Nyquist improving ‘all the time’: Arniel

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gustav Nyquist is still searching.

The Winnipeg Jets winger feels the transition is coming along, perhaps not as quickly as he would like, but strides forward are being taken nonetheless.

No, the offensive totals are not eye-popping, with three assists to show for his first nine games going into Tuesday’s contest with the Minnesota Wild.

Yet, Nyquist is adapting to a new system and has been churning through a high number of different linemates during the first month of the campaign.

But, by his own admission, Nyquist has been forced to adapt to new circumstances during the past four seasons, so he has a plan of attack for his own integration.

“It has been okay,” Nyquist said matter-of-factly following the morning skate. “Obviously, it would be nice to find a little more offence out there, but it’s something we’re working on in practice and talking about. It comes from the defensive perspective, too. We have to make sure we clean some things up there and offence can come from there. That’s what we’re focusing on.”

Nyquist, now 36, has been around the block so he’s not about to get frazzled by a relatively slow offensive start.

The Swedish forward also recognizes he’s got more to give, a byproduct of what can be found on the back of his hockey card. That includes four seasons north of 20 goals, nine of 11 goals or more and nine times with 40 points or more — and six times with 48 or more.

“In the past, I’ve scored some goals and it’s something that I still think I can do in this league and I want to do in this league,” said Nyquist. “It’s just a matter of finding (it). When you haven’t scored to start the season off, you’re gripping your stick a little bit tighter and stuff like that. Hopefully I’ll get one here soon and go from there.”

Nyquist is coming off an extremely tough season with the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild, one that included a precipitous drop in points from a career-high of 75 in 2023-24 to 11 goals and 28 points.

When that happens for a veteran, there are questions about whether the decline is underway or if it’s simply an anomaly.

By signing a one-year deal with the Jets, Nyquist was clearly banking on himself to bounce back.

The expectation wasn’t necessarily rebound to somewhere in the vicinity of 75 points, but when you’re used regularly in the middle-six forward group, there’s a certain level of expectation of production that comes with the territory.

Asked for some insight on what went well during the flying-high campaign with the Predators, when he was used primarily on the top line with Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg and had ample time on the top power-play unit, Nyquist felt it was a matter of a lot of things coming together.

“You click with some guys. It takes longer, it takes shorter,” said Nyquist. “We found each other pretty good right away. Every year, every guy has a little bit of a different role. A lot changed that year (last year). Things change and sometimes it doesn’t work out.”

Predators head coach Andrew Brunette was succinct when asked recently what Nyquist is doing well when he’s feeling confident and in the groove.

“He’s jumping,” said Brunette. “It’s almost like he’s dancing when he’s playing his best. He’s such a shifty, agile player.”

The influx of forwards like Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in free agency brought a reduction in Nyquist’s ice time and provided him with a reduced role after he got off to a slow start.

When the Predators started moving out some veterans last spring, Wild general manager Bill Guerin acquired Nyquist prior to the deadline for the second time in the past three years.

Nyquist fit in masterfully in 2023, chipping in five assists in a six-game playoff series.

However, last spring as the Wild were knocked out by the Vegas Golden Knights, Nyquist was held off the scoresheet entirely after making a limited impact upon his arrival that included two goals and seven points in 22 games during the regular season.

“I had a great time here, both times. Nothing but great things to say about this place,” said Nyquist when asked about his experience with the Jets closest geographical rival. “It’s always a bit weird coming back to a place you previously played, but I’ve played for quite a few teams, so it happens every now and then.”

Nyquist has a great appreciation for Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who inked a lucrative eight-year extension that’s the biggest contract in NHL history to date.

“He’s an amazing player,” said Nyquist, who was originally chosen by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2008 NHL draft and — after Tuesday’s contest — has 873 regular-season games on his resumé to go along with 83 more in the playoffs. “He’s one of the best players in the league and one of those players that can drive a line. He does a lot for this team.”

Jets head coach Scott Arniel has seen some encouraging signs from Nyquist, including four shots on goal in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth.

“He’s gotten better and better as the games have gone on,” said Arniel. “Obviously, he has the hockey smarts and the ability to read plays. He does stuff with the puck that others can’t. He’s probably one to admit it first that he’d like to see a little bit more offence from himself.

“But at the same time, like a lot of our new guys, they’re finding their way and sort of getting themselves acclimated to how we do our business and go about things. There’s improvement all the time, each and every day and that’s what I’ve been hoping for.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld