OpTic target niko as gade nears North return

OpTic have set their sights on HEROIC star Nikolaj "⁠niko⁠" Kristensen as Nicklas "⁠gade⁠" Gade will be recalled by North, HLTV.org has learned.

niko has been on loan with North since the beginning of August as part of a deal that saw Daniel "⁠mertz⁠" Mertz move in the opposite direction.

North struck gold at their first event with the 20-year-old as they lifted the DreamHack Masters Stockholm trophy, but disappointment followed as the Danes bowed out of the Major in the New Challengers Stage with a 2-3 record.

niko close to reuniting with Snappi and JUGi

He is now earmarked by OpTic as a potential replacement for gade, who is close to returning to North after spending the last seven months on loan with the North American organisation, according to a report from DBLTAP and to information gathered by HLTV.org.

During gade's time with OpTic, the team most notably finished in second place at DreamHack Open Summer and at the Europe Minor. The Danes cut a frustrating figure at their last three events, finishing 5th-8th at the ZOTAC Cup Masters, 9th-12th at DreamHack Masters Stockholm and 9th-11th in the FACEIT Major's New Challengers Stage.

If the move comes to fruition, OpTic will be left with:

Denmark Kristian "⁠k0nfig⁠" Wienecke
Denmark René "⁠cajunb⁠" Borg
Denmark Jakob "⁠JUGi⁠" Hansen
Denmark Marco "⁠Snappi⁠" Pfeiffer
Denmark Nikolaj "⁠niko⁠" Kristensen

Denmark René 'cajunb' Borg
René 'cajunb' Borg
Age:
28
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.08
Maps played:
1203
KPR:
0.72
DPR:
0.63
Denmark Kristian 'k0nfig' Wienecke
Kristian 'k0nfig' Wienecke
Age:
21
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.10
Maps played:
804
KPR:
0.76
DPR:
0.69
Denmark Daniel 'mertz' Mertz
Daniel 'mertz' Mertz
Age:
19
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.10
Maps played:
487
KPR:
0.75
DPR:
0.65
Denmark Nikolaj 'niko' Kristensen
Nikolaj 'niko' Kristensen
Age:
20
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.05
Maps played:
631
KPR:
0.71
DPR:
0.65
Denmark Marco 'Snappi' Pfeiffer
Marco 'Snappi' Pfeiffer
Age:
28
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.97
Maps played:
850
KPR:
0.68
DPR:
0.69
Denmark Nicklas 'gade' Gade
Nicklas 'gade' Gade
Age:
23
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.02
Maps played:
399
KPR:
0.68
DPR:
0.67
Denmark Jakob 'JUGi' Hansen
Jakob 'JUGi' Hansen
Age:
21
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.13
Maps played:
639
KPR:
0.75
DPR:
0.61
Optic>North
2018-09-23 12:32
0
44 replies
I disagree, both are trash
2018-09-23 12:39
0
40 replies
+1
2018-09-23 12:41
0
6 replies
#93
 | 
United Kingdom C4Golden
Smoooooooya
2018-09-23 14:48
0
5 replies
#110
 | 
Denmark DaTrumf
Yea he is trash
2018-09-23 17:21
0
4 replies
better than KioShima
2018-09-23 17:47
0
3 replies
that's not saying much
2018-09-23 18:01
0
So literal trash anyway?
2018-09-23 18:12
0
#125
 | 
Denmark DaTrumf
I didn’t say he wasn’t. Kioshima from back in the days
2018-09-23 20:58
0
optic has higher potential imo now just -cajunb +valde and we almost have old heroic again
2018-09-23 12:44
0
26 replies
if Astralis doesn't win the major -Magisk +valde We all know that
2018-09-23 12:48
0
13 replies
nah magisk > valde
2018-09-23 12:52
0
#51
Faceit level 6  | 
 | 
Turkey Alpyy
It's kinda downgrade when magisk at his peak rn.
2018-09-23 12:53
0
#55
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sweden Kasidro
magisk won't be replaced if they lose
2018-09-23 13:00
0
#70
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
China o_O
lmao no
2018-09-23 13:30
0
1 reply
+1 both trash
2018-09-23 13:35
0
like wtf?
2018-09-23 14:12
0
No way. Astralis won't make changes because of a second place at a major. Nor would they if they didn't qualify im pretty sure. Valde is a tilter and Magisk fits the team perfectly. Astralis also know that the key is to stay and work together and not make playershifts all the time.
2018-09-23 14:16
0
3 replies
+1
2018-09-23 14:20
0
#100
 | 
Portugal S4nd
Xyp9x is going to awp and Dev1ce is going back to the rifle
2018-09-23 15:16
0
1 reply
#112
 | 
Sweden Timings
:DD
2018-09-23 17:32
0
Wtf, a roster that's dominated the entire year should mess themselves up because of ONE second place? Astralis does not make roster changes often. They were not even prepared to kick Kjaer, he left on his own
2018-09-23 14:58
0
YOU have low iq
2018-09-23 15:27
0
Magisk > valde Valde isnt as experienced..
2018-09-23 15:29
0
Wtf lol ? Cajunb is good
2018-09-23 12:49
0
3 replies
#52
NAF | 
United States EZIBP
cajunb = cajunblows
2018-09-23 12:57
0
cajunb was good before the player break, he is at the moment extremely shit
2018-09-23 14:26
0
#118
 | 
Sweden flippig
nice joke
2018-09-23 18:59
0
Sure they do, but will it ever be reached? I'm not to sure.
2018-09-23 13:00
0
They have potential sadly cajun hits more than the "star players" k0nfig anx jugi.. everyone thought this lineup has huge potential sadly they f..ed up somehow
2018-09-23 13:22
0
+1
2018-09-23 15:27
0
#120
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Finland Smoonah
need to get rid of Snappi before anything
2018-09-23 19:19
0
4 replies
-snappi +???
2018-09-23 19:20
0
3 replies
#122
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Finland Smoonah
-snappi +Nato???? profit?
2018-09-23 19:22
0
+karrigan
2018-09-23 20:10
0
1 reply
Faze needs a replacement. Niko can't IGL in the long run. For a short while he can, bringing surprise factor. But without surprise factor, he is way below average IGL.
2018-09-24 13:37
0
#53
 | 
France kyojiNs
+1
2018-09-23 12:59
0
lmao for real
2018-09-23 13:01
0
Not trash, somtimes it dont work, just like you,,,,negative mind and only negativ talk, you are not trash, you Maby have a hard time, Maby the reason you are negativ 💪
2018-09-23 13:16
0
1 reply
Sure you can always be positive and you should, but dont let that give false hope, if something isn't working, which the optic lineup is not, and their best excuse is they are in a slump, it's time to change it up. You cant lie to yourself and say everything is okay when it's not. And most the time I'm positive lol, I just said that for memes
2018-09-23 13:22
0
+1 lmao
2018-09-23 13:33
0
Just because they're both bad doesn't change the fact that one can still be better than the other.
2018-09-25 03:29
0
#44
 | 
Poland Unluko
Lol
2018-09-23 12:48
0
#94
 | 
Finland kelvinha
optic < > North
2018-09-23 14:56
0
+1
2018-09-27 13:50
0
#2
 | 
United States l1nkax
Rip faze
2018-09-23 12:32
0
5 replies
#45
 | 
Poland Unluko
+1
2018-09-23 12:49
0
4 replies
#59
 | 
Germany jirschi
Not that niko
2018-09-23 13:06
0
3 replies
#67
 | 
Poland Unluko
yes?
2018-09-23 13:22
0
2 replies
#74
 | 
Germany jirschi
Yes, poor faze
2018-09-23 13:35
0
1 reply
#80
 | 
Poland Unluko
+1
2018-09-23 13:56
0
#3
 | 
Finland nek32
omg
2018-09-23 12:32
0
#4
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
donk | 
Bulgaria Minatø
XD
2018-09-23 12:32
0
hmm
2018-09-23 12:32
0
1
2018-09-23 12:33
0
#7
Faceit level 9  | 
 | 
Bulgaria NeonAssasin
hi
2018-09-23 12:33
0
#8
 | 
Denmark Jones123
Huh
2018-09-23 12:33
0
#9
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
dumau | 
Germany felo
bewlshit
2018-09-23 12:33
0
bump
2018-09-23 12:33
0
Xd
2018-09-23 12:33
0
#13
Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Austria ericmoncusi23
Lul
2018-09-23 12:34
0
#14
 | 
Australia WaxNWayne
That's bad. Niko>gade
2018-09-23 12:34
0
wtf
2018-09-23 12:34
0
#16
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
India Reaper1
so optic is basically heroic
2018-09-23 12:34
0
1 reply
#81
Faceit premium user Faceit level 10  | 
 | 
Russia Sur10n
lmao,so true
2018-09-23 14:00
0
XD FLUSHA TO FAZE PLS
2018-09-23 12:34
0
1 reply
C9
2018-09-24 13:38
0
#18
 | 
Sweden Probl33m
I hope this happens
2018-09-23 12:34
0
#19
 | 
Poland Marych
omg rip faze clan
2018-09-23 12:34
0
#20
 | 
Sweden pontus767
Niko should've stayed in North. Would be good to see Rubino in Optic...
2018-09-23 12:34
0
Lol
2018-09-23 12:35
0
niko realized after 1 event with north that this team will always be trash. good decision
2018-09-23 12:37
0
#24
 | 
Guam b7ack0ut
RIP Faze
2018-09-23 12:38
0
K0nfig is fucking faggot he said „Gade will stay he is like my brother" now -gade +niko Wtf
2018-09-23 12:38
0
8 replies
Man, he was only on loan. This is decision of North and optic can't do sh#it about it. Brain on...
2018-09-23 12:42
0
7 replies
Are u dumb is decison of players Have A Gud Day ;)
2018-09-23 12:43
0
4 replies
You are dumb, mong. Learn to read...
2018-09-23 12:45
0
If an org. loans a player to other org...and they want the player back...how the hell is that gade decision...he signed a contract with north..he is their little bitch and he cant do shit about it
2018-09-23 13:51
0
Expected from c9 fan
2018-09-23 16:29
0
1 reply
no brain C9 noobs
2018-09-23 17:38
0
people very often forget that pro cs.go is about money more than anything else.
2018-09-24 13:40
0
1 reply
yea...they also think that gambit will let hobbit leave without buy out because they are "friends" or that noah is the most evil and retarded person ever because he kept his players benched and didnt let them join other org for free lul...
2018-09-24 13:42
0
#28
 | 
Turkey kad1rb
upgrade for North. gade is well
2018-09-23 12:40
0
7 replies
Not an upgrade
2018-09-23 12:41
0
1 reply
#32
 | 
Turkey kad1rb
it is imo
2018-09-23 12:45
0
#42
 | 
Denmark resolut
Cromen to north better i think? Role issue but...
2018-09-23 12:48
0
3 replies
im not a fan of 4 core of one nationality adding 1 international player, its not a good move but i would add cromen to mouse
2018-09-23 12:49
0
2 replies
Many scandinavians have an easy time learning one of the two other languages. Device speaks fairly good Swedish for example, Emilia and pugging with her friends might be why. Rubino and Moddi also understands danish, and speaks it as well to some degree, well enough for proper coms.
2018-09-24 13:45
0
1 reply
yes on that kind of level when u can understand and speak a little bit it's okay, but i was talking like for example "problematic barrier" SK did with Stewie when boltz was on roster, when he did have problems with English
2018-09-24 15:46
0
Lol I have basically watched every optic match since they got gade and he is consistently shit literally so bad worst roster move if the year and maybe in history
2018-09-23 16:26
0
If someone is saying rip faze and actually means it im dead.
2018-09-23 12:40
0
#33
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
France jaimez
rip faze
2018-09-23 12:42
0
#35
 | 
Hungary Ilove2bait
K0nfig and Jugi should leave the sinking boat
2018-09-23 12:42
0
17 replies
#47
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sweden skorpan
k0nfig Valde MSL Kjaerbye JUGi Would be sick.
2018-09-23 12:49
0
12 replies
snappi>msl
2018-09-23 13:00
0
6 replies
Baaaased ooon?
2018-09-24 07:54
0
5 replies
I just dislike msl
2018-09-24 07:55
0
4 replies
Wow great reason
2018-09-24 07:57
0
1 reply
;) Reply needs to have actual content
2018-09-24 11:37
0
he seems arrogant, I share the same view. Oh, and he is proud to represent FCK, which probably nailed it (I am from Lyngby, not BIF FYI :D)
2018-09-24 13:46
0
1 reply
Has nothing to do with his quality as an IGL, the org and players around him seem to feel the opposite of you as well.
2018-09-24 22:16
0
That's the dumbest lineup ever put together
2018-09-24 08:00
0
3 replies
#131
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sweden skorpan
Tell me why.
2018-09-24 08:19
0
2 replies
Roles don't match up at all
2018-09-24 08:20
0
1 reply
#133
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Sweden skorpan
So, if you are entry for example, you could never be anything else?
2018-09-24 10:08
0
I can't imagine K0nfig ever going back to MSL. He would rather play tier 6 cs.go than rejoining the dictator.
2018-09-24 13:42
0
konfig maybe, but jugi? He is constantly second worst player of the team.
2018-09-23 13:46
0
3 replies
Is he? hltv.org/stats/players/compare/8783/JUGi.. Cajun has been great and I agree Jugi has been somewhat disappointing but gade and snappi are clearly the worst two players on the team.
2018-09-24 07:59
0
2 replies
So first is gade, second jugi like i said, no?
2018-09-24 13:29
0
1 reply
No first is gade 2nd is snappi, can you read. And no that's not just because his stats are low it's because he has all this talent finally and isnt able to achieve anything
2018-09-24 22:15
0
ree
2018-09-23 12:44
0
Both teams should disband. They suck ass.
2018-09-23 12:47
0
1 reply
+1
2018-09-23 13:12
0
#49
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Reunion HLTV_Confirmator
who cares t3 teams
2018-09-23 12:51
0
2 replies
#96
 | 
Greece deST)
North is solid tier 2 since org began.Wtf are you talking about
2018-09-23 15:05
0
1 reply
#99
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Reunion HLTV_Confirmator
nt it was solid bait
2018-09-23 15:14
0
#58
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
s1mple | 
Turkey solfex
North gayed
2018-09-23 13:06
0
-gade -cajunb +niko +cromen
2018-09-23 13:06
0
#61
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
France StickyRice
LOL replace niko by gade. Another "smart" idea coming from MSLUL
2018-09-23 13:09
0
5 replies
Do u realise msl its getting kicked also ? Its -niko -msl +cadiaN +gade
2018-09-23 13:51
0
4 replies
Where you got that info from?
2018-09-24 13:28
0
2 replies
2018-09-24 15:10
0
1 reply
Mertz was the problem Kappa
2018-09-24 15:35
0
If that happens, despite my bias against North (FCK) I will root for them. Cadian is a nice guy, all about fun and giggles, and he deserves a chance as IGL on a higher level within the borders of his own country. MSL has had longer leach than anyone. Most orgs would have sacked him more than a year ago.
2018-09-24 13:49
0
Rip Faze
2018-09-23 13:10
0
#64
 | 
Poland crouzzz
danish scene is a JOKE LUL
2018-09-23 13:14
0
1 reply
The irony when written by a Polish guy :D
2018-09-24 13:49
0
rip faze
2018-09-23 13:26
0
#73
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Slovakia KloperR
Faze will disband after this move
2018-09-23 13:35
0
Now -Snappi +karrigan
2018-09-23 13:42
0
niko looks like a 47yo british nan
2018-09-23 13:51
0
just like it will change anything lol.
2018-09-23 14:04
0
Why would North want gade over niko? Are they fucking retarded or what.
2018-09-23 14:06
0
2 replies
#98
 | 
Greece deST)
I guess becuz he is more handsome?Maybe they want to turn into a model team as well . If its true that they will go -niko +Gade - MSL +CadiaN .
2018-09-23 15:10
0
1 reply
Ugly vs fat, hmmmm
2018-09-24 13:27
0
#84
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
ropz | 
Latvia `DinGo
xD
2018-09-23 14:08
0
rofl
2018-09-23 14:23
0
K0nfig = great JuGi = can be great Gade = potentially good CajunB = needs to be confident and step up Snappi = needs to step the fuuuuuuuuuck up -Snappi + karrigan. K0nfig deserves better than 3/5 Heroic. He is a top20 player imo.
2018-09-23 14:25
0
-Snappi +Karrigan -Cajunb +Es3tag? (Valde would fit great but probably won't leave North for that) Maybe even Gade back again if he enjoyed his stay.
2018-09-23 14:30
0
I give him 4 weeks. After that, they'll probably sign jugi.
2018-09-23 14:39
0
1 reply
He probably has another hefty buyout. Optic bought him from Heroic, don't forget that. THey are not letting a super talent go without making money. unless they need to get rid of him. Everyone forgets that CS:GO is about money more than anything else.
2018-09-24 13:52
0
#97
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Armenia gr1nch
left from heroic to join north for optic
2018-09-23 15:06
0
But gade is so shit lmao
2018-09-23 15:27
0
#104
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
cadiaN | 
Denmark clutchkongen
what? xD he has been in north for 2 months lol.
2018-09-23 15:27
0
2 replies
#106
 | 
Greece deST)
He is playing with them on a loan . It wasnt a buyout transfer at all. Just like with mixwell few months ago
2018-09-23 15:31
0
1 reply
#119
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
cadiaN | 
Denmark clutchkongen
ahh fair enough i had no idea. thx.
2018-09-23 18:59
0
North is dumb. Please take gade
2018-09-23 16:31
0
Gade = toXic RIP North
2018-09-23 17:28
0
Budget Niko HLTV click bait confirmed
2018-09-23 20:08
0
1 reply
You have a budget brain if you didn't realize it wasn't Faze Niko before you clicked the link
2018-09-24 13:55
0
seems that niko loves big mac xD
2018-09-24 10:09
0
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