The Kraken have recalled right-wing prospect Jani Nyman from his loan to Ilves of the Liiga, per an official announcement. Nyman will finish the 2023-24 season on assignment to AHL Coachella Valley.
The 19-year-old Nyman was drafted by Seattle in the second round of the 2022 draft, 49th overall. Kraken GM Ron Francis signed Nyman to a three-year, entry-level contract last June before loaning him back to Ilves in July. As an entry-level slide candidate, his deal will now be active from 2024-25 to 2026-27 because he did not play at least 10 NHL games this season.
When Nyman debuts for Coachella Valley, it will mark his first game away from Ilves on a permanent basis. The Valkeakoski, Finland native has played his entire junior and professional career in the Ilves organization to date. His first professional experience came in his draft year, spending most of the season on loan to Koovee of the second-tier Mestis. There, he erupted for 18 goals and 35 points in 34 games, leading the league in power-play goals with six and capturing Rookie of the Year honors. He also made his Liiga debut that season, recording one assist in 10 games for Ilves.
Despite having the size for it at 6’4″ and 207 lbs, Nyman isn’t an overly physical player and is best described as a sniper rather than a power forward or grinder. That, plus some noticeable defensive deficiencies in his game, never gave him first-round billing in 2022, despite his strong production in a professional league.
The Kraken should still be extremely satisfied with how he’s developed. Thrust into a top-six role on his loan to Ilves this season, he responded in kind with 26 goals and 43 points in 48 games, leading all U-20 players in scoring. He also served as an alternate captain for Finland at the World Juniors, finishing with two goals and six points in seven games. His season ended late last month after Ilves, which finished second in the league with a 33-13-7-3 record, was upset by seventh-place KalPa in five games in the quarterfinals.
Nyman is likely a couple of years away from challenging for an NHL job. However, he’s proven enough overseas that he’ll likely spend next season with Coachella Valley and put himself in consideration for short-term recalls. He hits pause on his Liiga career for now after recording 36 goals, 58 points and a +19 rating in 87 games for Ilves since debuting at the top level in 2021-22.
Nyman fell outside the first round in 2022 because some were concerned by his skating. He is good technically but he was missing a little bit of top speed and acceleration. But know he have improved this a lot a will be a strong contender for an NHL job right next year. His package of strength, size and skill is very exciting, he’s a real power forward.