What About Nyquist?

Written by Chris on 31 January 2013.

Here's another excellent guest post from Franklin Steele:

What does a guy have to do to get a call-up to the Detroit Red Wings these days? If you answered "be over 35 years of age and posses a frail, oft-injured body" you're probably being sarcastic, but you might be on to something too.

With a certified "shit ton" of injuries befalling the Wings through their first couple of games I was almost certain that Gustav Nyquist would be among the first players called up and inserted into the lineup. And while the two time, two time, two time AHL All Star was, in fact, called up, he laced up the skates for one measly game before Todd Bertuzzi and Darren Helm returned from injuries.

To be honest, every time I see Mikael "the invisible" Samuelsson out on the ice for a faceoff my stomach turns. Not because I don't understand why Detroit brought the guy back for a second round of duty, but because he is taking a roster spot away from Nyquist, who is overly-seasoned for a top-six role with the big club at this point.

There were reports from training camp that a line of Henrik Zetterberg, Damien Brunner and Nyquist were making defenders look like they were standing still. Why aren't we seeing that for the offensively starved Red Wings right this second? Why didn't we see that line out on the ice against Dallas two nights ago?

Hit the jump for more from Franklin:

I can't think of any valid reasons, aside from "this is just how Detroit handles their prospects." Lets get real for a few seconds though.

Detroit is currently 22nd best (worst) in the NHL in goals for per game, scoring at a lowly 2.33 clip... that simply isn't good enough for a team that lacks defensive acumen or any semblance of penalty killing ability. They also have the third worst power play in the NHL, behind only Colorado and LA. If you think this is good enough to make the playoffs, let alone make some noise, you are sorely mistaken my friends.

Nyquist was the most effective Grand Rapids Griffins rookie of all time last season, posting 58 points in 56 games. He has shown no signs of the sophomore slump this year as he currently has 40 points in 42 games played.

Think the Wings are playing good enough offense to excuse not having that level or production off of the farm team? Well, that makes one of us I guess.

If this is about ice time, just give it to him. The top-six of Detroit isn't getting any younger. And as we've seen with the transition away from Nick Lidstrom, not giving your kids a chance to play before you need them costs you in the long run.

I'm not asking for an overhaul of the roster. I'm asking for Detroit's best, most effective up-and-comer to be given a fair shot with the Red Wings. It'd be different if the Wings had an immaculate record, but they don't.

They've been pushed around by the elite of the Central Division and need to add a little more spark. Gustav Nyquist should be a full-time Wing, and he should have been since the beginning of the season.

8 comments

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JoeyBaggadonus

1 Like

Finally! I've been waiting for an article about this! I wanna see the Hank, Brunner and Gus line! Let em' have a PP line for a game or two. What's the worst that could happen? A shot on goal? That would be interesting to see on a Detroit PP this year. ...Excellent article with a valid point. Vets Go Ved Vings! (Happy Hudler voice)

Josh Howard

2 Like

The last thing you want is a guy like Nyquist sitting in a pressbox when he's on top of his game. That's what he'd do right now. Sammy isn't playing currently and the team seems to be getting better. Nyquist will get his shot.

JOHNxJOHN

1 Like

Nyquist is still in GR because our top two lines are set, and quite frankly he isn't a bottom six player. He is small and not gritty enough to bring energy to the bottom lines. Can he bring goals, yes, but we don't need that on the bottom. If we didn't have such a log jam at the bottom then we could move Bert to a line with helm and open a spot for Gus next to Pav but I don't see Babs doing that. When Sammy comes back he will be in the lineup. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Kenny unload some of this bottom six talent we seem to have so much of.

ShaneRozeveld

@JOHNxJOHN I would argue this: are our top lines set? Where the hell is this "30 goal streaky scorer Mule?" The argument above is perfect: Samuelson over Nyquist? It's like picking a mangy street dog over a show ready boxer. It doesn't make sense. Forgive the rant, but Kenny Holland continues to pull these weird moves on us. Signing Shit Rig to 3.5 a year? Quincy? Being a Wings fan has just been frustrating the past few years and it feels like chaos signings, trying to hold the wheel together with duct tape....

Wzit2ya

Shit Rig actually has turned into a pretty good dman. Probably our second most consistent that we have on the team right now. I agree with the rest of your statement though, these signings make no sense to me at all.

Josh Howard

1 Like

@ShaneRozeveld Shit Rig.... really? The guy is one of the best defenseman we have now. He'll end up being a rock solid second pairing guy. Don't be blinded by your hate. I was once.... then I gave Ericsson a chance and realized that my expectations were unrealistic. Ericsson does a great job at his price point. He's a rock on the PK and we need him to continue being steady. @JOHNxJOHN Quincey... I agree... he looked like a bust. Especially the first 3 games of the season. However, I think he's gotten a talking to. It seems his play has definitely improved. Part of it is getting a consistently defensive partner that can allow him to take a chance here or there. If ever there was a person to look at and say "bust"... it's Jakub Kindl. He's almost as old as Quincey and has practically nothing to show for it.

I'll get off my soap box now.... just wanted to put things in perspective.

JOHNxJOHN

1 Like

@ShaneRozeveld in my defense when I say set I mean Babs has what he wants. Not necessarily that all the players deserve to be there. The reason Big E got that money is he would have left Detroit if he didn't get it here. That was a crap year to be looking for free agent defense and it payed off for E. Quincey is turning into a rare bust for Kenny, I don't mind trading for him but we gave up too much. Also Sammy got picked over Gus because Sammy is over 200 lbs. and is a right hand. Let Gus stay down for now, he is only going to get stronger. Next year for sure he will be in a Winged Wheel for the entire season. Quote me on it.

marti783

1 Like

You're preaching to the choir my friend, preaching to the choir.

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