Bill Meltzer: Flyers Trade Gudas for Niskanen

I like this.

Thank you for the logical analysis Bill, Great Trade!!!!!

Unless you believe the Flyers had zero chance of bringing Gudas back at a reasonable (5.5) cap hit for a few more years this deal is a bust. As stated Niskanen may have had the higher potential, he is 3+ years Gudas's senior and already showing signs of decline. Add to this the fact the Flyers essentially helped Washington with salary cap issues and held 1m of Gudas's salary and this deal reeks.

Bill,

Any concern that an already soft team is now, on paper at this point, even softer?

I think we all hope that Morin handles some of that but man as I look at this lineup, in its current state, it's pretty crazy how soft they lookm

Unless you believe the Flyers had zero chance of bringing Gudas back at a reasonable (5.5) cap hit for a few more years this deal is a bust. As stated Niskanen may have had the higher potential, he is 3+ years Gudas's senior and already showing signs of decline. Add to this the fact the Flyers essentially helped Washington with salary cap issues and held 1m of Gudas's salary and this deal reeks.
- ICUBB

Cry me a river. The flyers have no players with proven playoff success. They trade a 3rd pairing dman for a 2nd pairing dman and only have to retain 30% of gudas contract for 1 year so who cares? They needed a more stable veteran on this defense and this does just that. I think you must forget how everyone wanted Gudas's head 2 years ago.

Unless you believe the Flyers had zero chance of bringing Gudas back at a reasonable (5.5) cap hit for a few more years this deal is a bust. As stated Niskanen may have had the higher potential, he is 3+ years Gudas's senior and already showing signs of decline. Add to this the fact the Flyers essentially helped Washington with salary cap issues and held 1m of Gudas's salary and this deal reeks.
- ICUBB

I would've preferred that they didn't retain salary but they got the better player in the deal. Most trades are made because they help both teams. The Flyers werent going to bring back Gudas, especially at that salary. Bottom line, stating that this deal reeks is just hyperbole and not well thought out.

Bill,

Any concern that an already soft team is now, on paper at this point, even softer?

I think we all hope that Morin handles some of that but man as I look at this lineup, in its current state, it's pretty crazy how soft they lookm
- opeth_pa

I don't know what else they will be doing. Keep in mind that Hägg plays a physical style in his own right -- that's not his issue. He has to get better getting the puck up the forwards. But he'll hit, box out, pin guys to the boards, etc.

I don't know what else they will be doing. Keep in mind that Hägg plays a physical style in his own right -- that's not his issue. He has to get better getting the puck up the forwards. But he'll hit, box out, pin guys to the boards, etc.
- bmeltzer

Better? I'll settle for doing it every once in a while instead of the constant "off the glass and out"

Unless you believe the Flyers had zero chance of bringing Gudas back at a reasonable (5.5) cap hit for a few more years this deal is a bust. As stated Niskanen may have had the higher potential, he is 3+ years Gudas's senior and already showing signs of decline. Add to this the fact the Flyers essentially helped Washington with salary cap issues and held 1m of Gudas's salary and this deal reeks.
- ICUBB

You think a few years of a $5.5M is a "reasonable" cap hit for a guy like Gudas?

Better? I'll settle for doing it every once in a while instead of the constant "off the glass and out"
- bulet13

I'll take that as opposed to "wrap it around the boards on the ice onto the stick of the opposing dman."

This is a deal that helps out both clubs. There's nothing wrong with that as that is how GMs build relationships. The Flyers got the better player and retaining 1 million for one year is not a big deal. This is a good trade.

I don't know what else they will be doing. Keep in mind that Hägg plays a physical style in his own right -- that's not his issue. He has to get better getting the puck up the forwards. But he'll hit, box out, pin guys to the boards, etc.
- bmeltzer

I think you'll also see a more physical Myers as he is getting more comfortable. He can play with an edge too i just think he wanted to keep things simple last year in is limited games.

This is a deal that helps out both clubs. There's nothing wrong with that as that is how GMs build relationships. The Flyers got the better player and retaining 1 million for one year is not a big deal. This is a good trade.
- BiggE

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.

We got the better player. I'm not a fan of the deal though I get it. I'm most upset cause I absolutely despise him. He takes cheap shots and likes to complain a lot to the refs. Not the guy I would want on my team.

I expect Gudas to do pretty well in WSH. Kind of a perfect fit for him, really, getting to play alongside Kempny or Orlov. I think he will end up earning a pretty handsome contract if he stays healthy.

He was always underrated as a Flyer. Came in as a guy most people didn't even think would crack the top-6, put up consistently great play-driving numbers for a guy with limited puck skill, and yeah, last season he was flat-out good.

Hope Niskanen can stabilize his career trajectory. The Flyers can afford the lopsided cap hit for now. Here's hoping this means Ghost/Myers are safe.

We got the better player. I'm not a fan of the deal though I get it. I'm most upset cause I absolutely despise him. He takes cheap shots and likes to complain a lot to the refs. Not the guy I would want on my team.
- Tfaehner

I mean its not like Gudas has a reputation for being a saint

Can you imagine if Hayes doesn't sign with the Flyers and this is the only move Fletcher makes for next season.

Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll trade Hagg for James Reimer.

Interesting trade. Never been the biggest fan of Gudas, but he played his role. Wish there wasn't any salary retained, but its not a problem. Hoping Niskanen provides a solidifying presence on the blueline, could be very helpful for the development of our young dmen.

Some kind of move needs to be made with Amac, no need for his brand of "Veterans Presence" anymore, with Niskanen arriving.

Expecting more moves in the next few weeks, hopefully the Flyers come out on top of all of them.

Can you imagine if Hayes doesn't sign with the Flyers and this is the only move Fletcher makes for next season.

Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll trade Hagg for James Reimer.
- Streit2ThePoint

Yes, this is it, he's done for the year, he'll be on vacation until September.

Not resigning our RFA's.
No UFA signings.
No draft choices made.

Nothing.

I am fine with this trade. It is actually encouraging to see that he is making the little moves to get incrementally better.

One thing I will point out. By my calculations he has now wasted/missed a chance for three draft picks. He should have gotten an additional pick in both the Talbot and Niskanen deals. Each time he did the other team a favor by taking the player. He is also on the hook for the fifth rounder for Hayes. None of those picks are number 1's but they add up over time.

I would've preferred that they didn't retain salary but they got the better player in the deal. Most trades are made because they help both teams. The Flyers werent going to bring back Gudas, especially at that salary. Bottom line, stating that this deal reeks is just hyperbole and not well thought out.
- MJL

I’m glad someone said this. From a pure skill standpoint, good deal for the Flyers. With this said, we lose toughness. We get a bigger salary back. It’s not like Niskanen is an all situations player, he might be able to move up in the line up but for the most part, he’s probably playing the same role as Gudas was.

The fact is the Flyers never wanted to play Gudas with Provorov under Hak or Gordo, and clearly AV wasn't going to come in and change that.

I think trading for Gudas for Niskanen to give Provy a RHD to play with is a much better use of resources than trading a lot more for Trouba or Spurgeon, who would then need to be signed to huge extensions.

Yes, this is it, he's done for the year, he'll be on vacation until September.

Not resigning our RFA's.
No UFA signings.
No draft choices made.

Nothing.
- jmatchett383

I don't consider re-signing RFAs a move.

Of course he's going to draft players don't be (frank)ing stupid.

Unless you believe the Flyers had zero chance of bringing Gudas back at a reasonable (5.5) cap hit for a few more years this deal is a bust. As stated Niskanen may have had the higher potential, he is 3+ years Gudas's senior and already showing signs of decline. Add to this the fact the Flyers essentially helped Washington with salary cap issues and held 1m of Gudas's salary and this deal reeks.
- ICUBB

i admire the way you ignore douchebaggery.

stay strong.