Sami Niku

28-Year-Old DefensemanD
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Sami Niku in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a contract with JYP Jyvaskyla in July of 2022.
Signs in Finland
DFree Agent
July 24, 2022
Niku has signed a contract with JYP Jyvaskyla of the Finnish Elite League, Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun reports.
ANALYSIS
Niku played with JYP Jyvaskyla from 2014-17 before making the jump to North American hockey. He played 67 career NHL games with Winnipeg and Montreal, scoring two goals and 16 points in the process. The 25-year-old blueliner showed flashes of potential, including his 54-point campaign with AHL Manitoba in 2017-18, but he was never able to find consistency at the top level.
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2020 NHL Game Log
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DraftKings NHL: Wednesday Breakdown
January 12, 2022
Sasha Yodashkin is back with his DraftKings recommendations, making his picks to help you build a winning lineup Wednesday.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2020
2019
2018
Niku again failed to regularly crack the lineup in 2019-20, making 17 appearances and earning five assists for the Jets. The 24-year-old blueliner is seen as NHL ready, but hasn't quite played his way into an everyday role. That won't get any easier in 2020-21, as Dylan DeMelo signed a four-year contract and figures to occupy the right side of the third pairing when healthy. Niku is probably destined for a role on the taxi squad or in the minors, where he had 14 points in 18 games for AHL Manitoba last year. He's just about at the end of his leash to be considered a prospect -- fantasy managers probably won't need to keep tabs on Niku's production.
Niku has struggled to translate his scoring touch to the NHL, as he managed just four points in 30 games with the Jets last season, compared to the 54-point campaign he put up with the Moose in 2017-18. Unless the organization beings in another blueliner, the 22-year-old Finn should have the inside track on a spot in the lineup for Opening Night against the Rangers on Oct. 3. Still, his hold on a third-pairing role should be considered tenuous at best, though a productive start to the 2019-20 season should cement his place, especially with Anthony Bitetto and Logan Stanley pushing for minutes.
Niku isn't your average blue-line prospect given his wealth of experience at junior in his native Finland. He spent 311 games in that region, not including playoff action and appearances in various international tournaments. Better yet, Niku made a seamless transition to the North American brand of hockey with the Manitoba Moose last season, claiming All-Rookie and First All-Star Team honors, as well as receiving the Eddie Shore Award for best AHL defenseman after recording 17 goals and 40 assists over 85 games between the regular season and Calder Cup playoffs. The Jets sent Niku to the ice for his NHL debut last April and he found the back of the net in that single appearance. Mobile defensemen capable of joining the rush and lighting up the scoresheet don't grow on trees, so consider nabbing Niku while he's still a relative unknown across the fantasy hockey spectrum.
More Fantasy News
Joins taxi squad
DMontreal Canadiens  Foreign
January 27, 2022
Niku cleared waivers and joined the taxi squad Thursday.
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On waivers
DMontreal Canadiens  Foreign
January 26, 2022
The Canadiens placed Niku on waivers Wednesday.
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Two helpers in Saturday's loss
DMontreal Canadiens  Foreign
January 1, 2022
Niku recorded two assists in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Panthers.
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Back in action Tuesday
DMontreal Canadiens  Foreign
December 28, 2021
Niku (not injury related) will suit up against the Lightning on Tuesday, per the NHL's media site.
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Clears COVID-19 protocols
DMontreal Canadiens  Foreign
Not Injury Related
December 15, 2021
Niku (not injury related) was removed from the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Monday but isn't expected to play before Saturday's clash with the Bruins, Arpon Basu of The Athletic reports.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Hasn't requested trade
DWinnipeg Jets  Foreign
October 25, 2020
Niku has not requested a trade from the Jets, per Jason Bell of the Winnipeg Free Press.
ANALYSIS
Niku has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate, but that isn't a product of him wanting out of Winnipeg. A right-sided defenseman, Niku would need to outplay one of Dylan DeMelo, Neal Pionk or Tucker Poolman to earn regular playing time. Niku had five assists in 17 contests at the NHL level last year, as well as 14 points in 18 games with AHL Manitoba. The Finnish blueliner will likely face a tough challenge to make the NHL roster in 2020-21.
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