Illegal Curve Hockey

Henri Nikkanen cleared unconditional waivers (his Winnipeg Jets contract is terminated); signs two-year deal with SaiPa of Liiga

We learned on Thursday that the Jets placed Henri Nikkanen on unconditional waivers for purposes of contract termination. With the 2019 4th rounder not seeing much action with the Moose having played in just 13 of their 21 games and with his path to the NHL looking unlikely it was clear he was better off seeing another opportunity.

We learned today that he had cleared which meant his contract with the Jets was effectively terminated.

We also learned today that he is returning to Finland to play in Liiga with SaiPa on a two-year contract. He last played there back in the 2021-22 season with the Pelicans.

He finishes his AHL career with the Moose having played 140 regular season games with 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points. He also played eight playoff games for Manitoba.

David Minuk

Working hard on a daily basis to provide the latest Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose news for our readers and listeners. I also appear on the Illegal Curve Hockey Show every Saturday on our YouTube channel as well as the Illegal Curve Post-Game Show after every single Jets game. And I occasionally jump in the play-by-play booth at Canada Life to provide colour analysis during Manitoba Moose games.