"He certainly won’t be an easy player to replace, but today should be about thanking Matt for what he did, for what he contributed to our group and we’re very grateful for the time that we had with him. PHILADELPHIA, Penn. He has achieved a lot. Niskanen, 33, had one year left on his contract at $5.75 million against the salary cap, which will come off the Flyers' books as a result of his retirement. Matt Niskanen shocked the hockey world on Monday when he decided to retire at age 33.According to his agent, Nisky was wary of the possibility of playing in a bubble (or a bubble hybrid system) next season and opted out of the final year of his contract to spend more time with his family. His winning pedigree rubbed off on teammates and Fletcher lauded Niskanen's "tremendous presence. But replacing a player the caliber of Niskanen is not a simple, quick-decision task and could require a tough decision. Niskanen has one year remaining on his current contract and was due $5.75MM this season. Matt Niskanen, the team's steady, veteran, all-situation defenseman who was instrumental in the club's 2019-20 turnaround season, has retired. In a stunner that already has had an effect on the Flyers' offseason moves, defenseman Matt Niskanen has decided to end a quality 13-year career. Following 2020-21, Niskanen would have been a free agent in his mid-30s. "Obviously been working the phones for weeks, I’ve spoken to every team in the league and some several times. The veteran defenseman averaged 21:54 per game for the Flyers and played an important role as the defense partner for 23-year-old standout Ivan Provorov, who had his best offensive season on average in the NHL playing with Niskanen. Veteran defenseman Matt Niskanen decides to retire after 13 NHL seasons. In an interview with USA Hockey Magazine in 2014, Matt Niskanen was asked about his favorite quote. Incidentally, the two players share an agent. With a year remaining on his contract, Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen has decided to retire from the NHL at age 33. about 184 days ago | Greg Wyshynski Flyers' Vigneault backs Niskanen before hearing He’s a consummate professional.” Niskanen, who tallied 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists) in 68 games with the Flyers in 2019-20, would forfeit the $5.75 million he is owed in 2020-21 if he retires. The desire and need to bring back the 33-year-old Braun certainly spiked once the Flyers found out Niskanen's decision to retire. This will most certainly switch up the Flyers offseason plans, Niskanen was a mentor for Provorov and a delightful veteran presence for… Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen has decided to retire from the NHL. He loved the team, really believes in the group.". By … Former Bulldog Matt Niskanen retires after 13 seasons in NHL Former Virginia/Mountain Iron-Buhl standout won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018. "Thank you to the Flyers organization for the opportunity to play in Philly last season," Niskanen said in a statement released by the team. I know it’s been a difficult year with the pandemic and coming back to play in a bubble and there’s a lot of uncertainty about next year. "There are different ways to attack this. Matt Niskanen retires after long, illustrious NHL career . 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Matt Niskanen has decided to retire after a 13-season NHL career. Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen has decided to retire from the NHL. It is not yet determined when exactly the 2020-21 season will begin. Niskanen has one year remaining on his current contract and was due $5.75MM this season. The Flyers could be less open to listening on trade offers for Shayne Gostisbehere. "He’s a quiet leader for us and when he speaks, people listen.". I think he felt this was the time to do so. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. "We have some young defensemen that continue to grow and will continue to assume bigger roles as they develop. A short time later, he announced the Flyers had re-signed veteran defenseman Justin Braun to a two-year contract that carries an annual $1.8 million cap hit. The Flyers have announced that they have re-signed Right-Handed Defenseman Justin Braun to a new two-year $3.6 million deal, worth $1.8 million per year. The 33-year-old defenceman had one year remaining on his current contract with the team. Defenseman Matt Niskanen has informed the team that he has decided to retire. ", Niskanen retires as Flyers' offseason changes considerably, acquired the Stanley Cup champion from the Capitals, the Flyers re-signed defenseman Justin Braun to a two-year, $3.6 million deal, listening on trade offers for Shayne Gostisbehere. We have some other players pushing. Flyers veteran defenseman Matt Niskanen expected to retire Gavin Lee, Pro Hockey Rumors 10/5/2020 Tennessee asks top U.S. court to reinstate two-day waiting period for abortions First-pairing defenseman Matt Niskanen has decided to retire a year early and give up his $5.75 million dollars in salary that was owed to him next season. "We have the ability to start the season as we are and wait for opportunities or obviously we can pursue opportunities now. "It caught me off-guard, absolutely," Fletcher said Monday in a video interview. General manager Chuck Fletcher confirmed the retirement on Monday afternoon. Niskanen, a smart, puck-moving blueliner with 140 games of playoff experience, improved the Flyers at 5-on-5, on the power play and the penalty kill. I’m certainly comfortable with our group, with our group of seven [defensemen] that we have right now, that’s returning from last year. This was his decision.". With the Flyers dealing with a bombshell with Matt Niskanen retiring. In 2019-20, after the Flyers acquired the Stanley Cup champion from the Capitals, Niskanen helped make up the Flyers' do-it-all, minutes-eating first defensive pair alongside Ivan Provorov. Play. With that, there's also uncertainty of how the season could unfold and when it could end. 1 pairing in 2019-20. Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Matt Niskanen is retiring from professional hockey, per a report from Elliotte Friedman. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, former Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen has informed the Philadelphia Flyers that he will retire.. Let’s update this: Matt Niskanen has informed PHI that he will retire. In a stunning turn of events, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen has decided to retire from the NHL. Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher wasted no time ensuring up the back end with Niskanen’s departure. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports that Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen is seriously considering hanging up his skates: Hearing via sources that Matt Niskanen is learning towards retirement. ", Matt Niskanen's statistical ranks among Flyers in 2019-20:• TOI per game — 2nd (21:54)• Shorthanded TOI per game — 2nd (2:38)• Blocked shots — tied for 2nd (84)• Hits — 3rd (124)• Plus-minus — 3rd (plus-15)• Assists — 5th (25)• Power play TOI — 7th (139:26), "He’s invaluable," Scott Laughton said in November. NHL execs rank the top goalies, Who are the NHL's top 10 wingers? "He’s the consummate professional and teammate," the Flyers' GM said. It’s difficult I think for some players, so we talked about it ... there’s a lot of emotion, there’s always a lot of emotion at the end of a season, we lost a tough Game 7 the night before. This announcement has really caught the Flyers by surprise. In my opinion, Matt Niskanen did as much as anyone to change the mindset of our team. The 33-year-old former defenseman, understandably, was extremely concerned with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and that led to his retirement from the league. Flyers defenseman Matt Niskanen retires, Justin Braun is quickly re-signed. Execs, coaches, players make their picks, Fantasy hockey: Forecaster for the week of April 12-18. The one he gave was attributed to legendary basketball coach Pat Riley and it says a lot about his decision to abruptly and shockingly retire. The answer is the uncertainty of COVID-19 caused Niskanen’s sudden retirement, says his agent according to Sports Illustrated. The 33-year-old defenseman played this season for the Philadelphia Flyers after they acquired him in … Remaining Ad Time Ad - 00:00. The Minnesota native won a Stanley Cup two years ago and spent this past … "I'd also like to thank the fans for their support and lastly, I wish my teammates the best of luck.". The news is significant to the Flyers' offseason decisions and 2020-21 chances. Niskanen, 33, has another year left on his contract at $5.75 million. "Good luck with that," Fletcher said with a laugh when asked about finding a Niskanen replacement outside of the organization. Early Monday morning, reports poured in that 33 year-old veteran defenseman Matt Niskanen is retiring after a brilliant 13-year NHL career. General manager Chuck Fletcher said Niskanen called him the day after the Flyers' second-round Game 7 loss to the Islanders on Sept. 5 as the defenseman was driving home to Minnesota. Uncertainty Surrounding COVID-19 Led to Matt Niskanen's Retirement. Photo: @Capitals. He had 33 points in 68 games for the Flyers last season. October 05, 2020 Flyers re-sign defenseman Justin Braun after Matt Niskanen retires "Thank you to the Flyers organization for the opportunity to play in Philly last season," Niskanen said, via Flyers senior director of public relations and communications Zack Hill. That number will be removed entirely from the Flyers books, meaning they have some extra cap space to spend this offseason. "I think it’s tough when you have a young family, to be away and different circumstances, the game became a little bit different than what it was. I think I’m pretty aware of what’s available and we’ll just have to make some decisions from here. Elliotte Friedman was the first to report the news. Niskanen, 33, had one year left on his contract at $5.75 million against the salary cap, which will come off the Flyers' books as a result of his retirement. Fantasy hockey drops: Is it safe to drop Carter Hart or Taylor Hall? Not long after the Niskanen news surfaced, the Flyers re-signed defenseman Justin Braun to a two-year, $3.6 million deal. "I think being away from your family, a couple months in the bubble, impacted a lot of veteran players — not just ours but around the league," Fletcher said. According to TSN‘s own Pierre LeBrun, Flyers top-pairing defensemen Matt Niskanen appears to be leaning towards retirement. However, they could also try the trade route to add to their blue line. With Niskanen's decision, his $5.75 million cap hit comes off the Flyers' books, giving the club some unexpected flexibility going into NHL free agency, which opens Friday at noon ET. 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