Report: Jets, Niku mutually agree to terminate contract

The Winnipeg Jets have placed defenseman Sami Niku on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, according to CapFriendly.

The decision was mutual between the two sides, reports the Toronto Star's Chris Johnston.

Niku was entering the final campaign of a two-year deal worth $725,000 annually.

The 24-year-old once showed great promise. He was named the AHL's defenseman of the year in 2017-18 - his first season in North America - after racking up 54 points over 76 games with the Manitoba Moose.

However, he was never able to carve out a consistent NHL role for himself while recording only two goals and eight assists in 54 contests across four seasons. He made just six appearances in 2020-21.

Niku is hoping to start fresh with a different organization and is not aiming to play in Europe right now, Johnston adds.

The Jets selected Niku in the seventh round in 2015.