Capitals Trade Defenseman Matt Niskanen to the Flyers
By Jared Kish
The Philadelphia Flyers have made a move to help bolster their roster, specifically their defense. Early Friday, the Washington Capitals sent defenseman Matt Niskanen to Philadelphia in exchange for Radko Gudas.
The move will decrease the total cap room for the Flyers by $2.4 million. Philadelphia will acquire Niskanen's $5.75 million cap hit which will last through the 2020-21 season.
BREAKING: The #Flyers have acquired defenseman Matt Niskanen from the Capitals in exchange for defenseman Radko Gudas.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 14, 2019
Niskanen, who recently just completed his 12th season in the NHL, is a Stanley Cup champion. He helped lead the way for Washington in the 2017-18 season, where the Capitals won their first Stanley Cup.
The defenseman recored eight goals and posted 17 assists in 80 regular season games for the Capitals last campaign.
#Caps Swap Blueliners with Philly - Washington sends Matt Niskanen to Flyers for Radko Gudas, clearing cap space in the process: https://t.co/lQzqpdDktD
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) June 14, 2019
Niskanen is known as a more selective shooter and handles the puck well. Overall, Niskanen is expected to be a better goal scorer over Gudas.
The move brings in a veteran to help out a young up-and-coming Flyers defensive unit. Niskanen will be entering his age 33 season, and is expected to be on the 2nd or 3rd line for the Flyers.