Nyquist still sees enough runway to salvage season

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This article was published 02/02/2026 (195 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DALLAS — A quick chat with Gustav Nyquist gives you the sense that he’s heard some of the rumblings.

As it turns out, the Winnipeg Jets forward had a stern message for those who might believe his NHL days might be numbered.

“I’ve been in this league for a long time and been pretty consistent at it,” Nyquist said after the morning skate and before the Jets faced the Dallas Stars to close out a four-game road trip Monday.

“I know what I can do and I still believe that I have plenty of game left in me, so hopefully I’ll show that here.”

Belief is an essential ingredient for all professional athletes, especially one that is approaching 900 games of NHL service time (and nearly 1,000 if you count the 83 Stanley Cup playoff games on his resumé).

This is a player that has hit or eclipsed the 20-goal plateau four times, including 2023-24 when he recorded 23 goals and a career-high 75 points in 81 games with the Nashville Predators while playing mostly on the top line with Ryan O’Reilly and Filip Forsberg.

Make no mistake, Nyquist’s belief was probably tested during a span of 12 healthy scratches in a 14-game period before he returned to the lineup against the Florida Panthers on Saturday.

Nyquist started that game on the fourth line, but was promoted to the top line for parts of the second and third period and that turn of the blender helped lead to the game-winning goal.

On the play in question, Nyquist picked up speed through the neutral zone, had a clean zone entry and feathered a pass through the skates of Uvis Balinskis and onto the tape of Kyle Connor, who got the puck over to Mark Scheifele for his 27th goal of the season.

“It happens fast. You just try to make a move where the legs naturally open up,” said Nyquist. “Sometimes it hits the skate and sometimes it doesn’t.”

Nyquist was quick to credit his linemates for capping off the play, but the reality is that the play doesn’t happen without his contribution.

“I know what I can do and I still believe that I have plenty of game left in me, so hopefully I’ll show that here.”

He took the puck confidently to the middle of the ice just inside the blue line and the degree of difficulty of the pass he completes is off the charts.

“Those are the things that you look (for),” said Jets head coach Scott Arniel. “When he has the puck, he’s creative. He’s got great vision, great patience. The other night, I liked how fast he played. The whole group played fast, but I really liked the way he moved his feet and made a difference, whether that was being first on the forecheck or getting back to our end for breakouts and those types of things.”

Connor recognizes what Nyquist brings to the table.

“He’s got a lot of skill and creativity no matter where he’s playing in the lineup,” said Connor. “I don’t think that changes the way he plays. He gets his feet moving when he’s playing with speed and when you have that kind of skill, and that brain to go along with it to make high-end plays, it’s awesome to see.”

Nyquist will start Monday’s game on the top line and he’s hoping to be someone that helps provide the Jets’ lineup with a bit more balance if he can put a string of strong outings together.

“You’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities that you get,” said Nyquist. “Those are two great players and guys that you want to play with.”

How was Nyquist able to stay ready for when his number was called again?

“When he has the puck, he’s creative. He’s got great vision, great patience.”

“Yeah, it is (tough). You’ve just got to take it day by day, to get as many reps as you can in the few reps that you get,” said Nyquist, who was originally chosen by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2008 NHL draft.

“Obviously, it’s hard to do because of the schedule and what it’s like, with how few practice days that we actually have. So, take advantage of the time after the morning skate, try to stay in shape and try to stay ready.”

Nyquist has been around the game long enough to know this season has been a disappointment so far.

His production level is nowhere near what was expected of him when he signed a one-year deal on July 2 that carries an average annual value of US$3.25 million.

The Jets envisioned him playing a role on the second line with Jonathan Toews and Cole Perfetti and that combination has only been used together for one shift this season.

Nyquist’s inability to find the back of the net in the first 33 games he’s appeared in wasn’t what he — or the Jets — had envisioned.

But Nyquist still sees enough runway to salvage what was starting to look like a lost season.

“This has been a new experience for me, it’s never happened before, so I’m trying to find my own way through it,” said Nyquist, who had nine assists heading into Monday’s action. “Guys go about it in different ways and I’ve had my ways. It just is what it is.”

“You’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities that you get… Those are two great players and guys that you want to play with.”

Since Nyquist is one of eight pending unrestricted free agents on the active roster — and since he’s been moved at the NHL trade deadline three times in his career already — he’s someone to keep an eye on during the coming weeks.

On two separate occasions, Nyquist was acquired by the Minnesota Wild for a playoff run — once in 2023 when he was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets and then again last spring when he was traded there by the Predators.

The other time, Nyquist was acquired by the San Jose Sharks from the Red Wings in 2019, when he helped the Sharks reach the Western Conference final before getting eliminated by the St. Louis Blues, chipping in one goal and 11 points in 20 playoff games.

So, whether he’s still with the Jets or joining a contender for the stretch run prior to the Mar. 6 deadline, Nyquist knows what is required of him and he’s motivated to deliver.

winnipegfreepress.com/kenwiebe