Injured CBJ F Nyquist could still be traded ahead of deadline
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Earlier this week, the Columbus Blue Jackets ruled out forward Gustav Nyquist for the remainder of the regular season due to a shoulder injury.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports, however, that Nyquist is expected to be healthy in time for the playoffs and might still be dealt ahead of the March 3 deadline.
Johnston said the pending unrestricted free agent's injury could actually strengthen his trade market since he may not affect a team's cap space.
"It’s complicated and interesting," Johnston said Thursday on Insider Trading. "Nyquist suffered a shoulder injury last week and may be out for the rest of the regular season. This could actually make him be a more compelling trade deadline chip for teams who have a chance to go for it. That’s because a lot of those teams are already using their long-term injury reserve and have the ability to add Nyquist before the deadline and if he’s not available until after the regular season, they can stash him on LTIR and activate him in the playoffs.
"The Toronto Maple Leafs, for example, have star forward Auston Matthews on LTIR, they can acquire him and have him there for one day and when Matthews is activated off LTIR, they would have essentially added a player without hurting their cap position whatsoever.
"This is something to watch but the player does want to get healthy again. He is open to a move and wants a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup. I think he’ll still be traded even though he is injured at the moment."
The 33-year-old pending unrestricted free has 10 goals and 22 points in 48 games this season.
He too told Aaron Portzline of The Athletic after the announcement from the team that he has not ruled himself out from returning this season.
"I'm going to do everything I can to heal up and play," he said. "I still want to play hockey this year."
Nyquist carries a cap hit of $5.5 million in the last of a four-year, $22 million deal signed with the Blue Jackets in 2019.
The Halmstad, Sweden native was drafted 121st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2008 NHL Draft and has 174 points and 423 points in 700 career games split between the Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and Blue Jackets.