What's the latest on Niskanen?

[FanIn80]

Has anyone heard anything lately? Are they trying to get something done or is headed to market?

This is the one guy I'd love the Flames to get.

[sureLoss]

Headed to ufa. Rumored starting price to get a seat at the negotiating table is 5.7$/yr

[FanIn80]

Nice, hopefully we're in one of those seats. I could live with 6m for 2y just to make sure he can play without Letang.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Nice, hopefully we're in one of those seats. I could live with 6m for 2y just to make sure he can play without Letang.

I'm guessing he'll want a lot longer term than that.

[sureLoss]

Sorry should have been more clear starting price is $5.7x7 years or $40 million over 7 years

[MisterJoji]

Man did Nieuwendyk ever screw up that one. Neal for Goligoski with Niskanen thrown in so Pitt still had a body as a blue line replacement. Now, I think the majority of GM's would take Niskanen over Goligoski straight up.

[FanIn80]

Whoa. Well that escalated quickly.

I'd still really like to have him here, but seven years... I think I need to see how he looks on a PP without Crosby, Malkin, Neal and Letang first.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Man did Nieuwendyk ever screw up that one. Neal for Goligoski with Niskanen thrown in so Pitt still had a body as a blue line replacement. Now, I think the majority of GM's would take Niskanen over Goligoski straight up.

Although, it's interesting to note that Goligoski is still with the Stars and neither Neal or Niskanen are with the Pens.

[JJ1532]

Ha, er no. Any chance we can find a decent D-man who will ask for a mid range salary at 1-2 years?

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Man did Nieuwendyk ever screw up that one. Neal for Goligoski with Niskanen thrown in so Pitt still had a body as a blue line replacement. Now, I think the majority of GM's would take Niskanen over Goligoski straight up.

To me that would be a major red flag when it comes to giving that kind of money to Niskanen. Goligoski looked like a great defenseman when he was at Pittsburgh and was found out when he left that organisation (albeit, he did have a decent season last year). Who is to say Niskanen didn't look so good simply because he played on a very good team?

I kinda hope we don't get stung on this one.

[darthma]

He's 27 right now, so he'll be looking for 'the' contract. A seven year contract would bring him to 34/35 yrs old. Ugh... ~6 mill for a 34 year old. NHL salaries have increased so much.

And he's played one full year (81 games) at 46 pts. Before that, he didn't put nearly as many points up. That hardly warrants a 7 year contract.

I'm sick of UFAs... ugh...

I really hope the Flames start drafting AND developing their players well.

[Split98]

I know I'm practically standing on a landmine asking this but... what's wrong with $5.7 for 7 years?

As long as this isn't paired with a NTC, I'm 100% ok with it. Personally, I don't see Calgary needing the cap room for quite a few years and if he plays like has has in Pittsburgh, I will happily to have him for all 7 years... and re-sign him at 34.

[Enoch Root]

for what it would cost - no thank you!

[kyuss275]

He is going to want one hell of a high term and money contract to come to the flames. Don't think it's worth it. Flames should take a run at Orpik. Granted with the ufa D men available being pretty bad, he will probably cost a lot also.

Flames are probably hoping for a trade if they want a 2nd pairing dman. I think they will end up signing a Butler 2.0 bottom dman.

[OzSome]

Niskanen will be overpaid after July 1st that's for sure. I hope the Flames won't go after him for anything over $4M or $4.5M.