NIKO MIKKOLA NEWS

Sam Bennett scores 2 power-play goals in surging Panthers' 3-2 victory over Maple Leafs

Sam Bennett scored power-play goals late in each of the first two periods, Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves and the short-handed Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on...

MARCH 14 • Associated Press

Helpers in back-to-back games Mikkola logged an assist and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Predators.

Impact Mikkola has an assist in each of the last two games coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Finnish blueliner represented his country during the tournament and appears to have benefited from staying in a playing rhythm. He's up to 19 points, 82 shots on net, 88 hits, 74 blocked shots, 40 PIM and a plus-13 rating over 54 appearances in a top-four role this season. Mikkola is poised to reach the 20-point mark for the first time in his career.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Supplies assist Saturday Mikkola logged an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Kraken.

Impact Mikkola has four helpers over his last 11 outings. The 28-year-old defenseman has secured a career year for the second season in a row, racking up 18 points with 81 shots on net, 88 hits, 74 blocked shots, 40 PIM and a plus-12 rating over 53 appearances. That level of all-around production is enough to make Mikkola an option in deep fantasy formats, though he's unlikely to ever be a big-time scorer.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Mic'd Up: Niko Mikkola | Florida Panthers Hear Niko Mikkola mic'd up during Florida's game in St. Louis.

FEBRUARY 18 • NHL.COM

Charlie McAvoy's hit on Connor McDavid was another US message sent at the 4 Nations Face-Off

Charlie McAvoy lit up Connor McDavid with a textbook hit, and the United States scored 19 seconds later

FEBRUARY 16 • Associated Press

Tkachuk brothers each score twice as the US beats Finland 6-1 in the 4 Nations Face-Off

Brady and Matthew Tkachuk each scored twice, and the brothers had a handful of big hits to help the United States beat Finland 6-1 to open the 4 Nations Face-Off, a physical showdo...

FEBRUARY 14 • Associated Press

Panthers will soon have another champion. They have a player on every 4 Nations roster

The Florida Panthers are about to have another champion

FEBRUARY 9 • Associated Press

Alex Ovechkin has been role model his whole career. That goes beyond Washington and Russia

With the yellow skate laces and tinted visor, the goal celebrations and gap-toothed smile, Alex Ovechkin became a role model to a lot of kids who grew up to play alongside him in t...

FEBRUARY 5 • Associated Press

BMW Teammate: Niko Mikkola | Florida Panthers Niko Mikkola talks about his NHL journey, the Stanley Cup Final game 7 celebration and more!

FEBRUARY 1 • NHL.COM

Two helpers in last three games Mikkola notched an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Sharks.

Impact Mikkola also managed to go minus-1 in a game where the Panthers had six even-strength tallies. The helper was his second over the last three games, but that follows a stretch of nine contests off the scoresheet sandwiched around a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury. The Finnish blueliner remains in a top-four role and is one point shy of matching his career-best total of 17 from 2023-24. He has four goals, 12 assists, 70 shots on net, 73 hits, 62 blocked shots, 30 PIM and a plus-7 rating through 45 appearances in 2024-25.

JANUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Looks good to go Wednesday Mikkola (upper body) is expected to be in the lineup versus Utah on Wednesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Mikkola missed five games with the injury, but it looks like he's ready to resume a top-four role. He skating on the second pairing in warmups. Mikkola had gone without a point in three games prior to his absence, so he'll be looking to get his offense back on track.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call Wednesday Mikkola (upper body) is set to be a game-time decision Wednesday versus Utah, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact Mikkola is expected to take part in warmups before a determination on his status is made. He has four goals, 14 points, 53 hits and 47 blocks in 36 outings in 2024-25. Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) is also a game-time call, so Florida has a lot of unknowns when it comes to its defense Wednesday.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Not ready to return Mikkola (upper body) won't play Monday in Colorado, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact Mikkola was a game-time decision heading into Monday's game, but he'll miss a fifth consecutive contest after not taking the ice in warmups. The 6-foot-4 blueliner was able to practice Sunday, so he seems to be nearing a return. Florida's next game will be against Utah on Wednesday.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Deemed game-time decision Mikkola (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's road game against Colorado, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Mikkola has missed the last four games due to his upper-body injury, but he participated in Sunday's practice session. The Panthers want to monitor how he feels in the hours leading up to Monday's puck drop before determining his status, but even if he's unable to suit up against the Avalanche, he'll likely be able to return to game action soon.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Friday either Mikkola (upper body) has already been ruled out versus Carolina on Thursday and is also expected to be sidelined for Friday's clash with Pittsburgh, Alex Baumgartner of Five Reason...

Impact Mikkola reportedly could play if needed but instead will sit out both ends of the Panthers' back-to-back. Through 36 appearances this year, the 28-year-old defender has notched four goals and 10 helpers, setting himself up to reach the 20-point threshold for the first time in his six-year NHL career.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Not available for Thursday Mikkola (upper body) is making progress, but he won't return for Thursday's game against Carolina, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact It will be Mikkola's third straight game on the shelf. He has four goals, 14 points, 53 hits and 47 blocks in 36 appearances in 2024-25. When healthy, Mikkola typically gets top-four minutes but doesn't have a role on the power play.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Monday Mikkola (upper body) won't play Monday against the Rangers, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Mikkola will miss a third straight game after suffering an injury last Monday against Tampa Bay. Adam Boqvist will remain in the lineup in a bottom-pairing role with Mikkola unavailable.

DECEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable for Saturday Mikkola (upper body) will miss Saturday's game against Montreal, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact Mikkola has four goals and 14 points in 36 appearances in 2024-25. Adam Boqvist is expected to draw into the lineup due to Mikkola's injury.

DECEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Injured Monday Mikkola suffered an upper-body injury in Monday's 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay and is considered day-to-day, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.

Impact Mikkola went to the locker room late in the second period and ultimately did not return. Head coach Paul Maurice said that Mikkola attempted to return but was not able to. An update on Mikkola's status should surface before Saturday's home game against Montreal.

DECEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores again Wednesday Mikkola scored a goal on four shots, added three hits, blocked two shots and went plus-3 in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Wild.

Impact Mikkola has three points over his last two contests. The 28-year-old defenseman has been surprisingly active on offense this season, with four goals and 14 points through 33 appearances, putting him just three points back of matching his career-best production from 2023-24. The blueliner has added 50 shots on net, 49 hits, 40 blocked shots, 26 PIM and a plus-2 rating. Mikkola's worth a look in deeper formats and could have widespread fantasy appeal if he continues to chip in offense on a semi-regular basis.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Matthew Tkachuk's 2 goals lead Panthers past Wild 6-1

Matthew Tkachuk scored twice, Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves and the Florida Panthers beat the Minnesota Wild 6-1 on Wednesday night

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • Associated Press

Two points in Monday's win Mikkola produced a goal and an assist in Monday's 6-5 win over the Oilers.

Impact Both points came in the third period, as Mikkola tied the game at 4-4 before helping to set up Carter Verhaeghe for the game-winner. It was Mikkola's first multi-point performance since Oct. 15, snapping a slump that has seen him manage just two goals and three points over the prior 16 contests. On the season, the 28-year-old blueliner has three goals and 13 points in 32 appearances with 46 hits, 46 shots on net, 38 blocked shots, 26 PIM and a minus-1 rating.

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Verhaeghe gets tiebreaking goal in 3rd period as Panthers beat Oilers 6-5

Carter Verhaeghe scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period and the defending champion Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in the rematch of the Stanley Cup Final

DECEMBER 17, 2024 • Associated Press

Tallies in high-scoring win Mikkola scored a goal on three shots and blocked two shots in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Flyers.

Impact Mikkola snapped a four-game slump with his second tally of the campaign. The defenseman continues to put up decent offense while seeing top-four minutes, though he is still primarily a defensive figure in the lineup. He has 11 points, 37 shots on net, 35 hits, 36 blocked shots, 22 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 27 appearances. That's a pace that would earn him not just his first 20-point campaign, but would also lead to him exceeding the 30-point mark if he can sustain it.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE