We Want Niko!

I think that it is time for the Sharks to call up Niko Dimitrakis. I do not understand why he did not make the team out of traning camp based on what he did last year. He was one of the best players in the AHL and had SIX GOALS and THIRTEEN POINTS in only 21 games in the NHL, without getting that much ice time. Give him a full season and he is capable of scoring 20 - 30 goals and 60 points. How many players on the Sharks can you say that about now?

Many publications thought he would fight for the Rookie of the Year this season. He has a ton of ability, and he was one of the most exciting Sharks player to watch last season. I would much sooner pay to see him play than all of the boring pluggers that are on the team now. Maybe that's why there are so many empty seats at the games, the Sharks need more players that are fun to watch and can supply some offense.

Maybe since the Sharks are not scoring goals now, we will see Niko again soon.

He had no points the first two games in Cleveland. He was a scratch today, and he isn't injured. So unless he was called up today, he was a healthy scratch. He is terrible, just terrible defensively.

If you can't play in the AHL, you sure can't play in the NHL.

Like Wild said, we're talking about a guy who needs work defensively. Yes, he put up 13 points in 21 games. 4 of those points were on the power play -- that means he was on the ice for at least 9 even strength goals, and he still wound up a -7.... and yes, I understand he was not the only one on the ice, and no I'm not solely blamking Niko, but he played a lot with Damphousse.. and damphouse was -8 in the 21 games that niko played, and only -6 over the entire rest of the year (61 games).

Also, to say he put up those numbers in limited ice time would be deceiving. He put up those numbers in 14+ average minutes of ice time a night. No, that's not first line ice time, but he was given a fair shot. I don't see anyone on the top 2 lines that he should be replacing, currently.

I would rather see Goc or Boyes. Mabey Zalesak even.

Time for the Barons fans input.

If you want somebody up, you want Marcel Goc. He's been the most solid forward (of the ones who are most eligible to go up out of Niko, Miro, Rissmiller, Hansen, etc.) Niko has not played well. Miro, despite two goals today is not playing intelligent defensive, or offensive for that matter hockey.

Boyes has been invisible and really hasn't done anything.

Goc has been on the PK, the PP, and has looked very solid. He cycles the puck well and can lay a hit here and there.

To be honest, the best move for SJ would be to stay content with what they have and let these kids mature, cause they still need more time.

Another night, another boring shutout. Bring up some of the young guys. Niko has been a winner and big game player his whole life. He has improved defensively. Either way, this team is in need of an offensive infusion (not to mention someone that is actually creative and fun to watch). If he's such a defensive liability, play him on the fourth line, but give him power play time. At least we won't be getting shut out every night. He'll be more productive than the guys we have playing now.

Another night, another boring shutout. Bring up some of the young guys. Niko has been a winner and big game player his whole life. He has improved defensively. Either way, this team is in need of an offensive infusion (not to mention someone that is actually creative and fun to watch). If he's such a defensive liability, play him on the fourth line, but give him power play time. At least we won't be getting shut out every night. He'll be more productive than the guys we have playing now.


He doesn't even have a point in the AHL yet, and he was even a scratch for yesterday's game.....he's not displaying any productivity as of yet. Hopefully that'll change soon, but that's not the case right now.

Would it be fair to say that somebody is sulking that he didn't make the Sharks and was beat out by Milan Michalek?

I would agree for now and just keep the youngsters in Cleveland for a while. It's not like last season where there was an apparent lack of effort in San Jose.

That said, the only prospect I'd expect to come up and make an offensive impact is Dimitrakos, who did so last season. That said, I don't think Sommer would give a ringing endorsement right now. Then Zalesak would follow for offensive purposes. Goc will not be a major offensive contributor at the NHL level. One has Michalek, then Sturm, and then Goc, with declining offensive talent at each step. Yes, Goc has some offense to him, especially at sub-NHL levels, but...at the NHL I still fully expect Goc to end up a strong two-way third line center.

That said, of anybody, I'd really expect NHL vet, and this isn't just 28 games or something like that, Todd Harvey to get a call if anybody (except maybe Loyns...we know how that works with Loyns)

Would it be fair to say that somebody is sulking that he didn't make the Sharks and was beat out by Milan Michalek?

I hate to say this, but you may be right on that. He just isn't playing up to his usual standard offensively, hence the scratch yesterday. We all know he can do better.

Jeez Kevin. Your salty about the hole Michalek over Vanek thing. Michalek is only 18 years old. He's going to get better. He does have some offensive talent. I expect him to be plugging in 70 points by the time he's 22-24 years old. I think he'll be in the group of are elite forwards. Marleau, Sturm and Michalek in a few years. Those three well be are #1 line. Goc is going to be a great third line center. He is underated because he's not "flashy" same with Boyes. Flash and dash dont always win games. Michaleks defensive play and hustle is uncanny. Not to mention his rocket shot, deft stickhandling, plus he's very quick on his feet. I love that pick. I think Bernier is going to be a stud to. I like are drafting the past few years. Expeacially 2003 !

Sharkie I think you are misunderstanding Kevin, it looks to me like he's saying From a talent Level he's putting Michalek above Strum and Goc, I don't see any slam on Michalek there at all. He's saying Niko is bummed because Michalek was better and Niko lost a spot he was perhaps expecting because Michalek did so well...

For those of you saying that Niko was not ready to contribute in the NHL because he had no points in Cleveland in two whole games this year, Niko is now averaging one point per game and is a "plus" player. Does this make him ready now?

I can't believe you would base an opinion on two games. Didn't you see him play at all last year? Unlike most of our prospects, he has already proven that he can score at the NHL level. How many other prospects can you say that about? On top of that he has real skill, and he plays hard. The other guys play hard, but don't have the talent to score or set up others with the same skill that Niko does.

I hope he gets a chance soon in San Jose to continue what he started last season.

For those of you saying that Niko was not ready to contribute in the NHL because he had no points in Cleveland in two whole games this year, Niko is now averaging one point per game and is a "plus" player. Does this make him ready now?

I can't believe you would base an opinion on two games. Didn't you see him play at all last year? Unlike most of our prospects, he has already proven that he can score at the NHL level. How many other prospects can you say that about? On top of that he has real skill, and he plays hard. The other guys play hard, but don't have the talent to score or set up others with the same skill that Niko does.

I hope he gets a chance soon in San Jose to continue what he started last season.


I hope he gets his chance soon, too!! And I'm really glad he had a multi-point game....that's awesome!! I just have to ask though....have you been to any of the Barons games that he played in? I wasn't basing my opinion solely on the fact that he had no points going into last night's game....but rather on the flat performance he had on the ice in those two games.

But, like I said, I'm glad he got some points and I do hope he gets the call soon!! :rolly:

For those of you saying that Niko was not ready to contribute in the NHL because he had no points in Cleveland in two whole games this year, Niko is now averaging one point per game and is a "plus" player. Does this make him ready now?

I can't believe you would base an opinion on two games. Didn't you see him play at all last year? Yes we did. I don't think any of us question his ability to put up points in the NHL; it's his defensive side that needs work.

Sharks need scoring right now, so Niko might get a chance soon. But if you're just going to base prospect chances on the fact that someone can score and play little defense, then Jan Caloun ought to be in the NHL.

3 games in three days - 7 points and a +7 rating - not a bad weekend's work for Niko

I think he could help us in San Jose

3 games in three days - 7 points and a +7 rating - not a bad weekend's work for Niko

I think he could help us in San Jose


After what he's just shown us, I have a gut feeling he'll be up there soon.

Dimitrakos named AHL player of the week!
http://nhl.com/intheslot/read/ahl/ahl_player_102703.html

3 games in three days - 7 points and a +7 rating - not a bad weekend's work for Niko

I think he could help us in San Jose


I'll take Niko over Korky anyday. Bring him up.
Plus he's got that rare first name in common with one of my favorite drummers, Niko McBrain. There's gotta be some greatness in the name alone.

At this point, no one in their right mind could be against this move. This team needs something to spark them, and maybe, just maybe it's ol' Niko Dimitrakos.