Niskanen has gone from one-dimensional to one of the top two-way defensemen in the NHL.
A native of Virginia, Minn., Niskanen was a top offensive player in high school. His senior year at Virginia High, 2004-05, the 6-foot, 204-pound defenseman had 27 goals and 65 points in 29 games on the way to the school's first state championship.
Niskanen has gone from one-dimensional to one of the top two-way defensemen in the NHL.
A native of Virginia, Minn., Niskanen was a top offensive player in high school. His senior year at Virginia High, 2004-05, the 6-foot, 204-pound defenseman had 27 goals and 65 points in 29 games on the way to the school's first state championship.
Having committed to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth out of high school, 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 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, and second overall in power-play points.
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, where he had two goals and seven points.
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 career points with two assists against the Boston Bruins. His first NHL goal came on 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.
After being a regular on the Dallas blue line 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 he was playing in a consistent top-four role, playing more than 20 minutes per game.
After finishing the 2013-14 season with 10 goals, 46 points and averaging more than 21 minutes per game, Niskanen signed a seven-year, free agent contract with the Washington Capitals on July 1, 2014.
