Ryan Wilson: Brooks Orpik or Matt Niskanen? Who should the Penguins keep, Brooks Orpik or Matt Niskanen?

I love Orpik, but at his age and injury prone play of late if the team has to choose go with Niskanen. Orpik's physical play can be replaced and his veteran presence can be covered by Martin, Letang and soon Niskanen himself.

Well I'd also point out the majority of this data has been collected without Paul Martin as his partner. Not supporting Orpik but that is a fact. If Nisk wants 4 mil + I wouldn't resign either of them to be honest.

Big fan of Orpik's but this is a no brainer to me ... Niskanen is the one that is saved.

You didn't provide the option to let both walk.


I like them both. I have a bit more admiration for Orpik beyond the numbers. It just seems to me that even with the cap going up our need isn't as much on the blue line. Niskanen has earned a raise for sure but I feel like it should be somewhere else.

Orpik could return on a short deal and I'd be fine with that because he and Martin are stout. Ultimately if they both left I wouldn't be totally heartbroken. That's just the nature of pro sports.

With Letang, Martin, Despres, Scuderi, Maatta, Bortuzzo and Dumoulin I feel like we will be fine. Plus, Harrington probably isn't far away. Spend the money to upgrade the top 3 lines however you see fit and let the depth you've created take over.

Well I'd also point out the majority of this data has been collected without Paul Martin as his partner. Not supporting Orpik but that is a fact. If Nisk wants 4 mil + I wouldn't resign either of them to be honest.
- dbell646

Niskanen at 4+ isn't a wise investment.

You didn't provide the option to let both walk.


I like them both. I have a bit more admiration for Orpik beyond the numbers. It just seems to me that even with the cap going up our need isn't as much on the blue line. Niskanen has earned a raise for sure but I feel like it should be somewhere else.

Orpik could return on a short deal and I'd be fine with that. Ultimately if they both left I wouldn't be totally heartbroken. That's just the nature of pro sports.

With Letang, Martin, Despres, Scuderi, Maatta, Bortuzzo and Dumoulin I feel like we will be fine. Plus, Harrington probably isn't far away. Spend the money to upgrade the top 3 lines however you see fit and let the depth you've created take over.
- HopintheCordoba

How can you forget Engelland?

I love Orpik, but at his age and injury prone play of late if the team has to choose go with Niskanen. Orpik's physical play can be replaced and his veteran presence can be covered by Martin, Letang and soon Niskanen himself.
- Ben37

Everything depends on terms and $ ... They won't go more then 3 9 for Orpik ... Maybe 4 15 for nisk ... Both will get more on the open market. ... So unless they are resigned by July 1 ... Both will get significantly higher offers from other teams. ... I could see nisk getting 5 25... Orpik will get 4 12 to 15 ... So neither will return in my opinion

How can you forget Engelland?

- Oneonta Penguin

He'd be at forward or shipped out for a 7th at the draft.

Niskanen at 4+ isn't a wise investment.
- Oneonta Penguin

Agree 100% but someone will give him more than that. We have plenty of guys ready to go. No to Orpik and Nisk

He'd be at forward or shipped out for a 7th at the draft.
- HopintheCordoba

Burkey will probably take him

Burkey will probably take him
- FlamesFan12

At least he's a versatile guy. I mean he's not a terrible 7th defenseman or 4th line forward and he's cheap.

At least he's a versatile guy. I mean he's not a terrible 7th defenseman or 4th line forward and he's cheap.
- HopintheCordoba

Agreed! I think he can at least play a regular shift, while adding some toughness. I think the pens should keep him though.

Agreed! I think he can at least play a regular shift, while adding some toughness. I think the pens should keep him though.
- FlamesFan12

Knowing them...assuming Bylsma is still around...they will.

Curious, why did you pick those forwards to show? Is that all the site had or did it make a stronger case? Either way I think Orpik is about done here. Everyone seems to have done an about-face when it comes to Niskanen after just 50 games.

Curious, why did you pick those forwards to show? Is that all the site had or did it make a stronger case? Either way I think Orpik is about done here. Everyone seems to have done an about-face when it comes to Niskanen after just 50 games.
- kgrpitt

Because if he used #17, #15 and #27 we would want to trade all our defensmen for Blockbuster Video gift cards.

Saw an interesting stat a day or so ago. Only 5 goalies (with at least 20 starts) have a works EVSV% than Fleury. Those goalies being Mazanec, Pavelec, Brodeur, Berra, and Dubnyk. Thought that was interesting.

Because if he used #17, #15 and #27 we would want to trade all our defensmen for Blockbuster Video gift cards.
- canadianpenfan

I heard they are making a comeback in Canada. You should look into it.

I would definitely lean towards Niskanen, but what each of them are willing to sign for is going to have a large impact on the decision. Orpik has been here his whole career and has been a great player the whole time up until just recently, so the team may show favoritism towards him, but Niskanen has been remarkable this year, and obviously Shero didn't want to trade him going into the season even though we were struggling for Cap Space. It will be interesting for sure. Hate to watch either one of them leave in free agency and get nothing for them, but that's the nature of the beast.

I heard they are making a comeback in Canada. You should look into it.
- kgrpitt

I took a 2nd mortgage on my house and my company and used the money to buy all the stock i could get my hands on.

With Letang, Martin, Despres, Scuderi, Maatta, Bortuzzo and Dumoulin I feel like we will be fine. Plus, Harrington probably isn't far away. Spend the money to upgrade the top 3 lines however you see fit and let the depth you've created take over.
- HopintheCordoba

I honestly think Despres will be traded this year at the deadline. I think Shero realizes that he isn't going to play an integral role for the Pens and he will move him while he still has good value.

I took a 2nd mortgage on my house and my company and used the money to buy all the stock i could get my hands on.
- canadianpenfan

Nice, I'm telling you its a good investment. Similar situation to when I bought alot of Circuit City stocks!

I honestly think Despres will be traded this year at the deadline. I think Shero realizes that he isn't going to play an integral role for the Pens and he will move him while he still has good value.
- PensFan1103

Well, if we allow Orpik and/or Nisk walk this summer he will be playing more minutes.

If you think Niskanen is pricing himself out of Pittsburgh, you move him at the deadline. I don't see why he wouldn't fetch a 1st rounder, considering the d-man rental list is pretty short. If Shero can get a 1st for him, the Penguins 1st comes into play for a rental winger, be it a top 6 guy to play with Sid, or a bottom 6 guy to add grit.