SAMI NIKU COULD BE A TROUBLEMAKER FOR THE CH

The Montreal Canadiens could find themselves with a hot potato on their hands in Sami Niku, who signed a two-year contract with the club on September 24. The skilled 24-year-old back was seen as a top defensive prospect for the Winnipeg Jets, but he never reached the standards the club saw in him.

Everyone questioned him with the Jets, then the answers suddenly made sense, leading to the mutual agreement to cut ties. Niku has a problem with managing his emotions, his attitude, which has earned him several reprimands.

Niku himself confided about his hot temper in an interview with a Finnish media. He had a run-in with Charlie Huddy, the Jets' linebackers coach, who had just told him that he was going to be cut from the team.

Eric Dubois (Pierre-Luc Dubois' father), who is an assistant with the Manitoba Moose, the Jets' AHL affiliate, said that Niku was not able to deal with the difficulties he encountered: "He would get discouraged and frustrated quickly!"

These are the darker sides of Niku, but on the other hand, he is not a bad person. According to his compatriot Joel Armia, he is a good "kid" who certainly needs coaching to grow as a human. From a strictly "hockey" perspective, he carries a lot of baggage. He skates well and has excellent offensive skills. So, he could make a niche for himself in Montreal and finally launch his career.

*All these details about Niku were filed by Simon-Olivier Lorange, from La Presse newspaper.