Gustav Nyquist Traded to Minnesota Wild by Nashville Predators

Image credits: Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images

The Nashville Predators have traded forward Gustav Nyquist to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft choice. Nashville is also retaining 50% of Nyquist's salary in the deal. Nyquist, who is in the final season of a two-year, $6.37 million contract, will be an unrestricted free agent in July. The 35-year-old had spent time in the Predators' top six rotation this season but struggled to find chemistry in Nashville's retooled lineup, collecting just nine goals and 21 points in 57 games.

Nyquist was held out of Nashville's game against the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon in anticipation of a potential trade coming to fruition. A change of scenery in going back to Minnesota, a team Nyquist played three games for in 2022-23 after being traded there from Columbus, could help Nyquist recapture some of his offensive prowess. The Wild need a boost, too, having lost three in a row and being mired in a litany of injury issues that include still playing without top skater Kirill Kaprizov, and now Joel Eriksson Ek is sidelined with a lower-body injury suffered in practice this week. Nyquist should slot into a middle-six spot for the Wild and help out on the penalty kill, utilizing his shorthanded skills to improve their woeful, 31st-ranked unit.

Here are the key details of the trade:

• Nyquist's contract: two-year, $6.37 million
• Nyquist's average annual value: $3.185 million
• Nashville's retention of Nyquist's salary: 50%
• Minnesota's acquisition: 2026 second-round draft choice
• Nyquist's statistics: 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 57 games this season

The Wild, who are third in the Central Division, two points behind the second-place Stars, are looking to make a push for the playoffs after missing out the past two seasons. With Nyquist on board, they hope to turn their fortunes around and make a deep run in the postseason.

The 2025 NHL Trade Deadline is March 7 at 3 p.m. ET, and the Wild are likely to be active in the market, looking to bolster their roster and make a push for the playoffs. Nyquist's acquisition is a significant move, and the team will be looking to integrate him into their lineup and make the most of his skills. With his experience and versatility, Nyquist is expected to make a significant contribution to the Wild's playoff push.

Nyquist has played for several teams in his career, including the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Nashville Predators. He was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round (No. 121) of the 2008 NHL Draft and has 524 points (207 goals, 317 assists) in 841 regular-season games, as well as 30 points (6 goals, 24 assists) in 77 playoff games. The Wild will be looking to tap into his wealth of experience and skill as they make their push for the playoffs.

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