Would you rather I make a list of all the good Dmen over the age of 34? Not sure how its relevant. A players skill is not relevant to how long their body can hold up. Niskanen is not an overly physical Dmen. There is no reason to expect him to decline.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I agree with you that Niskanen should remain a good player for at least another few years. However a players skill is absolutely relevant to how long their bodies can hold up. Those skills erode over time as a player gets older. Niskanen ranked in the top 20 in the NHL in total hits among defenseman. He has a physical edge to his game.

All he needs to be is a serviceable vet that can play in the top 6 while these kids mature a bit. I don't think he's going to be much of an issue.

Sure as hell an upgrade over AMac.
- hereticpride

Trading for a 5.75 cap hit and retaining part of Gudas salary doesn't say being a serviceable top 6 dman is what they're expecting. If he's on the bottom pair that will be disappointing and a waste of cap space.

I would expect top pair first year and then hopefully second pair by next year with someone like Myers or Sanheim playing with Provy on top pair

Im reading plenty of articles suggesting gudas has more to give or he could be primed for a larger role based on advanced numbers. They are all wrong. I guarantee Washington has no other plans for him than 17 minutes on the 3rd pairing. Gudas is a very effective player in his role but we all know he’s a player that needs to stay in that role.

Aren’t fancy stats fun?

Trading for a 5.75 cap hit and retaining part of Gudas salary doesn't say being a serviceable top 6 dman is what they're expecting. If he's on the bottom pair that will be disappointing and a waste of cap space.

I would expect top pair first year and then hopefully second pair by next year with someone like Myers or Sanheim playing with Provy on top pair
- FlyerFan16

That’s exactly what we’ll need out of him. He supposedly had a wrist injury in the early part of 17-18 season and has been on the decline since. Here’s to hoping he can heal up this summer

I agree with you that Niskanen should remain a good player for at least another few years. However a players skill is absolutely relevant to how long their bodies can hold up. Those skills erode over time as a player gets older. Niskanen ranked in the top 20 in the NHL in total hits among defenseman. He has a physical edge to his game.
- MJL

Skills dont erode of time the body does. As a player you keep you reaction time, decision making, puck movement, stick handling ect. All these things players keep. There are many people playing hockey outside professional leagues well past 60 years old and they are still skilled. It is the body that doesnt physically hold up.

Hagelin signs with Caps 4 years 11M
- arichardson22

Seems a fair price for Haglin. Always liked him. Fast as hell. Needs better hands though. Good third line winger. PKer and good fore and back checking.

Seems a fair price for Haglin. Always liked him. Fast as hell. Needs better hands though. Good third line winger. PKer and good fore and back checking.
- jaws1955

Take that contract, white out hagelin, write in laughton, give it to him to sign.

Take that contract, white out hagelin, write in laughton, give it to him to sign.
- Just5

Im reading plenty of articles suggesting gudas has more to give or he could be primed for a larger role based on advanced numbers. They are all wrong. I guarantee Washington has no other plans for him than 17 minutes on the 3rd pairing. Gudas is a very effective player in his role but we all know he’s a player that needs to stay in that role.

Aren’t fancy stats fun?
- Just5

The only larger role he ever had was taking 100+ penalty minutes gooning it up in Tampa. I don't care what the numbers say, guy isn't developing much further at this point in his career.

Trading for a 5.75 cap hit and retaining part of Gudas salary doesn't say being a serviceable top 6 dman is what they're expecting. If he's on the bottom pair that will be disappointing and a waste of cap space.

I would expect top pair first year and then hopefully second pair by next year with someone like Myers or Sanheim playing with Provy on top pair
- FlyerFan16

Well yeah, you want him to be a steady top four presence but if he's a solid 3rd liner at the end of the day so be it. Better than AMac and a neutered Gudas.

The only larger role he ever had was taking 100+ penalty minutes gooning it up in Tampa. I don't care what the numbers say, guy isn't developing much further at this point in his career.
- hereticpride

Two words: Offensive defenseman

Where is the sad LeClair Pens gif when you need it?
- hereticpride

Look up those two Penguin LeClair seasons.

Would you rather I make a list of all the good Dmen over the age of 34? Not sure how its relevant. A players skill is not relevant to how long their body can hold up. Niskanen is not an overly physical Dmen. There is no reason to expect him to decline.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Actually, Yes if you’re gonna start with future hall of fame players.

Skills dont erode of time the body does. As a player you keep you reaction time, decision making, puck movement, stick handling ect. All these things players keep. There are many people playing hockey outside professional leagues well past 60 years old and they are still skilled. It is the body that doesnt physically hold up.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

How is bringing up 60 year old men who play other 60 year old men Recreationally making a your point? We’re not talking about beer leagues, the topic is directly about professional hockey and the pro players who play in it. The capitals have a Stanley Cup winning defense. Niskanen wont be coming to that in Philadelphia.

Would you rather I make a list of all the good Dmen over the age of 34? Not sure how its relevant. A players skill is not relevant to how long their body can hold up. Niskanen is not an overly physical Dmen. There is no reason to expect him to decline.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Niskanen was still playing top 2 minutes at his age. He isnt a power forward and falling apart at 31. The guy can move and had a bad Injury last year and still produced. I expect him to be motivated with the new team and he already knows he is a mentor to these young guys. He is going to do GREAT here.
Wasnt someone calling for Duncan Keith earlier this year?
I'll take niskanen over Keith all day...no offense

Niskanen was still playing top 2 minutes at his age. He isnt a power forward and falling apart at 31. The guy can move and had a bad Injury last year and still produced. I expect him to be motivated with the new team and he already knows he is a mentor to these young guys. He is going to do GREAT here.
Wasnt someone calling for Duncan Keith earlier this year?
I'll take niskanen over Keith all day...no offense
- sILKAsSINASALO

When can we start calling him nisky?

When can we start calling him nisky?
- Just5

From henceforth let him be known as Nisky.

When can we start calling him nisky?
- Just5

Pierre's Matty Niskanen coming in hot.

Look up those two Penguin LeClair seasons.
- SuperSchennBros

Nisky a former pen and cap. Yuck

When can we start calling him nisky?
- Just5

Absolutely! I insist!

Skills dont erode of time the body does. As a player you keep you reaction time, decision making, puck movement, stick handling ect. All these things players keep. There are many people playing hockey outside professional leagues well past 60 years old and they are still skilled. It is the body that doesnt physically hold up.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

That's simply not true. Simple human element as someone gets older. Skills erode over time. So are you seriously saying that 60 year olds are just as skilled as when they're younger. Really an absurd comment that skill level doesn't erode over time.

That's simply not true. Simple human element as someone gets older. Skills erode over time. So are you seriously saying that 60 year olds are just as skilled as when they're younger. Really an absurd comment that skill level doesn't erode over time.
- MJL

It’s called the mind can but the body can’t, but I didn’t expect you to know that

It’s called the mind can but the body can’t, but I didn’t expect you to know that
- 2Real

I'm having a hard time putting into words how dumb this comment is

Well, I found yesterday to be anti-climatic after the end of the week. I'm interested to see what sort of shenanigans Fletch will get up to this week. I know there are two weeks til we can shop UFAs but based on nothing but a feeling and watching Fletcher move, I think we have a new 2C, here by this time next week. I think he is not looking to go UFA but rather go trade route. I think it may hurt a bit this time. Nothing he has done so far REALLY hurt. Was hard to lose Simmer but not sure what he has left. Plus, he had an offer from the Flyers which he turned down. I think it takes one or two players, picks or prospects we like to get the 2C.

Well, I found yesterday to be anti-climatic after the end of the week. I'm interested to see what sort of shenanigans Fletch will get up to this week. I know there are two weeks til we can shop UFAs but based on nothing but a feeling and watching Fletcher move, I think we have a new 2C, here by this time next week. I think he is not looking to go UFA but rather go trade route. I think it may hurt a bit this time. Nothing he has done so far REALLY hurt. Was hard to lose Simmer but not sure what he has left. Plus, he had an offer from the Flyers which he turned down. I think it takes one or two players, picks or prospects we like to get the 2C.
- jaws1955

The only thing that he's done that I didn't like was trading Stolarz for a player that we didn't play and don't seem eager to re-sign.