The countdown for the Winnipeg Jets home opener is down to 64 days, the number currently worn by Jets defenceman Logan Stanley. After taking a pause from the “goals and expectations” series to explore a few questions about the Jets roster that were on my mind, I’m back to look at Gustav Nyquist. Jonathan Toews was the big headlining signing by the Jets on July 1st, but a day later the Jets added to their forward group by giving Nyquist a 1 year, $3.25 million contract. Although it wasn’t the “flashiest” signing, Nyquist could be a sneaky good addition to the Jets 2nd or 3rd line on the wing.

Nyquist, now 35 years old, was born in Halmstad, Sweden. He began his NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings after being selected in the 4th round, 121st overall in the 2008 NHL draft. It took a few years for Nyquist to develop into an NHL player, but in the 2013-14 season he broke out with 28 goals and 20 assists for 48 points in just 57 games. Nyquist remained with the Red Wings until February 2019, when he was dealt to the San Jose Sharks. Nyquist remained fairly consistent throughout his career, but he became a player that was on the move several times either at the trade deadline or in the off-season. After a season with the Sharks, Nyquist spent time with the Blue Jackets, the Wild, the Predators (where he recorded a career high 75 points in 2023-24) and then again briefly with the Wild last season for 22 games before entering free agency.

Nyquist has played in 863 NHL games, scoring 209 goals and 322 assists for 531 points. Despite a down year last year with the Predators and Wild, Nyquist appears ready to “reset” his career with the Jets. The two-way forward will bring experience, a proven scoring touch, and consistency to the Jets forward group. So what should be expected of Nyquist in the 2025-26 season?

Depending on who you ask, Nyquist could find himself on either the Jets 2nd or 3rd line. One line combination that has been thrown out there for the Jets 3rd line to start the season is Alex Iafallo, Vladislav Namestnikov and Gustav Nyquist. This line would assume that the 2nd line looks something like Nino Niederreiter, Jonathan Toews and Cole Perfetti, which may work after they gain some chemistry. Nyquist could also find himself on the Jets 2nd line with Perfetti and Toews, and this would give Nyquist the best opportunity of re-finding his scoring touch of the past. Alongside Toews, Nyquist would be able to be a leader in the Jets locker room for the younger players, providing knowledge from his two-way style of play while remaining consistent throughout the season.

Going from a career high 75 points in the 2023-24 season down to just 29 points last season is quite the drastic shift. Nobody was expecting Nyquist to repeat a 70+ point season last year, but he just didn’t have the same impact as he’s had in the past. A “bad” season for Nyquist this season would be if he can’t reach the 30 point mark like he was unable to do last season. Of course Nyquist’s role will be more than just putting up points (depending on if he’s on line 2 or line 3), but the Jets are hoping he brings some scoring ability to wherever he is in the lineup on opening night.

If Nyquist can start or at some point play on the Jets 2nd line, that will be Nyquist’s opportunity to really show what he’s got. Achieving a 0.5 points per game at age 35+ is usually considered pretty good, so that would be the mark for Nyquist to reach if he were to achieve a “good” season with the Jets. It will take Nyquist some time to adjust to his new team, but once he gets going and once the Jets establish a “regular” lineup, he should have the tools available to look like the player that people remember Nyquist as being not long ago.

Here are some general goals that I would like to see from Gustav Nyquist in the 2025-26 season:

Jets fans are all hoping to see the best version of Gustav Nyquist in the 2025-26 season. He will no doubt be a fun player to watch as he looks to regain his stride as he enters the final stages of his successful NHL career. If Nyquist has a successful season and the fit with the team is right, the Jets should definitely look to keep Nyquist for at least another season.