Mikkola logged two assists and a plus-3 rating in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Kings.
The helpers were Mikkola's first points of the year. He had a hand in Sam Reinhart's game-winning tally in the second period as well as a Brad Marchand insurance goal in the third. Mikkola has been fairly sound defensively so far, racking up 14 hits, 19 blocked shots, 12 shots on net, 12 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 14 appearances in a top-four role. He had a career-high 22 points in 76 regular-season outings last year, but a repeat effort in 2025-26 is unlikely due to his slow start.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Set to play Tuesday
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) will be available for Tuesday's game against the Bruins, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Mikkola suffered an upper-body injury during Saturday's game against Buffalo, but he felt better Sunday and has been cleared to play in Tuesday's matchup. Over his first seven appearances of the 2025-26 campaign, he's been held scoreless with eight blocked shots, five hits and four PIM while averaging 18:24 of ice time.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Inks eight-year extension
Rotowire
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.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Slated to play in Game 5
Rotowire
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: Poised to play Monday
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Set to play Tuesday
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
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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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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Looks good to go Wednesday
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) is expected to be in the lineup versus Utah on Wednesday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Mikkola missed five games with the injury, but it looks like he's ready to resume a top-four role. He skating on the second pairing in warmups. Mikkola had gone without a point in three games prior to his absence, so he'll be looking to get his offense back on track.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Game-time call Wednesday
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) is set to be a game-time decision Wednesday versus Utah, according to Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Mikkola is expected to take part in warmups before a determination on his status is made. He has four goals, 14 points, 53 hits and 47 blocks in 36 outings in 2024-25. Aaron Ekblad (undisclosed) is also a game-time call, so Florida has a lot of unknowns when it comes to its defense Wednesday.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Deemed game-time decision
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) is considered a game-time decision for Monday's road game against Colorado, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Mikkola has missed the last four games due to his upper-body injury, but he participated in Sunday's practice session. The Panthers want to monitor how he feels in the hours leading up to Monday's puck drop before determining his status, but even if he's unable to suit up against the Avalanche, he'll likely be able to return to game action soon.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Likely out at least two more games
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) has already been ruled out versus Carolina on Thursday and is also expected to be sidelined for Friday's clash with Pittsburgh, Alex Baumgartner of Five Reasons Sports reports.
Mikkola reportedly could play if needed but instead will sit out both ends of the Panthers' back-to-back. Through 36 appearances this year, the 28-year-old defender has notched four goals and 10 helpers, setting himself up to reach the 20-point threshold for the first time in his six-year NHL career.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Not available for Thursday
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) is making progress, but he won't return for Thursday's game against Carolina, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
It will be Mikkola's third straight game on the shelf. He has four goals, 14 points, 53 hits and 47 blocks in 36 appearances in 2024-25. When healthy, Mikkola typically gets top-four minutes but doesn't have a role on the power play.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Won't return Monday
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) won't play Monday against the Rangers, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Mikkola will miss a third straight game after suffering an injury Dec. 23 against Tampa Bay. Adam Boqvist will remain in the lineup in a bottom-pairing role with Mikkola unavailable.
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Panthers' Niko Mikkola: Unavailable for Saturday
Rotowire
Mikkola (upper body) will miss Saturday's game against Montreal, per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Mikkola has four goals and 14 points in 36 appearances in 2024-25. Adam Boqvist is expected to draw into the lineup due to Mikkola's injury.
