Florida Panthers defenseman Markus Nutivaara (65) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/01763f4e-8d7f-4409-9f70-0ddbb333e5db.jpeg] Florida Panthers defenseman Markus Nutivaara (65) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Former Florida Panthers defenseman Markus Nutivaara is coming out of retirement and joining Karpat, a Finnish team in Liiga [http://thn.com/international]. The 31-year-old's last professional hockey game came with the Panthers during the 2021-22 season, where he recorded one assist in one game. He signed with the San Jose Sharks [http://thn.com/sanjose] the following year, but did not play in any games. He remained unsigned for the next two seasons but has decided to return to hockey, joining Karpat [https://karpat.fi/markus-nutivaara-tekee-paluun-pelikentille-ja-karppapaitaan/], a team with which he has played at several levels. Nutivaara worked his way through the Finnish ranks playing with Karpat at the U-16, U-18 and U-20 level before joining their professional team, winning a championship. The Oulu, FIN. native was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets [http://thn.com/columbus] in the seventh round (189th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2016-17 season, scoring two goals and seven points in 66 games. In 2018, Nutivaara signed a four-year, $10.8 million ($2.7 million annually) contract with the Blue Jackets but was acquired by the Panthers less than two years later. He played in 30 games during the 2020-21 season, notching 10 assists. The final year of his contract saw him receive just one game of NHL action before signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Sharks, but he did not play any NHL or AHL games with the franchise. Now, Nutivaara will join a Karpat side, which features several NHL prospects and former NHL players. Niko Mikkola Put The NHL On Notice During The Playoffs, But His Value To The Panthers Remains Underrated [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/004fa7c9-19b3-4068-9222-486925cf71ee.webp] Niko Mikkola Put The NHL On Notice During The Playoffs, But His Value To The Panthers Remains Underrated Niko Mikkola has played a crucial role in the Florida Panthers' recent success, putting the league on notice during the playoffs, yet his value to the organization can still be considered underrated. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/niko-mikkola-put-the-nhl-on-notice-during-the-playoffs-but-his-value-to-the-panthers-remains-underrated]
