Sami Niku Signs Two-Year Deal In Switzerland

An NHL comeback for free agent defenseman Sami Niku isn’t in the cards, at least for now. He’s signed a two-year deal to remain in Switzerland with National League club Lausanne HC, the club announced.

The 6’1″ lefty was a seventh-round pick of the Jets in 2015, but his hype quickly exceeded his draft pedigree. He came over to North America in 2017 following a pair of strong post-draft seasons with Liiga’s JYP in his native Finland. Niku crashed onto the scene in the minors with the Manitoba Moose, earning AHL Defenseman of the Year and First All-Star honors with a 16-goal, 54-point showing in 76 appearances. He also scored his first NHL goal in his first NHL game that year.

Niku’s development stalled out almost immediately, though. He remained on the Jets’ roster for the vast majority of the next three years as a No. 7/8 option but never secured a full-time role amid occasional AHL stints. Niku and the Jets mutually terminated his contract shortly before the 2021-22 season. He caught on with the Canadiens a few days later, but after being buried in AHL Laval for most of the year, wasn’t extended a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent.

The 28-year-old has played in Europe ever since. He first rejoined JYP and, after a strong initial showing in 2022-23, erupted to lead Liiga defensemen with 37 assists and 49 points in 53 games with JYP and Ilves in 2023-24.

Niku jumped to Switzerland last year with EHC Kloten. He had a successful run with a 5-25–30 scoring line and plus-five rating in 52 games, but his stay with the club won’t extend past this season. His offensive performance overseas may warrant another look in NHL minutes, but time is running out for him to make a meaningful return since he’ll be 30 when his deal with Lausanne expires.

Lausanne, coming off back-to-back losses in the National League final, also has former NHLers Dominik Kahun, Janne Kuokkanen, and Antti Suomela on their roster for next season.