Nashville Predators Trade 35-Year-Old Veteran Forward
The Nashville Predators have finally traded their 35-year-old veteran forward Gustav Nyquist, after many weeks of trade speculation.
After plenty of trade speculation as well as Gustav Nyquist being held out of his team's most recent game due to health protection reasons over a trade, it's now official, as he has been traded, with the destination to be announced shortly.
The Wild were one of the most ferocious clubs in pursuit of Nyquist, Elliotte Friedman adds. Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic also indicated that there had been continuous talks between the two teams for a while.
Nyquist was an obvious trade asset up to this year's deadline. He's in the final year of a two-year, $6.37 million deal he signed with Nashville back in 2023.
Nyquist was the Predators' most valuable trade asset
Since the Predators seem to be out of playoff contention this year, he was their most tradable asset.
The native of Halmstad, Sweden is one year removed from a career-best season, scoring 23 goals and 75 points in 81 games last season as a member of the team. But, like so many of his Nashville peers, Nyquist's offense has been hurt this season.
With nine goals and 21 points in 51 games, he's on track for his lowest-scoring season since his truncated 2022-23 season, when he played each half of the season for Columbus and Minnesota.
His versatility to play on either wing in a top-six or middle-six role is what allowed the Predators to get a nice return on this completed trade.
His past teams, including the Blue Jackets and Red Wings, were natural destinations, but the Avalanche, Oilers, Devils, and Lightning had also been discussed as having had serious interest in Nyquist.
Update
The Minnesota Wild have acquired Nyquist for a second round pick.
More to come.
