Biggest trade since the Gretzky deal imo

Niskanen was off the team already by the time Gonchar came to town. (frank) Gonchar’s cult of personality in Pittsburgh is way too big.
- Victoro311

So as a player, you're saying 55 had absolutely no influence on Niskanen? Ok, whatever you say.

Until last year, Niskanen was our best defender since the day he was signed.
- Blackstrom2

Almost like he's starting to decline a little at age 32...

Cap space. No pun intended.
- Rinosaur

I guess we should expect more trades like this. Good teams who are up against the Cap have to eat a lemon. That's tough to give up a top 4 dman for a caveman who spends less time on the ice than the Zamboni driver.

So as a player, you're saying 55 had absolutely no influence on Niskanen? Ok, whatever you say.
- Cousinskrid

Wait people think Sergei Gonchar is some sort of master defensive coach?

you guys know that the Pens defense is terrible, right?

Wait people think Sergei Gonchar is some sort of master defensive coach?

you guys know that the Pens defense is terrible, right?
- BINGO!

Gonchar played defense?

Gonchar played defense?
- gergeswillems

Once in a while, I guess.

I guess we should expect more trades like this. Good teams who are up against the Cap have to eat a lemon.

- gergeswillems

Yup. I mean, someone has to take Jack Johnson.

Fact. Anyone who doesn’t see this as a huge win for philly doesn’t watch hockey.

Only trouble is Seattle as hell have to be protected

I don't get why people say this is bad for the Flyers. Gudas is insanely Tom Wilson level stupid and a 7th D on most teams. The Flyers blueline is pretty young and Nisk is going to help in that department, he can free up Ghost (if he isn't traded) and also is a much better replacement for what should be an AMac buyout. Come back in December and discuss this trade.

I don't get why people say this is bad for the Flyers. Gudas is insanely Tom Wilson level stupid and a 7th D on most teams. The Flyers blueline is pretty young and Nisk is going to help in that department, he can free up Ghost (if he isn't traded) and also is a much better replacement for what should be an AMac buyout. Come back in December and discuss this trade.
- drew18

It's an excellent trade for the Flyers.

Yup. I mean, someone has to take Jack Johnson.
- Rinosaur

😂 Don't hold your breath.

Funny how with all of the names and rumors that are tossed around, nobody comes even close to predicting the real trade.

One piece of the puzzle completed. Still need to:

Sign Hayes or his equivalent.
Sign a backup goaltender.
Sign a 3 winger unless a youngster shows legitimate promise for this year.
Sign all RFA’s

Done, ready to compete.

😂 Don't hold your breath.
- gergeswillems

Hahah yeah, I know.

I think Flyers fans overrate Gudas. He's okay. Advanced stats are very inflated because he literally fires the puck at the net every time he touches it.

It's a small but important upgrade. If it was Niskanen from a few years ago he would cost a hell of a lot more than Gudas on last year of contract.
- cmr.266

This is not possible. Shot based metrics are infalllible.

This is not possible. Shot based metrics are infalllible.
- Aetherial

Niskanen is 4 years older, is more expensive, is signed for longer, was arguably worse than Gudas last season (though they're pretty close) and the Flyers retained salary to acquire him for some reason.

I really don't understand why the Flyers would do this beyond "change for the sake of change" because all this does is make them a little older and a little more expensive.
- BINGO!

BIAS FOR AKSHON

This deal sucks!! Felch’s first deal is a turd! Flyers are soft as it is. In case he missed it. Two bruising teams just played for the cup, and the previous year, another tough to play against team won it. Hope this isn’t a precursor! Severely disappointed!

This trade is fine. Niskanen is slightly better but he is also significantly faster than Gudas. Speed on D has been a huge problem for the Flyers. I am not going to say he's a speedy guy like Mason Raymond but he is faster than Gudas and better offensively without losing any of the defensive skill. Lets also consider Gudas did not play all that great prior to last season. He had a good year. The Flyers sold high on him.

The Capitals ice crew can't be too happy about all the extra wear and tear on the ice surface from Wilson and Gudas dragging their knuckles around out there all night
- eichiefs9

Gudas was really the last goon on the Flyers' roster. Some of their fans are not going to be happy about both ends of the deal.

This is a salary dump move on the part of the Capitals. Leave it to the Flyers to be willing partners in it (and the Capitals to be able to shed a somewhat bad contract, at least in the long run). Unless the Flyers are in "win now" mode (which they are not) this move makes no sense from their standpoint.

I think Flyers fans overrate Gudas. He's okay. Advanced stats are very inflated because he literally fires the puck at the net every time he touches it.

It's a small but important upgrade. If it was Niskanen from a few years ago he would cost a hell of a lot more than Gudas on last year of contract.
- cmr.266

Now if you could trade Niskanen for Gretzky from 30 years ago, this is a definite win for the Flyers; even if you had to retain 30% of Niskanen's salary!

Fact. Anyone who doesn’t see this as a huge win for philly doesn’t watch hockey.

Only trouble is Seattle as hell have to be protected
- JiggsDinner

He won't be under contract for the 21-22 season, so no need to protect him.

Damn, I was really hoping the Leafs would bring in Gudas. Would have looked good beside Dermott. Tell me I'm wrong.

the cap space saved doesn't matter if we're placing him with a Gudas.

Almost like he's starting to decline a little at age 32...
- BINGO!

His first bad season was last year. Prior to that, he saw the most 5v5 minutes of any dman, and was the premiere shutdown dman the Caps deployed. Orlov also had a bad year, and isn't 32. So the issues with the pair falling off the cliff needs to be examined closer.

I, personally, am a huge fan of Niskanen, and inclined to think his sharp decline can't be attributed to his age alone and it's certainly possible for him to return to a bit closer to form. Maybe he can excel in a 2nd pair role, not facing as stiff competition as he did here.