Mikkola agreed to terms on an eight-year, $40 million contract extension with Florida on Thursday.
Mikkola's new deal will keep him with the Cats through the 2033-34 campaign at a $5 million AAV, a number that should age very well over the next several years as the cap is expected to rise significantly. In 76 regular-season games last year, the 29-year-old blueliner dished out 137 hits and made 88 blocks while recording his first 20-plus point season. His offensive numbers may not be that impressive, but he offers enough category coverage to provide some value in deeper formats.
Mikkola (upper body) is expected to be available for Game 5 against the Hurricanes on Wednesday, per Eric Engels of Sportsnet.
Mikkola missed Monday's 3-0 loss to Carolina due to the injury. He has three goals, five points, 33 PIM and 40 hits in 15 playoff outings this year. Mikkola's return might result in Uvis Balinskis being a healthy scratch.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Unavailable for Game 4
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Mikkola (upper body) will not be an option against Carolina in Game 4 on Monday, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.
Mikkola was originally expected to be ready for Game 4 after getting injured in Game 3 on Saturday, but he will be sidelined for a potential series-clinching contest. After being blanked in his first nine postseason contests, the 29-year-old defenseman has found his offensive game, recording four points in the first three games of this series. With Mikkola out, Uvis Balinskis will step into the lineup.
Mikkola (upper body) is expected to be in the lineup for Game 4 against Carolina on Monday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Mikkola had two goals, three shots on net and five hits before leaving Saturday's 6-2 win over the Hurricanes in Game 3 at the 8:02 mark of the third period. He has accounted for five points and 40 hits through 15 appearances this postseason.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Expected to be fine
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Mikkola sustained an apparent upper-body injury in Saturday's Game 3 versus the Hurricanes, but the defenseman is expected to be okay for Game 4 on Monday, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports.
Mikkola was having arguably one of the best games of his career, scoring two goals while adding five hits in 15:09 of ice time before he went awkwardly into the boards in the third period. Given the update from head coach Paul Maurice, Mikkola should be probable to play in Game 4, which could see the Panthers book their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third straight year. His status should be confirmed in the coming days.
Mikkola (rest) will play against the Lightning on Tuesday, Rob Darragh of the Panthers' official site reports.
Mikkola will return to action after sitting out Monday's 5-3 loss to the Rangers for rest. He has accumulated six goals, 22 points, 113 shots on net, 88 blocked shots and 132 hits across 75 appearances this season. Mikkola will skate on the top pairing alongside Seth Jones versus Tampa Bay.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Sitting out Monday
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Mikkola (rest) won't be in the lineup for Monday's matchup against the Rangers, per George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.
Mikkola will get the game off to rest but could return to action in Florida's regular-season finale versus Tampa Bay on Tuesday. He has generated six goals, 22 points, 113 shots on net, 88 blocked shots and 132 hits across 75 appearances this season. Dmitry Kulikov (upper body) will replace Mikkola in Monday's lineup.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Buries goal Tuesday
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Mikkola scored a goal on two shots in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Canadiens.
Mikkola ended a seven-game point drought with the tally. The 28-year-old defenseman continues to see top-four minutes, though his scoring upside is relatively limited. He's at six goals, 22 points, 104 shots on net, 119 hits, 83 blocked shots, 62 PIM and a plus-14 rating through 69 appearances. If he can be steady on offense for the last couple of weeks of the regular season, he provides all-around upside in deeper fantasy formats.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Career season continues
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Mikkola scored a goal in a 3-2 win over Toronto on Thursday.
Mikkola's second-period goal put the Panthers up 2-1. He skated down from the blue line and into the slot, where he received a pass and shot over Anthony Stolarz's blocker. Mikkola has never been known as a scorer, but he continues to build on a career season. He has five goals, 16 assists and 92 shots in 61 games. All are career marks or soon to be ones. Mikkola's previous high came last season with three goals, 14 assists and 93 shots.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Helpers in back-to-back games
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Mikkola logged an assist and went plus-2 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Predators.
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.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Supplies assist Saturday
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Mikkola logged an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Kraken.
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.
Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Two helpers in last three games
Rotowire
Mikkola notched an assist and two PIM in Saturday's 7-2 win over the Sharks.
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.
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