Matt Niskanen

Where are they now? The Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.

The Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights four games to one to win the Stanley Cup four years ago this week.

Since then, the Capitals have not won a playoff series since, getting first-rounded four consecutive times. While the Caps’ core and identity have largely stayed the same, the 2018 team’s supporting cast has moved on. Only nine of those 27 players are still on the team while two others, Shane Gersich and Pheonix Copley, remain in the organization.

Some key members of the 2018 championship team have flourished elsewhere. Others have wound down their careers or retired in different organizations or leagues.

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By Ian Oland 12 months ago

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Four years later, Matt Niskanen trolls fan who got vulgar tattoo of him after Sidney Crosby hit

Former Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen retired in 2020 after 13 seasons in the NHL. The two-way rearguard was sturdy and dependable in his own end. Quiet and to himself off-the-ice, Nisky had a mean streak while playing and was never afraid to drop the gloves or throw a huge hit when the opportunity presented itself. He also had a long memory.

While the newly-retired Nisky has never posted a tweet or a photo on Instagram, the 34-year-old Minnesota native was internet-astute enough to settle an old social-media score with a fan from over four years ago.

Well, with some help.

Warning: this article contains naughty words and gestures.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Capitals react to Matt Niskanen’s 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.

As word of Niskanen’s retirement spread, the NHL world began reacting to the news.

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By Ian Oland 3 years ago

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Matt Niskanen, a Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals, is retiring at age 33

The 2020-21 campaign was supposed to be the final season of Matt Niskanen’s seven-year, $40.25 million contract that he originally signed with the Washington Capitals in July 2014. Instead, at age 33, Niskanen is choosing to retire, turning down the remaining $5.75 million of his deal.

“Thank you to the Flyers for the opportunity to play in Philly last season,” Niskanen said in a text to Flyers reporters. “I’d also like to thank the fans for their support and lastly, I wish my teammates the best of luck”

Niskanen spent last season with the Philadelphia Flyers after being traded for Radko Gudas by the Capitals in June 2019 in a move to save cap space.

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By Ian Oland 3 years ago

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Matt Niskanen suspended one game for cross-checking Brendan Gallagher in the face and breaking his jaw

Former Capitals defenseman Matt Niskanen is in some hot water for an incredibly dangerous cross-check he delivered to Brendan Gallagher’s face during Game Five of the Philadelphia Flyers’ first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety held a hearing with Niskanen today and has suspended him one game.

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By Ian Oland 3 years ago

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Capitals play tribute video for Matt Niskanen

Defender Matt Niskanen played 390 regular-season games with the Washington Capitals, a run that peaked with a Stanley Cup Championship in 2018.

On Saturday, for the first time since he moved to Philadelphia, Niskanen returned to Capital One Arena. And, quite appropriately, Niskanen was heralded with a video tribute and loud standing ovation.

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By Peter Hassett and Ian Oland 3 years ago

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Matt Niskanen blocks shot with face, gets 15 stitches, come back, gets assist, looks like he has fruit punch mouth

Ex-Cap defender Matt Niskanen sure had a day yesterday. In Philadelphia’s 6-1 blowout win over the Detroit Red Wings, Niskanen had the following stat line:

17 minutes on ice
2 assist
FIFTEEN STITCHES AFTER HE BLOCKED A PUCK WITH HIS FACE

This is going to be one of those stories where we get in trouble from our advertising network because the content is gory. Enjoy.

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By Peter Hassett 3 years ago

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A first look at Matt Niskanen in a Philadelphia Flyers jersey

Former Capital and Stanley Cup Champion Matt Niskanen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Radko Gudas over the offseason. On Wednesday, the Flyers shared the first glimpse of Niskanen practicing in Flyers’ orange and… it doesn’t feel right, y’all.

In mid-June, Flyers’ beat reporter Sam Carchidi tweeted that the Flyers had “given Niskanen a nickname: Nisky.” Hopefully, the Flyers will use the creative energy they didn’t spend on his nickname to come up with better puns than “Nisky business” as the season goes on.

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By Brennin Weiswerda 4 years ago

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Matt Niskanen has ‘no regrets’ and made ‘a lot of great memories’ in DC

Matt Niskanen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday in exchange for Radko Gudas. Niskanen had been with the Capitals for five years, and formed close ties with his teammates.

In an open, emotional interview with The Fan 106.7, he talked about the experience of being traded again and what he thinks the Capitals’ Stanley Cup reunion will be like nine years from now.

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By Brennin Weiswerda 4 years ago

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