Niskanen has gone from one-dimensional to one of the top two-way defensemen in the NHL, which he showed during the Washington Capitals run to the Stanley Cup championship in 2018.

Niskanen was a workhorse during the playoffs, averaging 25:23 of ice time in 24 games. He contributed nine points (one goal, eight assists) and led the NHL with 57 blocked shots.

He was traded by the Capitals to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Radko Gudas on June 14, 2019 in the first trade between the Capitals and Flyers involving two full-time NHL players since Washington entered the NHL in 1974.

The native of Virginia, Minnesota, was a top offensive player in high school. In his senior season in 2004-05, Niskanen had 27 goals and 65 points in 29 games to help the team qualify for the state tournament for the first time.

Having committed to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Niskanen was selected by the Dallas Stars with the No. 28 pick in the 2005 NHL Draft.

He had one goal and 14 points in 38 games his freshman season but took a big step forward his second year. As a sophomore in 2006-07, he earned All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association First Team honors with nine goals and 31 points in 39 games, finishing second in the WCHA in scoring and goals by a defenseman.

Niskanen turned pro at the end of his second college season, immediately joining Iowa, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Stars. He appeared in the final 13 regular-season games and remained with the team through the postseason, playing in 12 playoff games and scoring seven points (two goals, five assists).

Niskanen attended training camp with the Stars in 2007 and stood out right away with his offensive skills, making the team to start the regular season. He made his NHL debut Oct. 3, 2007 against the Colorado Avalanche, and two days later got his first NHL points with two assists against the Boston Bruins. His first NHL goal came Oct. 29, 2007 against the San Jose Sharks, and he finished the season with seven goals and 26 points in 78 games. He also earned an invitation to the NHL YoungStars Game and finished eighth in voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie.

After being a regular for the Stars for three-plus seasons, Niskanen was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 21, 2011.

With the Penguins, Niskanen started to round out his game and average more minutes, and by his second full season (2012-13) he was playing in a consistent top-four role, averaging 20:21 of ice time per game.

After finishing the 2013-14 season with 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) in 81 games for the Penguins and placing 11th in voting for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top defenseman, Niskanen signed a seven-year, free agent contract with the Capitals on July 1, 2014.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• WCHA First All-Star Team (2007)
• Traded to Pittsburgh by Dallas with James Neal for Alex Goligoski, February 21, 2011.
• Signed as a free agent by Washington, July 1, 2014.
• Traded to Philadelphia by Washington for Radko Gudas, June 14, 2019.