"I'm excited for it," says Niskanen of skating in his first exhibition tilt. "Camp has been pretty good. We have a lot of guys around, and with a different type of roster situation this year, it has a different dynamic to it with the organization trying to get some young guys a chance here. I had to sit out the first couple, but I'm excited to get back in there tonight and to get back into the swing of things.
"The regular season is not that far away, so there isn't a ton of time to just wade into the water. You've got to jump right in, and try to get up to speed."
Djoos played with John Carlson on Monday in New Jersey, and he played with Taylor Chorney on Friday night in the loss to St. Louis. He'll get his third partner in as many games tonight when he skates alongside Niskanen.
"Djoos has done well so far," says Niskanen. "He has showcased his skills and the type of defenseman that he has got to be to be a player in the league. I think he has shown that so far.
"He uses his positioning and his stick skills to defend very well, and then he is a slick mover of the puck. He can transition it quickly, he moves really smoothly along the blueline, creating offense that way. He's got a pretty good shot.
"I'll be partnered with him tonight, it sounds like. I'll just try to be a really good partner for him; let him do his thing, use his instincts, try to always give him an easy out as a partner, be available for a pass to make his life easier and showcase his skills."
Djoos played 18:26 in Friday's game. He hasn't been involved in the attack much in his two-game trial, but there hasn't been much offense to be involved with, either.
