HabsWorld.net --
| Position: | Defence |
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| Shoots: | Left | |
| Height: | 6’1" | |
| Weight: | 220 lbs | |
| Birth Date: | 05/22/1975 | |
| Birth Place: | Raahe, Finland | |
| Acquired: | Trade with Dallas in 2006 (Janne Niinimaa & 5th Round Pick 2007 for Mike Ribeiro & 6th Round Pick 2008) |
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| Draft Team & Year: | Philadelphia Flyers in 1993 |
|
| Draft Round: | 2nd | |
| Overall Choice: | 36th | |
| Salary: | $2.508.000 |
Scouting Report
| Strengths: | Smooth skater that possesses above-average offensive talent. |
| Weaknesses: | Has good size but doesn’t always use it. Often takes needless penalties and makes defensive mistakes in his own end. Passed injuries seem to have slowed him down. |
| Projected Role: | Spare defenseman |
Biography
| GM Bob Gainey decided to trade Ribeiro for Niinimaa when it became apparent that the Montreal Canadiens needed an extra body in the back end. Montreal is the forth NHL team that Niinimaa has played for, and his third in the past 2 seasons. He split his season between the New York Islanders and Dallas Stars during the 2005-2006 season. Niinimaa collected 16 points in 63 games while posting a plus/minus of -12 during with the 2 clubs before being shipped to the Habs during the 2006-2007 training camp. |
