[Rex]

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have acquired 6’0”, 200-pound defenseman Janne Niskala (YAH-nee NIHS-kah-lah) from the Nashville Predators in exchange for forward Triston Grant and their seventh round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren.

Niskala, 26, recorded 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points and 81 penalty minutes in 80 regular season games for the Predators’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, this past season. He led Admirals defensemen in goals (19, second among AHL defensemen) and points (44, tied for 11th among AHL defensemen). He was also a member of the bronze medal-winning Team Finland at the 2008 IIHF World Championships in Halifax and Quebec City.

Prior to joining the Predators organization for the 2007-08 season, Niskala played parts of the previous seven seasons with teams in top European Leagues, including Lukko Rauma (Finland - 2000-01 through 2004-05), EV Zug (Swiss - 2005-06) and Farjestad (Sweden - 2006-07). He registered 72 goals and 92 assists for 164 points and 369 penalty minutes in 296 regular season games over his final six seasons in Europe (2001-02 through 2006-07). He has led his team’s defensemen in goals in each of his last five seasons. He led Swedish Elite League defensemen in points with 49 (19G,30A) during the 2006-07 season.

Niskala was drafted by Nashville in the fifth round (147th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

http://flyers.nhl.com/team/app/?serv...ticleid=366860

[BLT10]

Good move, could be useful as a call-up.

[Blindside]

Sounds like a decent offensive blueliner for the Phantoms. With the distinct possibility of losing Smith and Modry (thank god) to free agency, I'd expect Niskala to possibly even challenge for the 6th or 7th defense spot in the pre-season.

One thing is clear though, whatever his role is in the organization, it's a clear upgrade to Triston Grant and a 7th round pick in a relatively shallow draft.

Edit: Here's his scouting report from his 2004 draft year:

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/article...the2004_draft/

Niskala has represented Lukko throughout his career in Finland. His road to become an SM-Liiga regular was bumpy as he couldn't lay a solid foundation for his game due to being a defensive liability. In 2000 he moved temporarily to England for some fresh air with the Manchester Storm. Once back in Finland, he had more maturity to help him develop. Despite promising numbers in 2001-02, he couldn't get it all together until 2003-04. Suddenly he was a valuable asset even in the defensive zone. Offensively the speedy defenseman took the largest step as his contribution elevated the team's power play to a higher level. He never hesitated to draw and fire a slapshot, and that shows in the statistics. The bottom line, he developed into a top ten defenseman in SM-Liiga.

Niskala's athletism is extremely impressive. He has the strength to wrestle with bigger opponents in explosive pulses and the stamina to keep it up throughout the game with lots of ice time. The necessary tools of an offensive defenseman are there, puck poise and impeccable skating. With a killer slapshot and a powerful wrist shot, he boasts more firepower than any other defenseman in the league. Despite his vision and hockey sense not being anything special, he still gets close to an ideal power play quarterback. However, you can only become so solid in one year. Niskala's defensive and neutral zone play is still questionable, especially when planning a jump onto a higher level. At the age of 22 there is still time for him to mature. He doesn't have to be considered an immediate addition if and when drafted. Niskala can eventually reach his peak as the artillery piece of a second power play unit.

[Drew]

I misread quickly after reading, thought it said Janne Niinimaa.

Depth move, that's all this is. He really can handle the puck well and has a nasty shot from the point from what I saw. And he can also drop 'em.

You Tube

[FlyersGirl_929]

Wow! This looks like a good trade. Tristan Grant is a good fighter and that's about it! As far as the 7th rounder, well....who cares!! Go Flyers Go!!!
A ;p

[flyersfan4life]

Sounds like a solid player. Speed on the ice, not afraid to take shots, and a fighter... he'll make a great addition!

[MikeyB99]

Yay

[Chris]

Grant had nowhere to go with us.

Cote and Klotz are our current and future enforcers, he was buried. Good move for him, and a good move for the Phantoms.

I see Niskala getting a few games with the big club this year.

[siflyguy]

So that's a Janne Niskala. Could be a good move. Is Nashville becoming our farm team?

[Ryan20]

Originally Posted by siflyguy

So that's a Janne Niskala. Could be a good move. Is Nashville becoming our farm team?

Yep. We should also change our team name to Nashville Predators North.

[Rex]

God, we trade with the Predators more then any other team.

The Flyers traded their 7th round pick this year for Anaheims 09 7th, so our 7th was movable.

[flyers90]

it feels like we are raping the predators every single time we make a trade with them XD

[Skeeter]

He has now been sent on to Tampa Bay for a 6th round draft pick.

[ScriptedRain]

Originally Posted by Skeeter

He has now been sent on to Tampa Bay for a 6th round draft pick.

That was fast.

[Pope Pogo II]

Getting Niskala was the trade of the year...

[dkcstealth]

This trade Guarantees us the cup

[howard222]

I agree, a good trade for depth with not much given up. A good off season continues!



Howard
www.hockeyplayerforlife.com
866.520.4286

M new book "Hockey Player For Life" w/Foreword by Keith Primeau is available at amazon at this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Hockey-Player-...4099237&sr=1-1