Gustav Nyquist

Position: LW

Age: 33

Height/Weight: 5’11”, 180 pounds

Statistics: 10 goals, 12 assists, 22 points (47 games played)

Player Overview

Last month, The Fourth Period reported that the Devils were “kicking the tires” on Gustav Nyquist of the Columbus Blue Jackets, alongside the Stars and Flames. However, last week, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Nyquist suffered a injury. The Swedish-born winger is out until near the end of the regular season. Though, Nyquist is still expected to return in time for a playoff run. Chris Johnston also reported that Nyquist is in play as a potential trade piece despite the injury.

Injury concerns aside, Nyquist is a veteran, offensively-minded player that could add the depth scoring New Jersey has lacked in recent weeks. This season, Nyquist has tallied 10 goals and 22 points in 48 games, for a 37-point pace. At 0.45 points-per-game, his offensive output is down considerably from his first two seasons in Columbus. In those years, he produced at a 0.60 and 0.64 points-per-game pace, respectively.

Before arriving in Columbus in the summer of 2019, Nyquist had a solid, eight-year run in Detroit. He was then acquired by San Jose at the 2019 trade deadline. In his regular season career, the 33-year-old has tallied 423 points in 700 games, roughly a 50-point pace. 

During his postseason run in San Jose, he was a solid contributor, picking up 11 points in 20 games as the Sharks fell in the Western Conference Final before hitting the open market. In his career as a whole, Nyquist has tallied 16 points in 65 playoff games.

Based on those career numbers, it was reasonable to expect a slight uptick in Nyquist’s point production if he gets a trade away from Columbus. The Blue Jackets are 29th in the NHL, scoring just 2.55 goals per game. Nyquist is also shooting 10.3% this season, a tick below his 11.4% career average. However, with his injury news, Nyquist will have to wait until the postseason to help out his new team.

Historically, Nyquist’s underlying numbers have painted him as a solid offense player that struggles defensively. This year has been no different. As you can see in his Evolving Hockey card, over the past three seasons, Nyquist has been roughly league-average offensively at five-on-five, but among the worst in the league defensively. 

This season, however, Nyquist’s overall offensive metrics have dipped, in large part due to abysmal power play numbers. His defense has improved slightly, but is still well below league average. His penalty kill numbers have also taken a downturn. However, he likely would not get penalty kill minutes in New Jersey.

Contract

Nyquist will be an unrestricted free agent with his four-year deal in Columbus coming to an end. The 33-year-old winger carries a cap hit of $5.5 million. Columbus is also able to retain up to half of that cap hit to accommodate a trade, which would lower the figure to a much more manageable $2.75 million.

However, with the news of Nyquist’s injured reserve stint, his contract potentially becomes even easier to acquire. Since Nyquist is out until roughly the end of the regular season, the team that acquires the winger can place him on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) where his salary will not count against the cap. An acquiring team could then activate Nyquist for the playoffs while operating above the cap at no penalty.

With the potential LTIR relief or salary retention, Nyquist’s contract does not hinder a potential deal, even with the Devils up against the cap ceiling. On top of that, Nyquist profiles as a pure, half-season rental, so additional contract years would not drive up the price of a potential trade.

Potential Fit With the Devils

If the Devils did acquire Nyquist, the Swedish winger would likely slot in on the third line. Under head coach Lindy Ruff, New Jersey’s fourth line has been more of a physical, dump-and-chase line (example, the ‘BMW’ line). Nyquist would also likely slot below the likes of Yegor Sharangovich, Tomas Tatar, Erik Haula, Dawson Mercer, and any other potential top-six additions, so a top-six role is unlikely.

Nyquist could potentially see time on the second power play unit, despite his horrific power play numbers this season if the Devils feel a change of scenery could help him. However, based on his metrics this season, there are better options on the roster.

One of the biggest issues with a potential fit is that Nyquist profiles as a pure rental. In all likelihood, he would not be re-signed by New Jersey. While that would make him cheaper to acquire, it is believed that general manager Tom Fitzgerald would prefer to make a “hockey trade” that has longer term benefits. While surrendering a mid-to-late-round pick or lower end prospect isn’t a disaster for a depth pickup, Fitzgerald may look elsewhere, especially with Nyquist out until the postseason. Don’t expect to see Fitzgerald overpay for potentially just five-to-ten games of a player.

Would a Deal Make Sense?

Gustav Nyquist does make some sense for the Devils, but a trade seems unlikely. As mentioned above, general manager Tom Fitzgerald is unlikely to move substantial assets for a rental. In 2019, San Jose traded for a second round pick and a conditional third for Nyquist on an expiring contract.

This year, with his production down, injured, and at age 33, the cost should be much lower. However, if he did target a rental, Fitzgerald seems more likely to acquire a player that can contribute to the stretch run as well as the postseason, even at a higher cost.

On top of that, Nyquist may not fit the mold of player the Devils are looking for. While depth scoring is a need, New Jersey has been linked to several bigger names to fill a top-six role, such as Timo Meier. If Fitzgerald pulls off a bigger trade, depth scoring is improved by a player such as Tomas Tatar or Erik Haula sliding down to the third line. In that case, the Devils may be more interested in a bigger, more well-rounded player to fill out the lineup. As mentioned above, Nyquist is among the worst defensive forwards in the NHL.

While Nyquist certainly is an intriguing name, it does not appear that the Devils are the ideal landing spot for a potential trade.