Niskanen and Orpik
- Thread starter TychoFan
- Start date
Niskanen - love.
Orpik - Meh.
I like what Orpik brings from a physical standpoint, and he's played a number of really solid games, but he is what he is. Will make the odd boneheaded play that puts him way out of position and hangs his partner out to dry. That contract will inevitably suck in a few years. He gets a lot of love from the other players as far as his personality & what he brings to the locker room.
Niskanen is exactly the kind of player we needed to shore up the defense. Reminds me of Alzner with his stick-work, if the Caps end up letting Green walk I think we'll get to see more of his offensive game. Just a steady player you can almost always count on to be in position and make the right play. Has even laid a couple big hits.
Orpik - Meh.
I like what Orpik brings from a physical standpoint, and he's played a number of really solid games, but he is what he is. Will make the odd boneheaded play that puts him way out of position and hangs his partner out to dry. That contract will inevitably suck in a few years. He gets a lot of love from the other players as far as his personality & what he brings to the locker room.
Niskanen is exactly the kind of player we needed to shore up the defense. Reminds me of Alzner with his stick-work, if the Caps end up letting Green walk I think we'll get to see more of his offensive game. Just a steady player you can almost always count on to be in position and make the right play. Has even laid a couple big hits.
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Both great additions. Contracts are what they are. If we brought in two defensemen of their caliber five years ago we'd have a Cup or two by now.
BrooklynCapsFan
No more choking!
The results so far are better than either player but also better than their contracts. So, even if it's just temporary magic, I don't care.
Niskanen is a pretty average 2nd pair dman. Orpik is a pretty average stay at home dman. Sprinkle them into this team with Trotz/Rierdan and we've got IMO one of the best defensive units in the league.
I don't know if I'd say that they're worth their contracts, but I'd certainly say that it has been worth signing them. For now at least.
If Orpik has anything to do with Carlson turning into a top 30 (or maybe much better) dman, then that's added bonus.
Niskanen is a pretty average 2nd pair dman. Orpik is a pretty average stay at home dman. Sprinkle them into this team with Trotz/Rierdan and we've got IMO one of the best defensive units in the league.
I don't know if I'd say that they're worth their contracts, but I'd certainly say that it has been worth signing them. For now at least.
If Orpik has anything to do with Carlson turning into a top 30 (or maybe much better) dman, then that's added bonus.
txpd
Registered User
they are both doing exactly what they were hired to do. Niskanen is solid in every phase of the game and is really expected to be reliable. he is.
Orpik was hired to bring a certain identity to the team. The team has taken on that identity. Orpik is among the league leaders in hits and blocked shots. Between him and Wilson the Caps are now a team opposing teams don't look forward to.
Look at Carlson. That is a reflection of Orpik. Same with Ovechkin. Same with Backstrom for different reasons.
Orpik was hired to bring a certain identity to the team. The team has taken on that identity. Orpik is among the league leaders in hits and blocked shots. Between him and Wilson the Caps are now a team opposing teams don't look forward to.
Look at Carlson. That is a reflection of Orpik. Same with Ovechkin. Same with Backstrom for different reasons.
Mothra
The Groovy Guru
I believe it was Rierdan who, when speaking about Orpik and what he brings, said that when the other D have a bad shift they come off and feel like they have let him down....that he has come in and really made a difference in the room as well as on the ice
txpd
Registered User
this is why any talk of getting a different defenseman on the ufa market is a waste of time. it was this particular man that they wanted.
FloridaCap
Beaglechuk Mania
- Jun 30, 2012
- 2,651
- 0
Niskanen hasn't brought nearly the offensive punch I imagined. He whiffs on way too many slap shots and rarely ever gets a wrist shot through. Orpik is solid defensively. About what I expected.
When you take into account they replaced guys like Carrick and Erskine, they have both REALLY helped.
When you take into account they replaced guys like Carrick and Erskine, they have both REALLY helped.
Blades of Steel
log off.
I love em both, we have a great combo of players and coaches. Just a few pieces to the puzzle to go, we are so close.
Like Orpik but worry about his age. He doesn't have the jump he should in BB games. Age. Still a great D-man.
Niskanen is just "okay" for the money and sometimes less than "okay" for the money.Too many whiffs, too many penalties but still better than Carlson overall. Carlson is a better shot, much better, but I think Niskanen is a better match for Orpik.
A $15.00 cold Coke tastes great on a hot day - when you've no other choice, it's worth every penny when you're desperate.
Niskanen is just "okay" for the money and sometimes less than "okay" for the money.Too many whiffs, too many penalties but still better than Carlson overall. Carlson is a better shot, much better, but I think Niskanen is a better match for Orpik.
A $15.00 cold Coke tastes great on a hot day - when you've no other choice, it's worth every penny when you're desperate.
Acallabeth
Post approved by Ovechkin
Pitts -was, was ---one of the best teams in the league. They fired the coach and traded everybody but Crosby,Malkin and Fleury because they were not one of the "best" teams.
Anway. Orpik was a good but expensive signing. Good players always are.
Niskanen is an expensive 2nd pair signing. Is he worth it? I thought he was but I'm not so sure anymore. He could be the best D-Man in hockey lore....but right now he's a 2nd pairing D-man that needs some improvement.
ChibiPooky
Yay hockey!
artilector
Registered User
- Jan 11, 2006
- 8,351
- 1,187
They've been good. Orpik's a likely ticking time bomb, but I'll say that at present, he's playing better than I feared. His skating is good enough, and he makes pretty good moves/decisions with the puck. And not out of position too often. The physicality is obviously great.
A very important side effect -- they've made Green expendable. Not clear if that'll come to pass, but at least it's a clear possibility. And that, going forward, can make up for a significant chunk of their big salaries.
A very important side effect -- they've made Green expendable. Not clear if that'll come to pass, but at least it's a clear possibility. And that, going forward, can make up for a significant chunk of their big salaries.
Wideman can shoot as well as Green and is a good skater ...but fair point.
Green is like "The girl with the golden curl .....when she's good she's very good and when she's bad she's horrid."
Look, I don't dislike Niskanen. But when you sign big deals for big cash people expect big performance - and should. Niskanen has gone through a rough patch that lasted long enough to be called a - pattern of behavior.
Evander Kane, M. Richards -among others -are competent NHL'ers whose "patern of behavior" was noticed.
I'm sure he'll be fine.
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Who should we targeted back then instead of Nisky? Anton Stralman?
--> http://ownthepuck.blogspot.ca
this says Niskanen is more top pair man!
How can one argue with that?!
EDIT: Niskanen is top-60 dman scoring wise. And is a plus player.
Also, found an interesting player in the points chart. Aaron Ekblad. He's got to be a promising young man.
--> http://ownthepuck.blogspot.ca
this says Niskanen is more top pair man!
How can one argue with that?!
EDIT: Niskanen is top-60 dman scoring wise. And is a plus player.
Also, found an interesting player in the points chart. Aaron Ekblad. He's got to be a promising young man.
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BobRouse
Registered User
- Mar 18, 2009
- 10,144
- 373
Brooks Orpik is a beast.
He's like Tinordi that skates better but doesn't fight yet still delivers absurdly hard hits and from all accounts he is an authoritative locker room presence.
Like Tinordi ..when a player turns his back on him along the boards he doesn't give a dman. He crushes that guy and that is never a penalty. We haven't had a Dman who does that since...well...Tinordi!
Alan May and Koken were speaking on the Comcast TDL recap show about how surprisingly physical Niskanen is.
I know guys like Ehrhoff, Fayne and Stralman were coveted on here but it does seem we got the right guys who have the right fit with what we are trying to do.
He's like Tinordi that skates better but doesn't fight yet still delivers absurdly hard hits and from all accounts he is an authoritative locker room presence.
Like Tinordi ..when a player turns his back on him along the boards he doesn't give a dman. He crushes that guy and that is never a penalty. We haven't had a Dman who does that since...well...Tinordi!
Alan May and Koken were speaking on the Comcast TDL recap show about how surprisingly physical Niskanen is.
I know guys like Ehrhoff, Fayne and Stralman were coveted on here but it does seem we got the right guys who have the right fit with what we are trying to do.
RandyHolt
Keep truckin'
- Nov 3, 2006
- 34,812
- 7,145
Mad props to Orpik for being our only defensemen not afraid to take a penalty with 5 seconds left battling like a boss in our crease. When I say not afraid, I mean smart enough.
And hats off to Niskanen for quickly becoming our 2nd best hitter on D. Of course, he doesn't have any real competition, but its much better than nothing.
And hats off to Niskanen for quickly becoming our 2nd best hitter on D. Of course, he doesn't have any real competition, but its much better than nothing.
BobRouse
Registered User
- Mar 18, 2009
- 10,144
- 373
I love how Orpik simply eliminates his man and finishes his checks. He takes guys out of the play thus creating space for our other guys to clear the zone. Rarely do you see his mark jump back to go chase the puck since he pins them so well.
Langway was the master of that. He simply brought most cycles to a dead stop by muscling up an opposing player and making sure he couldn't go anywhere and cause havok.
Langway was the master of that. He simply brought most cycles to a dead stop by muscling up an opposing player and making sure he couldn't go anywhere and cause havok.
NobodyBeatsTheWiz
Happy now?
They've stabilized the defensive corps for the first time in a decade+, and have contributed significantly to the development of Alzner, and especially Carlson.
Worth every penny at this point.
Worth every penny at this point.
amjay13
Registered User
Orpik has been about what I expected which is exactly what the Caps needed.
Niks has been better than I expected and is more physical than I recalled.
Niks has been better than I expected and is more physical than I recalled.
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