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Post by mikeg on Jan 26, 2022 14:54:18 GMT -5
Will miss the flow - Kent's first move, I wonder who this is making room for.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 26, 2022 23:33:20 GMT -5
After Gorton claimed Clague and with Dom loving Wideman, Niku has become rather redundant with the big club and has hardly played. I expect is better for him to at least play a ton right now in the AHL or perhaps have a shot elsewhere if someone claims him…but he is a #8 right now on likely the worst defensive club in the league, so it isn’t super likely he gets claimed.
In the longer term, the Habs need a lot more mobility on the backend. It cannot just be from waiver claims and reclamation projects a la Berg model, with the core of the D being slow Clydesdales. Given everything that Gorton and Hughes have hinted about in the style of play and players, that transformation will begin but take some time to move pieces, get suitable replacements from either within (takes time with the prospects too) or through other moves. It is weird, pretty well all of the drafted defence prospects can skate quite well, with a few even being above average (Norlinder, Harris). Total contrast with the guys Berg built on the main club.
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Post by The Habitual Fan on Jan 27, 2022 10:09:16 GMT -5
Too bad because I like Niku and what he can do in a limited role. I like Clague more and think he could be a good player, so if one has to go to make room the Niku is it. Hpoefully he passes, ends up in Laval and gets a shot in training camp next year.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jan 27, 2022 14:37:32 GMT -5
Niku cleared. Now go get lots of ice time Sami.
Finns wearing #15 in Montreal have not had much luck sticking around this season. 😉
Edit: No Laval yet. Sitting in limbo on the taxi squad.
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Post by folatre on Jan 27, 2022 19:11:08 GMT -5
Montreal built in the poison pill when they signed him. Yes, Niku is on a two-way contract but he makes $425,000 in the AHL. In these depressed revenue times, that is way too much coin for most clubs to even contemplate.
Niku can transition the puck and work the power play but he cannot defend adequately at the NHL level, which is probably a reasonable criticism of Clague and Wideman as well.
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