What does the future hold for Columbus Blue Jackets winger Gus Nyquist?
The veteran forward will be entering the final year of his four-year, $22M ($5.5M AAV) deal, at which point he'll become a free agent. The winger will be 33 when the 2022-23 season starts, but he's shown that he can still produce, tallying 18-35-53 over a full 82-game season in 2021-22. There are basically three possible outcomes, and all of them have obvious pros and cons.
Bring Him Back Long-Term
The Blue Jackets are one of the few organizations that are well-positioned with the salary cap heading into the future. They have plenty of flexibility, which means affording Nyquist, who will likely come in under his current $5.5M valuation and on a short-term contract, shouldn't be an issue.
Then there's his veteran presence, which is more difficult to quantify, but counts for something. He and Jakub Voracek are the only two players on the club on the 'wrong side' of 30, and the Blue Jackets are poised to be among the youngest teams in the NHL again next season, particularly if either - or both - of their top draft picks in the upcoming NHL Draft push for a roster spot. Surely the Blue Jackets will want to have some semblance of veteran leadership on the roster, no?
But Nyquist will be a pending UFA, meaning he has the final say in where he goes. That could mean that, even if the Blue Jackets want to keep the marriage alive, he may not.
Trade Him
Nyquist still has value, particularly as a cheap rental on a prorated contract. His 53 points in 2021-22 evidence that he can still contribute at a high level. He's a versatile player that can slot on the power play, kill penalties, play both wings, take a faceoff, and play up and down the lineup. For a contending team, he'd be a no-brainer. The Red Wings employed this strategy at the 2019 trade deadline, moving him for a second and third-round draft pick.
Gustav Nyquist with the gorgeous no-look dish to Patrik Laine who lifts one home short side to double the lead for the Blue Jackets, 3-1 Columbus!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/HeNoooi9mV
— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) March 19, 2022
The Blue Jackets already have a crowded forward group heading into the offseason, and unless GM Jarmo Kekalainen is able to make some consolidating moves, that is likely to remain the case heading into next season. Nyquist is unquestionably in the club's top-12 forwards, and that's a good thing. But it may make sense to move on from the veteran in order to give some up-and-coming players more of a look, particularly if the club dips out of the playoff race.
Treat Him As Their Own Rental
One of my favorite proverbs issued by modern-day GMs is when they say that they didn't trade a pending UFA, instead treating the player as their 'own rental'.
But that may be the case here.
The veteran of 652 regular-season games may simply be worth more to the Blue Jackets, even on an expiring contract, than what they would be recouping in a theoretical trade. Plus, punting his future to next offseason would leave the door open for a return, if it makes sense for both player and organization.
Nyquist has been a good soldier for the Blue Jackets, and, despite missing the entirety of the 2020-21 season, has been a good signing. The Blue Jackets are a team in transition, and the league is getting younger and faster. But a player like Nyquist, who can play in virtually any situation, doesn't go out of style. It will be interesting to see how the club handles his (potential) final season with the organization.
