Matt Niskanen is done playing pro hockey

A bit of a surprise Monday as Pierre LeBrun of TSN quoted sources as saying defenceman Matt Niskanen may not be back with the Philadelphia Flyers next season despite having another year left on his contract.

"Hearing via sources that Matt Niskanen is leaning towards retirement," said LeBrun. "Niskanen, 33, has another year left on his contract at $5.75 million. By all accounts, he seems pretty resolute in his decision. Which obviously will have an impact now on Flyers' off-season plans."

Philadelphia GM Chuck Fletcher later confirmed that Niskanen has informed the team he is retiring.

Niskanen is a former first round draft pick of the Dallas Stars back in 2005. He's played 949 career games in the NHL with Philadelphia, the Stars, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capital, collecting 72 goals and 356 points.

According to a Tweet from Cap Friendly before the official announcement, if "Niskanen were to retire he would forfeit the final $5,750,000 he is owed in 2020-21, and his $5,750,000 cap hit would come off the Philadelphia Flyers books opening up the full amount in cap space."

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