The Winnipeg Jets have placed Henri Nikkanen on waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

The Winnipeg Jets have placed Henri Nikkanen on waivers for the purpose of contract termination.

The Jets selected the 23-year-old centre in the fourth round (113th overall) in the 2019 NHL draft. After selecting him, Nikkanen played the following two seasons in Finland's top professional league, Liiga.

He made the transition over to North American hockey in 2022, playing for the Jets' AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Since coming over he's played in 140 games, scoring 13 goals and 32 points, struggling to break out offensively.

The start of the 2024-25 campaign has been just as difficult. He hasn't locked down an every-game roster spot and scored just one goal and four points in 13 games. 

Listed at 6'5, 216 lbs, Nikkanen has exciting physical tools but translating it into pro hockey hasn't come as easily as he and the Jets were hoping for. Terminating his contract will allow him to return to Europe and play professional hockey. 

A change of scenery can help the still-young Finnish forward find his game and maybe work his way back to the NHL. 

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