Sami Niku has progressed nicely. He already had 27 points in regular season which was 7th most from the defenders of the league. Because of the high numbers, it is no wonder that the offensive aspect of the game is what makes him interesting. He is already offensively the best defender of his team.

Niku likes to carry the puck often and it has been extremely tough to get the puck away from him thanks to his good wheels and excellent stickhandling skills. However he occasionally could try to pass the puck earlier and play the simpler game even though his decision making has improved. He is also a good passer.

While he isn’t the biggest defenceman on ice, he isn’t the smallest either. He has become stronger so he could use his body more often while defending. Anyway his physical game as well as gap control and positioning and at the own end has improved over the past year.