Niko
Mikkola
D · FLA · Defensive · Above average
- PAL
- 64
- WAR
- 0.3
- Value
- 61
- PTS
- 11
2025-26№ 118 / 325
Niko Mikkola (Florida Panthers) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Niko Mikkola
#77D
Florida Panthers
HEIGHT : 198 cm · WEIGHT : 93 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : April 26, 1996 · Kiiminki, Finland
Drafted : 2015 · STL · round 5, pick #127
Contract : $5,000,000 · 2026-27 → 2033-34 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $5,500,000NMC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Florida Panthers | 18 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| 2025-26 | Florida Panthers | 68 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 47 |
| 2024-25 | Florida Panthers | 76 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 70 |
| 2023-24 | Florida Panthers | 82 | 3 | 14 | 17 | 69 |
| 2022-23 | New York Rangers | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 23 |
| 2022-23 | St. Louis Blues | 50 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 35 |
| 2021-22 | St. Louis Blues | 54 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 55 |
| 2020-21 | St. Louis Blues | 30 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 11 |
| 2019-20 | St. Louis Blues | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| NHL totals | 413 | 19 | 58 | 77 | 326 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Florida Panthers | 22 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 37 |
| 2023-24 | Florida Panthers | 24 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 22 |
| 2022-23 | New York Rangers | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 |
| 2021-22 | St. Louis Blues | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2020-21 | St. Louis Blues | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Playoff totals | 69 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 81 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cup2 times · 2024-25, 2023-24
Niko Mikkola: our analysis
2025-26 season: 68 GP, 3 G, 8 A, 11 PTS, -1 +/-, 20:21 TOI. WAR 0.3 (118th of 325) · PAL 64, above average.
In 2025-26, Niko Mikkola, 30, posts a PAL Rating of 64 out of 100 (above average), and his WAR of 0.3 ranks 118th among 325 regulars, in the top half.
His strengths: penalty kill (99, among the best in the league), discipline (82, well above average) and defense (68, above average). On the other hand, offense (9, among the weakest in the league) and power play (20, well below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV defense (+2.0); his biggest cost: EV offense (-3.1).
An improvement on 2024-25, when his PAL was 59; his WAR went from 0.0 to 0.3.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 61 (good value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Niko Mikkola's story
Mikkola first appeared in Finland’s top tier during the 2014–15 season, splitting time between KalPa and a stint with Hokki Kajaani and building the steady defensive game that would define him.
Selected 127th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he deferred an immediate North American move and inked a two-year deal with Tappara in May 2017. He still attended the Blues’ 2017 training camp and played in two preseason games before returning to Tappara, where he posted 2 goals and 11 points in 50 regular-season contests and finished the season leading the league in plus-minus while helping the club to a silver medal.
Mikkola signed a two-year entry-level contract with St. Louis on 1 June 2018. He made his NHL debut on 7 January 2020 against the San Jose Sharks and recorded his first NHL goal on 8 March 2021, again versus San Jose. After playing parts of several seasons with the Blues, he was traded on 9 February 2023 to the New York Rangers alongside Vladimir Tarasenko in a deal that included conditional draft picks and two players returning to St. Louis.
A free agent after his time in New York, Mikkola agreed to a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the Florida Panthers on 1 July 2023. With Florida he reached the pinnacle of team achievement, winning the Stanley Cup in 2024 and repeating as champion in 2025. On 2 October 2025 he signed an eight-year extension that begins in 2026–27.
Internationally, Mikkola represented Finland at the 2016 World Junior Championship and later at the 2019 IIHF World Championship and the 4 Nations Face-Off; he also took part in the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning a bronze medal. His game is straightforward: physical defence, strong positioning and a plus-minus profile developed over seasons in Liiga and the NHL.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 19:26
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:06
- SH TOI/GP
- 3:03
- Pts/GP
- 0.22
- EV points
- 4
- Hits
- 21
- Blocks
- 18
- Takeaways
- 7
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 56.8 %
- Off. zone starts
- 37.9 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
14between 5 and 22 (80% range)
- Goals
- 5
- Assists
- 9
- Games
- 77
So far: 4 pts in 18 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.18 pts per game (last season: 0.16).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.21 in 23-24, 0.16 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 59 → 64
Outlook, age included
→ StableAge 30: prime years
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 85 %
70
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 88
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 80
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 75
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 79
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 86
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 80
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 70
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 42
- Confidence 85 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 67
- Confidence 85 %
- DF
- Defense
- 81
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 82
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating88
- Top speed (35 %)35.9 · 80
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)2.98 · 86
- Distance /60 (20 %)15.2 · 96
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.3 · 85
ST — Strength80
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)5.832 · 80
- Body mass (50 %)0.549 · 78
EN — Endurance75
- Ice time per game (45 %)19.5 · 77
- Total ice time (20 %)1,364 · 75
- Shift length (15 %)43.9 · 61
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)17.3 · 74
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.321 · 75
DU — Durability79
- Share of games played (100 %)0.847 · 79
CK — Checking86
- Hits /60 (70 %)5.343 · 85
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)4.694 · 86
- Season volume (10 %)4.762 · 86
FG — Fighting80
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.967 · 80
DI — Discipline70
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.052 · 70
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.932 · 60
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.628 · 88
PA — Passing42
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.19 · 50
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.335 · 65
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.151 · 52
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.869 · 68
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.121 · 60
SC — Scoring67
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.168 · 68
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.193 · 74
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.019 · 64
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.092 · 72
- xG per shot (10 %)0.034 · 75
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)8.605 · 66
DF — Defense81
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.07 · 80
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.047 · 77
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.485 · 83
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.29 · 92
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.306 · 65
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)56.7 · 81
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)4.002 · 69
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience82
- Career regular-season games (65 %)84
- Career playoff games (25 %)80
- NHL seasons (10 %)71
OV — Overall70
- DF · Defense (30 %)81
- PA · Passing (22 %)42
- SK · Skating (12 %)88
- SC · Scoring (12 %)67
- EN · Endurance (9 %)75
- ST · Strength (6 %)80
- DI · Discipline (5 %)70
- CK · Checking (4 %)86
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 70 | 88 | 67 | 81 |
| 2024-25 | 71 | 88 | 73 | 78 |
| 2023-24 | 64 | 86 | 61 | 75 |
| 2022-23 | 57 | 86 | 42 | 73 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
0.3
wins above replacement
118 of 325
PAL Rating
64/ 100
Performance · Above average
83 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
61/ 100
Good value
2.50 M$ · expected PAL 54
ProfileDefensiveValue comes mostly from defense
- Offense
- 23
- Defense
- 82
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 9
- Creation
- 43
- Shooting
- 29
- Possession
- 57
- Defense
- 68
- Discipline
- 82
- Power play
- 20
- Penalty kill
- 99
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | 0.3 | 64 | 61 | 2.50 M$ |
| 2024-25 | FLA | 0.0 | 59 | 55 | 2.50 M$ |
| 2023-24 | FLA | -0.8 | 39 | 28 | 2.50 M$ |
| 2022-23 | NYR | -1.2 | 6 | 4 | 1.90 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
41/ 100
Average
better than 41% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
65/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
23/ 100
Below average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 132 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 13
- Shot selection
- 61
- Penalties drawn
- 91
- Puck management
- 25
Defense
- Takeaways
- 31
- Discipline
- 33
- Safe zone exits
- 26
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | 41 | 65 | 23 |
| 2024-25 | FLA | 13 | 43 | 8 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 32 | 52 | 22 |
| 2022-23 | NYR | 1 | 5 | 2 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.3
wins above replacement
-0.5 to 1.1 — 90% interval
118 of 325 defensemen
+1.8 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -3.1
- EV defense
- +2.0
- Power play
- -0.0
- Penalty kill
- +1.8
- Shooting
- -1.3
- Penalties
- -0.5
- Average → replacement
- +2.9
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | FLA | 68 | 0.3 | -0.5 to 1.1 | 118/325 |
| 2024-25 | FLA | 73 | 0.0 | -0.9 to 1.1 | 179/314 |
| 2023-24 | FLA | 82 | -0.8 | -1.4 to 0.4 | 300/316 |
| 2022-23 | NYR | 81 | -1.2 | -2.3 to -0.5 | 325/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 133.5 km/h22nd percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 34.8 km/h71st percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 1480th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 42.0 %57th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 82.7 km80th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.85 km81st percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 44.0 %80th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.2 %53rd percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 39.8 %57th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 2380th percentile | 287th percentile | 8.7 %66th percentile |
| High danger | 394th percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %60th percentile |
| Mid range | 473rd percentile | 190th percentile | 25.0 %83rd percentile |
| Long range | 864th percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
BOS
WSH
CHI
DET
WPG
PIT
OTT
SEA
VAN
CBJ
BUF
MIN
LAK
ANA
SJS
CARNiko Mikkola: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Niko Mikkola have in 2026-27?
Niko Mikkola has 2 goals and 4 points (2 assists) in 18 games in 2026-27.
How old is Niko Mikkola?
Niko Mikkola is 30 years old: he was born on April 27, 1996.
How tall is Niko Mikkola, and how much does he weigh?
Niko Mikkola is 6'6" (198 cm) and weighs 205 lb (93 kg).
Where is Niko Mikkola from?
Finland: Niko Mikkola was born in Kiiminki, Finland.
What team does Niko Mikkola play for?
Niko Mikkola plays for the Florida Panthers in the NHL, at D, wearing number 77.
Is Niko Mikkola injured?
No: Niko Mikkola is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Niko Mikkola?
Niko Mikkola produced 0.3 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 118th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 64 out of 100: above average for his position.
How much does Niko Mikkola make?
Niko Mikkola earns $2.5M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 61 out of 100 (good value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Niko Mikkola's contract end?
Niko Mikkola's contract runs through the 2033-34 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NMC / M-NTC clause.
Is Niko Mikkola overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 61 out of 100 (good value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Niko Mikkola a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 118th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Niko Mikkola getting better?
Yes: his PAL rating went from 59 in 2024-25 to 64 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Niko Mikkola played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Niko Mikkola has 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists).
What are Niko Mikkola's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Niko Mikkola has 413 games, 19 goals, 58 assists and 77 points. His best season: 2024-25, with 22 points in 76 games.
Where was Niko Mikkola drafted?
Niko Mikkola was drafted 127th overall (round 5) by St. Louis Blues in 2015.
Is Niko Mikkola better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 0.33 points per game at home (2 in 6 games) and 0.17 on the road (2 in 12 games).
How does Niko Mikkola perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Niko Mikkola has 69 games and 14 points in his career. His pace (0.20 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.19).
Which player is most similar to Niko Mikkola?
Nick Seeler: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Nick Seeler's page →Is Niko Mikkola a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 14 points in 2026-27, or 0.18 points per game.
What is Niko Mikkola's nationality?
Niko Mikkola is Finnish. Internationally: Represented Finland: 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships (junior team), 2019 IIHF World Championship and 4 Nations Face-Off (2019), 2026 Winter Olympics — bronze medal.
How many championships has Niko Mikkola won?
2: Stanley Cup 2024 with the Florida Panthers; Stanley Cup 2025 with the Florida Panthers.
Where did Niko Mikkola play before turning pro?
Liiga debut with KalPa (2014–15 season); played with Tappara (2017–18 season).
How many points is Niko Mikkola projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 14 points in 77 games in 2026-27 (5 to 22 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Florida Panthers teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)