When Jesse Niinimaki joined the Road Runners last November he did so at just around the 180-pound mark. Although clearly gifted with the puck during practices with the team, come game time there was just something missing and it appeared as though the 2002 first round pick was either lacking in internal drive or physical ability due to the shoulder injury the year before.
Niinimaki came back to Edmonton to workout with Oiler fitness guru Darryl Duke for the summer and now currently tips the scales at over 200 lbs, a credit to his off-ice commitment. However, when the Oilers were not willing to offer the contract he was seeking, Niinimaki looked back towards Finland and found a situation with Jokerit that should fit him well.
Edmonton’s trouble with Europeans continues into Russia where Alexei Mikhnov is again going to stay for the coming season.
“He wants to come, but we’re not prepared to give him a one-way deal at this point, it’s the same scenario as with Niinimaki,” explained Prendergast. “He’s playing on another good team this year (Yaroslavl) and we’ll be able to see him a lot easier than where he was before (Novosibirsk).”
Tuossapa syy miksi Jesse tuli takaisin SM-liigaan. Niinimäki tahtoi yhdensuunnan sopimuksen, mutta seura ei sitä halunnut antaa. Siis nytpä Jessellä viimeinen kausi todistaa olevansa pelimies ainakin Oilers johdolle.