Corsica Hockey's player rating puts Niskanen at 42, while Gudas is an 84. Ghost is ranked 17. Lower numbers better. (https://www.corsicahockey...l-player-ratings-rankings)

Bad trade for the Flyers I don't care who says otherwise. Gudas played well and added MUCH NEEDED grit to this soft team. Once Simmonds was traded you had guy's like Konecny doing the protecting, that's just idiocy on the gm's part for leaving that situation like that.

Bad trade for the Flyers I don't care who says otherwise. Gudas played well and added MUCH NEEDED grit to this soft team. Once Simmonds was traded you had guy's like Konecny doing the protecting, that's just idiocy on the gm's part for leaving that situation like that.
- twpguy

I believe MJL had a stat earlier saying Niskanen was 3rd on the Caps in hits last year. It doesn’t sound like Niskanen will shy away from physical play.

Bad trade for the Flyers I don't care who says otherwise. Gudas played well and added MUCH NEEDED grit to this soft team. Once Simmonds was traded you had guy's like Konecny doing the protecting, that's just idiocy on the gm's part for leaving that situation like that.
- twpguy

Konecny protecting? LOL.

Niskanen was in the top 20 in hits among NHL defenseman last season.

Konecny protecting? LOL.

Niskanen was in the top 20 in hits among NHL defenseman last season.
- MJL

But but but narrative!

I believe MJL had a stat earlier saying Niskanen was 3rd on the Caps in hits last year. It doesn’t sound like Niskanen will shy away from physical play.
- Sublime55

This is how he stacks up to Flyers dmen on hits per 60mins:

Hagg 11.14
Gudas 11.12
Folin 8.91
Morin 8.73
Myers 7.81
Niskanan 5.71
Friedman 4.78
Provorov 3.59
MacDonald 2.34
Gostisbehere 1.8
Sanheim 1.68

(he was ranked 4th on the Caps' blueline)

Most hockey people talking about today’s trade point to Niskanans sneaky toughness. He’s a pretty well respected vet and despite an off season last year he is a legit 2nd pairing talent. Gudas is not. The extra million is not really an issue....it’s just Fletch using the tool of cap room to make the deal.
As well.....Gudas is a UFA in a year....could anyone see the Flyers resigning him ?
It ain’t the sexiest deal...but I’m starting to warm to it after researching a little more on the newest Flyer.

Didn’t Crosby beat Niskannen up?

TTTT

Didn’t Crosby beat Niskannen up?
- daryl stanley

Couldn’t sneak up on Crosby I guess...

I'll say it's not a bad trade. Not sure if it's a good trade yet, will have to see if Niskanen can have a sort of bounce back (not expecting his 13/14 season), then I'd call it a good trade.
- jmatchett383

several ways it becomes a good trade...

he bounces back to prior years

he plays well and makes a strong partner for one of the kids

he has a cup, this team needed someone like that.

he plays well and makes a strong partner for one of the kids
- wcorvette

This is really all they need from him. If he can simply provide that, it'll have been a trade worth making.

This is how he stacks up to Flyers dmen on hits per 60mins:

Hagg 11.14
Gudas 11.12
Folin 8.91
Morin 8.73
Myers 7.81
Niskanan 5.71
Friedman 4.78
Provorov 3.59
MacDonald 2.34
Gostisbehere 1.8
Sanheim 1.68

(he was ranked 4th on the Caps' blueline)
- Tomahawk

With Folin and Gudas no longer being Flyers...would you look...he is still 4th.

This is really all they need from him. If he can simply provide that, it'll have been a trade worth making.
- Tomahawk

He is very well respected in the caps locker room and by reporters. Apparently doesn’t dodge questions. Some pretty impressive words from his teammates. Flyers could use a bit of wisdom on the back end I suppose

I think he’s primarily here to settle provorov the f down

With Folin and Gudas no longer being Flyers...would you look...he is still 4th.
- NC Flyers Fan

Yeah, he's not particularly physical, but he's well-rounded enough that he can play the body when called for.

Honestly, I personally don't care if a guy hits everything that moves, or doesn't hit at all... as long as they can get the job done.

Supposedly Niskanen shines at zone-entries and defending his own blue-line. That matters a lot more than hits to me.

Bad trade for the Flyers I don't care who says otherwise. Gudas played well and added MUCH NEEDED grit to this soft team. Once Simmonds was traded you had guy's like Konecny doing the protecting, that's just idiocy on the gm's part for leaving that situation like that.
- twpguy

And here children if you look to your right you'll see some real WIP level nonsense.

Lots of good intangibles about Niskanen. The Flyers don’t need him to be a number 1; they need him to carry #2-3 minutes on 5 on 5 and play a little PK. He is touted as a team guy, glue guy, vocal leader and he is excited to have the added role of mentor to the Flyers talented young d-men.

As for doing it now...they have a plan...and obviously they aren’t done exploring options. No guarantees any pan out.

Cap...budget what you need. We needed this veteran upgrade. I am fine with the cost.

I’m happy about this move.

Didn’t Crosby beat Niskannen up?
- daryl stanley

I think Crosby hit him in the balls from behind if I remember correctly. I could be mistaken though.

Sometimes the small subtle moves turn out to be the more significant than the flashy name ones.
- daryl stanley

True.

Paying 30% of Gudas salary on top picking up another 2.5 million the Flyers are basically paying Niskanen 7 million. Is he a 7 million dollar defenseman now at 32 while breaking down? My fear is this is all Fletcher will do on defense.

Paying 30% of Gudas salary on top picking up another 2.5 million the Flyers are basically paying Niskanen 7 million. Is he a 7 million dollar defenseman now at 32 while breaking down? My fear is this is all Fletcher will do on defense.
- killercam

They're still carrying one to many guy on defense imo(even after waiving AMac). It's not even July 1st yet. He's hardly done.

It amuses me that a trade has to be made for a veteran second pairing D-man. Isn't that what MacDonald was supposed to be? So because he's a bum and a sunk cost the Flyers have to chase their tails.
- PLindbergh31

Yes and its exactly the same mistake Caps GM made. Gudas has had one good year just like AMac did. Niskanen is a proven commodity. We traded a guy with a CAREER high of 6 goals and 23 points for a guy whos CAREER high is 10 goals and 46 points. Clearly one is superior to the other.

Yeah, he's not particularly physical, but he's well-rounded enough that he can play the body when called for.

Honestly, I personally don't care if a guy hits everything that moves, or doesn't hit at all... as long as they can get the job done.

Supposedly Niskanen shines at zone-entries and defending his own blue-line. That matters a lot more than hits to me.
- Tomahawk

Yes...it isn’t an issue to me either. I think another poster eloquently pointed out how he helps with puck movement which was an actual issue with our defense.

Paying 30% of Gudas salary on top picking up another 2.5 million the Flyers are basically paying Niskanen 7 million. Is he a 7 million dollar defenseman now at 32 while breaking down? My fear is this is all Fletcher will do on defense.
- killercam

This comment is beyond stupid. You are not paying Niskanen 7 Million. You are taking 5.75 in back on a superior Dman and keeping 1 mill of Gudas. You arent paying Niskanen an extra million because you kept a cap hit. Not to mention he's a FA NEXT SEASON. That retained cap goes away next year! It would cost us more in cap space to buyout AMac which many on this board supported. Why is it better to take a larger cap hit over multiple years to have a player not play than it is to trade a guy and keep a small amount for a better Dman?

I still think ghost is gone