The Winnipeg Jets have their season opener tonight and Sami Niku gets a glorious opportunity to play after Dylan DeMelo is ruled out for Winnipeg.
The Winnipeg Jets are only a few hours away before they take on the Calgary Flames in their season and home opener tonight at Bell MTS Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central Time.
You can read our preview for tonight’s matchup that includes odds, players to watch, projected lineups, and where to watch the game here.
Paul Maurice and the Jets delivered some major roster news a short while ago, saying that Dylan DeMelo will be off the roster tonight because he and his wife had a baby.
Then Maurice followed that up by saying that the twenty-four-year-old Finnish defenseman, Sami Niku will come into the lineup in DeMelo’s place.
Maurice: Niku comes in for DeMelo. If Ehlers can't go, Kristian Vesalainen will play.
— Mitchell Clinton (@MitchellClinton) January 14, 2021
First of all, this is great news for the DeMelo family and we congratulate them on the birth of their child. Second, DeMelo’s absence now gives Niku a great chance to show that he has improved from last season.
In 2019-2020, Niku appeared in 17 games for the Jets and had zero goals, five assists, 12 penalty minutes, and a -2 plus/minus. He also played 18 games in the AHL with Manitoba and faired a little better. Niku had three goals, 11 assists, and a -6 plus/minus in those 18 contests with the Moose.
Niku was ultimately listed on the Jets 2020 postseason roster but failed to appear in any of the Jets qualifying round games against the Flames.
This offseason was also interesting for Niku because there were rumors that he asked for a trade, but his agent squashed those trade rumors. Niku then signed a two-year contract with the Jets.
Fast forward to today and Niku was named to the Jets opening night roster and he will get a chance to play in their opening game of the season.
This is great news for Niku and he has a great opportunity to have an instant impact with the Jets tonight. A solid game from Niku this evening may help his case to challenge for a consistent spot on the Jets defensive-core this season.
Winnipeg Jets Fans: Which Jets player are you most excited to watch in tonight’s game? Leave your comments below!
*All Stats Provided by the Elite Prospects*