The Goose is loose is Columbus, folks.
Gustav Nyquist was a solid free agent signing this past summer for the Columbus Blue Jackets, but as a veteran winger turning 30 in September, expectations were tame.
December tells a different story, though. Nyquist is on pace for a 56-point season (the second-best of his career) and is currently leading the Blue Jackets in points with 23 (eight goals, 15 assists).
From a team that was returning the likes of Pierre-Luc Dubois, Cam Atkinson, and even Oliver Bjorjkstrand or Josh Anderson - this is a pleasant surprise.
THE DANISH DYNAMO DOES IT AGAIN.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/lIqA0HzJaa
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 18, 2019
Nyquist has an OK start to his Blue Jacket tenure, which is expected for any player changing franchises and needing to get used to a whole new system. His six points through 15 games were slightly underwhelming from the 60-point campaign he had from a season ago, but there was grace across the board for the newcomer.
Now, he's kicking it into full gear. In his last 19 games, he's put up 16 points (including five in his last five), a hat trick and is shooting at a near 16% scoring rate, all while getting power play and penalty kill time.
The Goose was in fact loose.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/pv5rl3fYGH
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 18, 2019
His overall impact with the club has been noticeable as of late, and it's not just his scoring. Nyquist is tied for the highest defensive point shares for forwards with Bjorkstrand (0.8), which puts him with the highest total point shares for all forwards (2.4).
Nyquist was a great signing by the Blue Jackets' front office this past summer, and it's looking even shinier now that he has taken a significant offensive role with the club.
