![A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/03/09151138/niko5.jpg)
A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic
![A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/03/10101954/GettyImages-1146182495-scaled.jpg)
A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic
![San Antonio Rampage on Twitter: "Stick taps to Niko Mikkola on his first @TheAHL goal! 🚨👏 https://t.co/B2guTlZBOn" / Twitter San Antonio Rampage on Twitter: "Stick taps to Niko Mikkola on his first @TheAHL goal! 🚨👏 https://t.co/B2guTlZBOn" / Twitter](https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1094061943839551488/img/TxlHDB-UkziKRG8E.jpg)
San Antonio Rampage on Twitter: "Stick taps to Niko Mikkola on his first @TheAHL goal! 🚨👏 https://t.co/B2guTlZBOn" / Twitter
![Filling the hole at the top of the Blues' D: What they see in Niko Mikkola, what the analytics say and the top trade options - The Athletic Filling the hole at the top of the Blues' D: What they see in Niko Mikkola, what the analytics say and the top trade options - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2022/01/06165445/USATSI_17457983-1024x682.jpg)
Filling the hole at the top of the Blues' D: What they see in Niko Mikkola, what the analytics say and the top trade options - The Athletic
![Filling the hole at the top of the Blues' D: What they see in Niko Mikkola, what the analytics say and the top trade options - The Athletic Filling the hole at the top of the Blues' D: What they see in Niko Mikkola, what the analytics say and the top trade options - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2022/01/06210236/USATSI_15462480-scaled.jpg)
Filling the hole at the top of the Blues' D: What they see in Niko Mikkola, what the analytics say and the top trade options - The Athletic
![A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/03/09150952/IMG_5376.jpg)
A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic
![A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/03/08183146/niko1-1.jpg)
A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic
![A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic A 'different element' on the Blues D: Niko Mikkola's path from aspiring garbage man to late-rising prospect to the NHL - The Athletic](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2021/03/08121833/GettyImages-1300369030-1024x683.jpg)