Quoting: tsyls
I’m not sure about Heinolas contract sliding, I think it does but I’m not 100% sure. I think they need to stop caring about that anyways, he’s good enough to play.
Quoting: MisstheWhalers
If Heinola goes to the Moose(and stays there) does his ELC slide or no?
Honestly I think Niku would have to have an absolute fantastic breakout season to stay in the lineup on a daily basis. I know what Maurice said but he talks a good game more then anything, his history says one fu*k up from Niku will have him in the press box.
Heinola’s contract will slide a year if he stays in the ahl. Either way, I think he’s going to be a regular when he comes back.
As for niku, Maurice seems to like his game right now. We will have to see what he does when poolman is healthy though. That will give us the real idea.
Niku does do everything Maurice likes in his d-men though. He’s on the bigger side and he plays nasty. He the best puck mover they have and he’s good along the boards and in front of the net. However, his gap control and positioning need work. I think that as long as he’s making plays, Maurice overlooks his flaws with positioning and gap control for the time being. He will get better in that sense with more games under his belt.
How I see it, heinola’s main competition is beaulieu. Maurice knows heinola is better. He got more minutes than beaulieu as an 18 year old so imo he’s a lock if he shows up to practice playing well.
Niku’s main competition is poolman. How I see it, both have the same flaws, positioning and gap control. Poolman is better in that sense but niku moves the puck so much better. If niku can keep moving the puck, he stays in the lineup imo which is better for the jets long term tbh