Photo Credit: Zack Hill
There were some players on the Flyers roster that had a lot to prove this season, and Matt Niskanen was one of them. He knows all too well that he had to be better this year, as Niskanen is a vocal leader in the locker room. Niskanen knew if he did not improve from last year, then the Flyers could miss the playoffs for the second straight year. Does it all fall on Niskanen? Well, no, but he is a class act, to which he would say it would.
Niskanen was dealt to the Flyers in exchange for Radko Gudas this past off-season. It was a cap saving move by the Washington Capitals to part ways with Niskanen. For the Flyers, it signaled a change in a big way on the backend this season. Gone are Gudas and Andrew MacDonald. Enter Justin Braun and Matt Niskanen. One thing that became apparent on the backend is that Chuck Fletcher wanted stability, and the ability to make it difficult for opponents to enter the Flyers zone. Moreover, Fletcher wanted voices, and those that can properly teach the young Flyers blue line to have successful hockey careers. Niskanen definitely provides all the above, especially for Ivan Provorov, “It’s part of my duty, an older player as a Veteran to help the young, but let’s be clear Provy is the talent, and I’m the support piece,” Niskanen Said.
In 2017-18, Niskanen’s Corsi-For percentage was 49.84%, his expected goals was 52.90%, and high danger chances was 52.20%. This past season, Niskanen’s Corsi-For dropped down to 36.99% (-12.85% from prior year), his expected goals was 44.44% (-7.46% from prior year), and high-danger chances was 45.65% (-6.55% from prior year).
Simply put, Niskanen had a down year. A down year by his standards. However, Niskanen remained fantastic in the locker room, according to his teammates. Moreover, his ability to take away space on the ice is something that the Flyers could benefit from in a big way. Especially, with how young the Flyers blueline currently is with the average age being 26.17-years-old.
Offensively, Niskanen’s numbers were similar from the Stanley Cup run in 2017-18. He tallied 8 goals last season, which was a one goal improvement from last year. In addition, his 17 assists were 5 less than the previous year. Keep in mind that Niskanen missed some time with injuries in 2017-18, as well, so his numbers could have been higher if were 100% healthy the entire year.
“Nisky” is proving to be everything Chuck Fletcher brought him here for. Fletcher stated at the exit interviews, “You want to improve your talent level. We will actively look to do so. To me, that’s why the coaching situation is important. It’s about making sure going into camp next year, we have to change some details, change our mindset, and have a good start. A lot of reasons we fall behind in games is because we give up easy goals. It’s not about effort. It’s about thinking, about working smart and playing better.”
Niskanen has done that exactly that and then some this season. He makes it tough for opponents to enter the zone, and has quick exits out of the defensive zone. This leads to a quick transition offensively for the orange and black. Niskanen has averaged 21:49 per night in ice time, has registered 5 goals and 14 apples, tallied 3 PP goals and 6 PP assists, 58 blocks to go along with 88 hits, and has registered 11 takeaways and 46 giveaways. Simply put, he has been steady on the backend, as Niskanen has played well in any situation the coaching staff asks of him, and again he mentioned Provorov, “I’m trying to be a good partner for him,” Niskanen said, “He’s got high end skill. I want him to flourish.”
Overall, Niskanen has shined for Fletcher and the Flyers young blueline. He appears to be the glue that holds it together, as teams always have that one player to do just that. Moreover, Niskanen is also an instrumental voice that holds the defense together in a big way for the orange and black in the locker room. He’s honest, as he told me one game before the break that he was “Welcoming the break.” Niskanen really has been everything the Flyers could have hoped for.
