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Winnipeg Jets: Can Sami Niku replace Toby Enstrom?

By Dave Stevenson

MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 03: Sami Niku #83 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 3, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - APRIL 03: Sami Niku #83 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 3, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets are hoping 2015 seventh-round pick Sami Niku can replace Toby Enstrom in their top four.

It will be weird watching the Winnipeg Jets play without Toby Enstrom patrolling the blueline. He has spent his entire NHL career with the franchise. Enstrom was even a member of the Atlanta Thrashers. However, it has been announced he’ll be playing for his hometown team (MODO) in Sweden next season.

Enstrom is on the decline, but he was still quite solid for the Jets last season. Strictly looking at five-on-five, he was their fifth-most used defenseman, just behind Tyler Myers. In 43 games, Enstrom put up just six points. However, he was also impressive defensively, as his CorsiAgainst per hour rate was the lowest among all Jets defensemen (minimum 500 five-on-five minutes).

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Replacing him will be a daunting task for the Jets, who haven’t done much this summer to improve from outside the organization. Ergo, the Jets likely have an in-house replacement in mind for him.

Winnipeg hasn’t signed restricted free agent defenseman Josh Morrissey yet, but he should definitely help, assuming something gets done. The Jets could have right-handed defenseman Jacob Trouba play on his off-side, but that doesn’t make too much sense.

Ultimately, Winnipeg will likely turn to 2015 seventh-round pick Sami Niku. Ironically, much like Enstrom, he’s from Europe. The Finnish defenseman has proven to be a late-round gem thus far. After an impressive career in Finland, Niku came over to North America. He impressed in the AHL, picking up 54 points in 76 games with the Manitoba Moose.

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Niku made his NHL debut last season and scored his first goal. Head coach Paul Maurice and center Bryan Little both had a lot of good things to say about him. Niku’s an impressive skater who can move the puck and isn’t afraid to pinch in the offensive zone.

He’s not the defensive stalwart that Enstrom was, but he’s got every skill you look for in a modern defenseman. Niku can move the puck and was able to make a seamless transition to North America.

Enstrom was a key part of the Jets’ blueline during the past decade. Replacing him will be difficult. However, the Jets seem to have a perfect player to replace him in Niku. He’ll likely get a lot of minutes with Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets are showing a ton of confidence in Niku by not addressing the loss of Enstrom through free agency or trade.

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Winnipeg is on the verge of greatness. Their young players have got them where they are right now. Maybe the Jets know what they’re doing with Niku.

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