Detroit Red Wings send Gustav Nyquist to the Sharks for pair of picks

The Detroit Red Wings have traded Gus Nyquist to the San Jose Sharks overnight.  Perhaps the Sharks brass liked what they have seen up close and personal as the teams squared off yesterday afternoon.

Breaking, Kenny Holland made another move; Gustav Nyquist is headed to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a second-round pick in 2019 and a conditional third-round pick in 2020.  The conditional pick in 20′ becomes a second round pick if the Sharks make the finals or happen to resign Nyquist to a contract extension. The return the Detroit Red Wings received is pretty solid for a pending free agent.

I have to give credit to Wings general manager Ken Holland for making this deal.  It is apparent that the two parties were unable to come to terms on a contract extension and Gus was set to hit the open market this summer.  Knowing Ken Holland’s history, he probably tried vigorously to strike a deal with Nyquist.  Let’s just be happy he was able to find a trade partner for Nyquist’s services with a good return.

In an article written by Ansar Khan and published by Mlive.com, Sharks GM Doug Wilson talks about the addition to Nyquist;

"“Gustav is a talented, versatile forward who plays with speed and a strong hockey sense,” Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. “His track record of strong play and character speak for themselves and we’re very excited to add him to our dressing room.”"

In comparison, the New York Rangers found the exact same return for Mats Zuccarello.  The Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks must have used that Zuccarello deal as the model.  The Dallas Stars sent a second-round pick in 2019 along with a conditional third-round pick in 2020 to the Rangers.  Needless to say, the Sharks are hoping for a better return on their investment with Nyquist.  Zuccarello blocked a shot in his first Stars game, and the early indication is he will be out a minimum of four weeks.

As hard as we all are on Ken Holland, I must say he’s done a wonderful job over the last two years at acquiring draft picks and filling the cupboard with younger players.  The Wings now own 10 draft choices in the 2019 NHL Entry Level Draft.  They have their first-round pick which will be a top 5 overall choice.  They have three second-round picks, their own, the Vegas Golden Knights second in the Tatar deal of last year and now the Sharks pick.

All in all, I like the deal.  The Detroit Red Wings will have the opportunity to add more young, CHEAP prospects to a group trying to get younger.  By signing your own over and over without adding additional assets is essentially doing the same thing time and time again but expecting a different result.  We wish you well in San Jose Gustav, once a Red Wing always a Red Wing.