Is there a path for Gus Nyquist to return to Columbus?

A fan favorite, Gus Nyquist would be welcomed back with open arms, but can the Blue Jackets make it happen?

Gus Nyquist was drafted in the 4^th round, 121^st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. The young Swede played 3 seasons in the SHL for the Malmo Redhawks before coming to North America. When he got here, he decided to play college hockey for the University of Maine.

He played very well in college, playing in 85 games, scoring 50 goals and 144 points over 3 seasons. After his 3^rd year of college, he turned pro, playing for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Nyquist played parts of 4 seasons with coach Mike Babcock. His first two seasons, he was up and down from Detroit to Grand Rapids, finally becoming a full time NHLer in the 2013-14 season. In 2013-14 Nyquist played in 57 games for the Red Wings. He scored 28 goals and had 48 points. In 5 playoff games however, Nyquist didn’t contribute on the score sheet. In the 2014-15 season, he played in all 82 games. He managed to score 27 goals and have 54 points, his best year as a pro thus far.

Coach Mike Babcock left after the 2014-15 season for Toronto. Nyquist continued a steady 40 point per year pace but didn’t break 50 again as a Red Wing. The Wings hired Jeff Blashill for the 2015 season, and Nyquist only broke the 20-goal mark once, in 2018. So, what was the difference? Could it be that Nyquist played better under Mike Babcock and his style of play? Babcock does prefer skill over muscle, and Nyquist has the skill and hockey IQ to do what Babcock needed.

Skip ahead to 2019, Gus Nyquist signs a four-year deal with Columbus. The coach when he signed was John Tortorella, a similar, but not so similar style of coach as Babcock. But Nyquist plays exactly the type of game that Tortorella liked. He has flash, forechecks, and will do whatever he needs to do to get the job done.

Nyquist, the steady forward he is, played in 70 games his first season, with the missing games due to the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020, scored 15 goals and had 42 points. His second season saw him play in all 82 games, scoring 18 goals and 53 points. He is just one of those consistent players, that coaches and teammates seem to love. He was a fan favorite as well. During the NHL trade deadline of 2023, Nyquist was traded to the Minnesota Wild.

So, could Gus Nyquist return to Columbus in free agency? Obviously, he has that familiarity with both the franchise and the coach. He played under coach Babcock during his time in Detroit. Per PuckPedia, the CBJ only have $4,754,167 in cap space after the signing of Mathieu Olivier on Wednesday, and they still have four RFA’s to sign. Most of those RFA’s will get a minimal amount, but with that said, I’m not sure the Jackets could afford to bring Nyquist back, unless they were to trade another contract for his.

Also, how much would he want in salary? He’s coming off a 4-year $22 million contract.

As much as it would be cool to see Gus Nyquist come back to Columbus, I just don’t see a way for that to happen, and not have to sell off another player to make it happen. Nyquist has said many times he loves Columbus and wanted to stay but understood the business. Jarmo Kekalainen has said he’s not done making moves, and if there is a move, it’ll most likely be a center. Not to mention with forward Alexandre Texier coming back, that takes away a spot as well.

History tells us that it’s rare for players to be traded, and then return in free agency. Columbus has traded lots of guys at the deadline over the years, many of which fans thought they would easily return in the off-season. Former Captain Nick Foligno even said publicly he spoke with the Jackets GM about making it happen, but it never did. Foligno went on to sign with Boston, where they just won the Presidents Trophy this past season. 

Unfortunately for Columbus fans, Gus Nyquist returning to is highly unlikely.