MARKUS NUTIVAARA - Defenseman - 24 - $2.7MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2022-2023
LAST UPDATED 8/2/19
Since breaking into the NHL in 2016-17, Markus Nutivaara has shown the value in taking overage European players late in the draft. For two drafts, Markus Nutivaara had gone undrafted, despite decent seasons in the lower levels of Finnish hockey. Finally, Nutivaara was selected as a late round flier by the Blue Jackets, as he had spent the year playing 35 games for Karpat's men's team in SM-Liiga, and promptly followed that cup of tea with a strong sophomore campaign in Finland's top league. He then crossed the pond and made an immediate NHL impact the following year. While Nutivaara isn't a dominating defenseman, Columbus' small investment in him has proven to be very valuable. Nutivaara is a good puck mover with natural skating abilities. He's a decently smart player who can manage bottom pairing minutes very well. He's got a good defensive stick and can help kill defensive chances, despite not being enough of a shutdown force to kill penalties. Offensively Nutivaara doesn't drive play but he can help with zone exits and stretch passes, even with below-average puck skills. Overall, he's a capable bottom-pairing defenseman with a wealth of pro experience despite his relatively young age.
Since breaking into the NHL in 2016-17, Markus Nutivaara has shown the value in taking overage European players late in the draft. For two drafts, Markus Nutivaara had gone undrafted, despite decent seasons in the lower levels of Finnish hockey. Finally, Nutivaara was selected as a late round flier by the Blue Jackets, as he had spent the year playing 35 games for Karpat's men's team in SM-Liiga, and promptly followed that cup of tea with a strong sophomore campaign in Finland's top league. He then crossed the pond and made an immediate NHL impact the following year. While Nutivaara isn't a dominating defenseman, Columbus' small investment in him has proven to be very valuable. Nutivaara is a good puck mover with natural skating abilities. He's a decently smart player who can manage bottom pairing minutes very well. He's got a good defensive stick and can help kill defensive chances, despite not being enough of a shutdown force to kill penalties. Offensively Nutivaara doesn't drive play but he can help with zone exits and stretch passes, even with below-average puck skills. Overall, he's a capable bottom-pairing defenseman with a wealth of pro experience despite his relatively young age.
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