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The Next Michael Bunting: Group 6 UFA’s for the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Mike Jack

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Penguins 4-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens, Sami Niku
Dec 28, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Sami Niku (15) passes the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Sami Niku – Defenseman –

NHL Totals
67 Games
2 Goals
16 Points

Sami Niku is a very versatile defenseman with both offensive and defensive upside.  He shoots left but has experience playing on both the left and right side.

He’s known to have a high hockey IQ and makes smart moves with the puck while being defensively responsible.

He’s an average sized defenseman who blocks a lot of shots and was able to record six assists in 13 NHL games last season with bottom pairing minutes on an atrocious Montreal Canadiens team.

In the AHL, he has 24 goals and 93 points in 150 games and won the Eddie Shore Award in 2018 as the AHL’s best defenseman.

He’s ready to play fulltime in the NHL, and though he’d probably start off as a seventh defenseman on the Leafs, I think he could be a surprising player who could compete for more ice-time.

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