Quote:
Originally Posted by Ogrezilla
My prediction on the defense. Martin and Orpik look closer to 2011 than 2012 form. Niskanen looks solid as the number 4 until Despres steps up enough to take the spot from him with an excellent season. We move back in to the best 10 teams for GAA this year. The PK drops down to around 10th early in the year but bounces back to finish around 5th or 6th as Despres improves.
If we get Semin, we finish as the top team in goals for and PP%.
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I for one have really high hopes for Niskanen. For most of last season he was solid but unspectacular.. But he was sorely missed in the first part of the Flyers series, an when he came back, he was a difference maker despite a bum shoulder. He really pressed the attack and created some good things.
With him taking some of Michalek's minutes and semi-regular PP time, I think he can be a 30+ point d-man again, while not hurting you defensively.