October 1, 2022
Nutivaara (lower body) is not with the Sharks on the team's European trip, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Future uncertain
DSan Jose Sharks  Free Agent
April 18, 2023
Nutivaara, who missed the entirety of the 2022-23 season due to a hip injury, has yet to make a final decision on whether he'll retire this summer, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
ANALYSIS
Nutivaara has been limited to just one game over the past two campaigns due to injury, and it remains to be seen if he'll ever be healthy enough to play in the NHL again. If he ends up retiring, Nutivaara will finish his NHL career having picked up 71 points through 275 games split between the Blue Jackets and the Panthers.
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