Niko Mikkola

Niko Mikkola
Mikkola during his time with the New York Rangers on 31 March 2023
Born (1996-04-27) 27 April 1996 (age 30)
Moscow, Russia
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Florida Panthers
KalPa
Tappara
St. Louis Blues
New York Rangers
National team  Finland
NHL draft 127th overall, 2015
St. Louis Blues
Playing career 2014–present

Niko Mikkola (born 27 April 1996) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He currently plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. Outside of the NHL, Mikkola played for KalPa and Tappara of the Liiga.

Mikkola is two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning back-to-back with the Panthers in 2024 and 2025. Internationally, Mikkola plays for Finland and won a bronze medal in 2026.

Career

Before playing in the NHL, Mikkola played three seasons with KalPa and one season with Tappara of the Liiga.

He was drafted 127th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2015 NHL entry draft. On 31 May 2018, Mikkola signed a one-year entry-level contract to join the Blues. He was sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate San Antonio Rampage.

On 7 January 2020, the Blues called him up and Mikkola made his NHL debut in a 3–2 win against the San Jose Sharks. On 9 January 2020, he recorded his first NHL point after assisting on a Tyler Bozak goal in a 5–1 win against the Buffalo Sabres. On 7 April 2021, Lyubushkin scored his first NHL goal against Devan Dubnyk in a 3–2 overtime loss against the San Jose Sharks. On 17 July 2022, Mikkola signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract to stay with the Blues.

On 9 February 2023, the Blues traded Mikkola along with Vladimir Tarasenko to the New York Rangers in exchange for Samuel Blais, Hunter Skinner, a 2023 conditional first-round draft pick, and a 2024 conditional fourth-round draft pick. He scored 1 goal and recorded 2 assists in 31 regular season games and 2 assist in 7 playoff games for the Rangers.

On 1 July 2023, Mikkola signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract to join the Florida Panthers. He helped the Panthers in the Stanley Cup playoffs as they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers. They eventually went on to defeat the Edmonton Oilers four games to three in the Finals to win the first Stanley Cup in Panthers history. The next season, he helped the team reach their second-straight Finals, as the Panthers again defeated the Oilers four games to two to win back-to-back Stanley Cups.

On 2 October 2025, Mikkola signed an eight-year, $40 million contract to stay with the Panthers.

References

  1. ↑ "Blues sign Mikkola to two-year entry-level deal". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Mikkola to make NHL debut for Blues against San Jose". KSDK. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Thomas, Bozak lead Blues to 5-1 win over Sabres". ESPN. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Kane's OT goal leads Sharks past Blues 3-2". ESPN. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Mikkola signs one-year extension". St. Louis Blues. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Rangers Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola". New York Rangers. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Panthers Agree to Terms with Defenseman Niko Mikkola on a 3-year Contract". Florida Panthers. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Panthers recover, defeat Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final for 1st title". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Reinhart scores 4, Panthers top Oilers in Game 6 to repeat as Stanley Cup champions". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Florida Panthers Agree to Terms with Defenseman Niko Mikkola on an Eight-Year Contract Extension". Florida Panthers. Retrieved August 31, 2026.

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