Markov is too brittle & Boyle is too old. I like Niskanen but don't we expect the Pens to extend him? If not, there are plenty of possible moves to free up the space to get him. The Flyers' much-hyped forward depth isn't bearing itself out in these playoffs. This team seems like it needs another sniper. The Vinny signing looks ugly right now - he has been a complete and utter non-factor in this series. They don't even know where they should play the guy.
- BOSS_TWEED

The Pens are in cap hell. They won't have the money to extend him unless they move salary. They would need to move multiple depth pieces or one of their big pieces (Neal, Malkin, Kunitz, Fleury, Letang). Even if they move a guy like Dupuis, it still won't be enough. Dupuis is an important player to that team anyway.

I think they explore trading Letang, but end up letting Niskanen walk in the end.

The mix isn't great, for sure. I wouldn't bank on addition by subtraction though, even if the cap dollars are really piling up.
- BulliesPhan87

I dont want them to just dump salary. But they are gonna have to look at this roster and move who they can to fix some pf the holes. It might and most likely will mean moving guys like simmonds or read. I wonder if homer is willing to relive the carter/richards sweepstakes.

I would rather have Niskanen for $6M than MacDonald for $5M!
- PhillySportsGuy

OK, great. What makes you think he would have signed here for $6m? Do you think the Flyers are the only team in the league that will offer him that much money?

Flyers in 7.

[quote=PhillySportsGuy]I would rather have Niskanen for $6M than MacDonald for $5M!/quote]

OK, great. What makes you think he would have signed here for $6m?
- Feanor

The hypothetical was 7year $42M. I was saying I would much rather have that deal than MacDonald's.

In the end, I would rather pay market value for Niskanen than market value for MacDonald. If Niskanen is $6.5M over 7 years, then I would rather have him than Mac.

Statistically, usage-wise, and in terms of physical tools, they're virtually identical. Except that Butler's bigger and a bit better offensively.
- Tomahawk

24 points in his last 126 games. Career PPG of 0.215.

MacDonald 40 points in his last 130 games. Career PPG of 0.296.

I would rather have Niskanen for $6M than MacDonald for $5M! Niskanen is a better player than MacDonald. He's just as good defensively and much better offensively. He's, also, a right handed shot.
- PhillySportsGuy

Are we putting a bit too much value on Niskanen? He would come to Philly and be the next Nolan Baumgartner. Macdonald has been quietly excellent. Good defensively, great shot blocker and a calming influence on a blue line that has the tendency to play hot potato with the puck. He has been the only bright spot besides L.Schenn on the blue line this post-season and it just so happens L. Schenn plays with A Mac, hmmmm

Flyers in 7.

- FlyerGuy

If mason catches fire for two games yes... Otherwise im not holding my breath.

I dont want them to just dump salary. But they are gonna have to look at this roster and move who they can to fix some pf the holes. It might and most likely will mean moving guys like simmonds or read. I wonder if homer is willing to relive the carter/richards sweepstakes.
- JoeRussomanno

Hard to say what direction they'll go this summer. Despite the knocks on him this morning, I don't think anybody we already have can fill Kimmo's shoes as a two way top pairing defender.

...wait, why am I indulging this? We're still in the playoffs!

It's tough to look at numbers in playoff series. Small sample size and all that....

Hasn't Crosby gone 9 playoff games in a row without scoring a goal now?
- PLindbergh31

But that is exactly my point.

It is a very small sample size. Teams that have their best players producing good numbers go far. Teams that dont have their best players producing good numbers typically dont.

You need to produce even better in the smaller sample size.

Hard to say what direction they'll go this summer. Despite the knocks on him this morning, I don't think anybody we already have can fill Kimmo's shoes as a two way top pairing defender.

...wait, why am I indulging this? We're still in the playoffs!
- BulliesPhan87

Even kimo isnt filling those shoes these days... Decomposition wins out.

Even kimo isnt filling those shoes these days... Decomposition wins out.
- JoeRussomanno

Meh

24 points in his last 126 games.

MacDonald 40 points in his last 130 games.
- Feanor

A function of a ridiculous amount of minutes and prime PP-time... control for TOI by using P/60:

AMac
12/13 0.32
13/14 0.42

Butler
12/13 0.64
13/14 0.58

Meh
- BulliesPhan87

Ill miss old yeller too travis

@NHL Afternoon games suck. Please stop. Thank you.

Next season might be a bit rough on the blueline with Kimmo gone or even if he stays, but in a couple of years I think at least two of Ghost, Morin, Hagg and Alt will be solid contributors. Maybe three.

Are we putting a bit too much value on Niskanen? He would come to Philly and be the next Nolan Baumgartner. Macdonald has been quietly excellent. Good defensively, great shot blocker and a calming influence on a blue line that has the tendency to play hot potato with the puck. He has been the only bright spot besides L.Schenn on the blue line this post-season and it just so happens L. Schenn plays with A Mac, hmmmm
- GOA88

Niskanen is a former first round pick that has put up decent offensive numbers, but has really come into his own the past few seasons. He broke out this year playing extremely well on an injury depleted Pens team.

He is not Nolan Baumgartner.

No thanks. I have some Molly already
- PhillySportsGuy

Are we putting a bit too much value on Niskanen? He would come to Philly and be the next Nolan Baumgartner. Macdonald has been quietly excellent. Good defensively, great shot blocker and a calming influence on a blue line that has the tendency to play hot potato with the puck. He has been the only bright spot besides L.Schenn on the blue line this post-season and it just so happens L. Schenn plays with A Mac, hmmmm
- GOA88

Luke Schenn had a great season last year with Timonen. He played well with Gus too. Schenn was always saddled with Mez this season. He needed a competent partner.

I happen to like Niskanen a lot. He's helped keep the Pens D together all season. They had a ton of injuries to guys like Martin, Orpik and Letang. He plays mostly with Maata so it's not like he's reaping the benefits of playing with a guy like Paul Martin.

He was inconsistent his entire career. He's always displayed promise, but just couldn't put it all together. It appears he's put it all together now.

I don't think he's a true #1dman, but he would help this team a lot more than MacDonald. MacDonald allows zone entries at a higher rate than any other Flyers defenseman. By a wide margin as well. He concedes entries way too easily.

Next season might be a bit rough on the blueline with Kimmo gone or even if he stays, but in a couple of years I think at least two of Ghost, Morin, Hagg and Alt will be solid contributors. Maybe three.
- Feanor

I think youre rushing the youngsters a tad.

Niskanen is a former first round pick that has put up decent offensive numbers, but has really come into his own the past few seasons. He broke out this year playing extremely well on an injury depleted Pens team.

He is not Nolan Baumgartner.
- jak521

My point is that Niskanen is not the answer. By any stretch of the imagination.

My point is that Niskanen is not the answer. By any stretch of the imagination.
- GOA88

Can you elaborate as to why? I.e. poor puckhandling etc...

My point is that Niskanen is not the answer. By any stretch of the imagination.
- GOA88

But MacDonald is?

Niskanen-Coburn would be a fine top pairing. They wouldn't be the best, but they could hold things together.

But MacDonald is?

Niskanen-Coburn would be a fine top pairing. They wouldn't be the best, but they could hold things together.
- PhillySportsGuy

Amac and schenn as second pair?

The Flyers have been a good drafting team and Homer has won most of his trades. His signings have been bad though. Can you imagine this team if they didn't have the compliance buyouts? He moves two bad contracts out and more bad contracts in. It's like he has no hindsight in any of these deals.
- PhillySportsGuy

Homer's a classic case of a gambler chasing losses.