Lightning gets Niskala

How's that for service? The Lightning announced it traded for Flyers minor league defenseman Janne Niskala, and sent the Flyers a sixth-round 2009 draft pick.

Niskala, 26, was acquired by Philadelphia on June 25 from Nashville for forward Triston Grant and a seventh-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot, 200-pound native of Vasteras, Sweden recorded 19 goals, 44 points and 81 penalty minutes in 80 regular season games for the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, this past season. He led Admirals defensemen in goals and was second among AHL defensemen). Though born in Sweden, Niskala is a Finnish citizen and was the leading scorer among defensemen for bronze medal-winning Team Finland at the 2008 IIHF World Championships.

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), EV Zug (Switzerland) and Farjestad (Sweden). He registered 72 goals and 92 assists for 164 points and 369 penalty minutes in 296 regular season games during his final six seasons in Europe (2001-02 through 2006-07). He has led his teams’ defensemen in goals in each of his past five seasons. He led Swedish Elite League defensemen in points with 49 on 19 goals and 30 assists in 2006-07. Niskala was drafted by Nashville in the fifth round (147th overall) in 2004.

Comments

[Don in St. Pete]

Herm, Interesting why they went there then. I read the same thing on a Flyers bog that they were duped by the Preds and that he's actually signed a KHL deal. This stuff must have been common knowledge with Lawton and crew by now. so maybe they are going to give him an entry level NHL deal. We may have a lot of assets to deal for pics or maybe a solid defensive defenseman before all is said and done. Don't leave your seat is all I can say if tonight is anything like last night.

[HermanZeGerman]

Word on the street is that the Flyers shipped him out because he refused to sign a two-way deal. He wants NHL ice-time only. So, before everyone jumps on the "Depth Signing" bandwagon, ask yourselves why the Flyers would trade him immediately after acquiring him if it was a depth signing on their part?

[Elwood P. Dowd]

Ah nice, a potentially reliable Squarehead defenseman is now within our "system". (I've got to like the pedigree, at least) What precisely is our "system", and, I think I missed the memo, who's coaching in Norfolk?

Are they going to make these kids NHL-ready as they do in other "systems" (Loved the discipline of Picard, the enthusiasm of Lessard, etc.)?

[Geografer]

Noltflasher - the point of if it is minor league or not is not my point. My point is why keep sacrificing the future (what is this 3 draft picks now) for the now when we have no minor league depth. Yes this could provide it - assuming he doesn't go play out his Russian contract he signed. Then no minor leaguer and no draft pick either. There is no depth in Norfolk and it is desperately needed but by folks we know will be there when they are needed not off playing for money in Russia.

[Mike13]

Building depth is a good thing. Suggesting that this kid is a possible replacement for Boyle is utter nonsense.

[Boltflasher]

You people are overanalyzing each move...this is a pure minor league move...lets move on people...

[Geografer]

Am I the only one concerned that back in June this kid signed with Atlant Mytischy in Russia? It doesn't mean he is for sure going but you have to believe the money there is better than the $70K he would make in Norfolk.

[Don in St. Pete]

Thanks DC! Great move for depth and help at Norfolk if he can't make the Lightning.

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app?articleid=367233&page=NewsPage&service=page