Former Blues defender of St. Louis, Niko Mikkola Florida panthers.
Mikkola was a key cog in the Blueline of Panthers in their consecutive triumphs of the Stanley Cup and was rewarded with a massive extension. The 2024-25 season saw the 29-year-old set careers in goals and points with six goals and 22 points in 76 games.
“Niko turned out to be a reliable defender who uses his speed and physique to have an impact on both ends of ice,” said Panthers Director Bill Zito. “It was an essential element of our last two championship campaigns, and we are delighted that Niko continues her career with the Florida Panthers.”
The 6 -foot defender 6 inch was a choice of fifth round (127th in total) in the NHL 2015 NHL by the Blues. His team with St. Louis was not great, recording four goals and 20 points in 139 games. Mikkola tended to have defensive misadventures and took too many badly wise penalties.
With the Panthers, everything has changed. It is defensively reliable, a more than capable washer engine and has reduced unnecessary penalties while maintaining physical nature.
Mikkola and Seth Jones built solid chemistry in a short time together, and they will be a key twinning for the Panthers for the coming years.
