Obviously this guy is the real deal. He's smart, quick and he seems to be already above average defensively; and he's just a rookie.
Which brings me to this.
Maybe not this season, but give the guy a shot at center. He creates enough plays to be one. I think he's good enough defensively to be one. Plus he just gets it. He has that natural hockey IQ.
The Red Wings are having a hard time finding that 4th line center. If Nyquist can pull it off...? I mean look at Zetts and Dats. They both started off as wingers. Who knows, maybe he has center potential (I think he does). Anything is better than Emmerton at this point, right?
Yeah I don't understand what makes someone a "natural center".
If it's based off hockey IQ.... Nyquist over Abby and Emmerton...
I guess the fact that he has the IQ, and the defensive capabilites already there (and better than half the roster in just 15 games played or somewhere around there). He creates like a center, if you know what I mean.
Normally your centers are the ones driving the line, no? Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Helm. I think Nyquist would be an excellent center. He seems to have that quality.
I wouldn't classify him as the real deal quite yet. More like a promising top 6 playmaker. I'll be thrilled if he can turn into a 25 goal 60 pt a season player.
I guess the fact that he has the IQ, and the defensive capabilites already there (and better than half the roster in just 15 games played or somewhere around there). He creates like a center, if you know what I mean.
Normally your centers are the ones driving the line, no? Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Helm. I think Nyquist would be an excellent center. He seems to have that quality.
Babs wasn't afraid to throw Helm and Abby into crucial situations in the playoffs in the past...what else does Nyquist need to do to prove he can be trusted?
It's hard to be a responsible C and gain offense especially here. We expect our C to get points but we also expect them to play deeper than the wingers defensively and back check harder than them, too. This killed Flip's offense. He was so absorbed with playing D that his O suffered and we all thought he just simply sucked. Being a C for most players, like Thornton, Crosby, Sedin, it's just about offense.
He would be better suited for center due to his size and strength, and he would be awesome for Detroits center depth, Datsyuk, Z, Nyquist would be a deadly combo up the middle. With his speed and physicality helm might be better suited for the wing.
I swear 2-3 years ago Nyquist used to be listed as a center prospect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Probie
i remember too as c/lw.
This is true. However, he never played center at Maine, other than during the odd shift. Pretty sure the last time he played center was in U18 against kids who were barely old enough to drive.
^Agreed. I'd even settle for just a player who will do something with the passes given to them. It doesn't have to be a wicked shot, it could just be a good cycle, a good pass back to an open guy, etc. The Pav line is just stale and done to death. It's over. Problem is, our only other top six line is dominating, so our best positive becomes a negative because Bert and Mule can't do anything. They're too slow and can't get open. Like I said in another topic, Pav's poking the stone with a needle hoping for blood. I'm thinking move Bert to the bottom six, replace him with Nyquist and hope that Mule has one of his better games. What the hell else can we do?
Nyquist has looked really good to me, really has shades of Datsyuk; but he's too small right now to anchor a center spot. Imagine in the playoffs he gets caught for a few shifts matched up against a Joe Thornton or Anze Kopitar or David Backes on the road. I imagine that's Babcock's thought process behind that.
I don't think Nyquist and Datsyuk will be as successful and people think it will be. THe puck possession will be nice, but they are both play makers/pass first type players...with Franzen on the wing.
As for the 4th line thing, that was just a suggestion. could be 3rd line, does everything need to be at face value on this board?
I still think he would help the team, as a whole, playing center. Look what Flips did for the third line. Would be nice to have a 40 point center on the third line again. But I think Gus would surpass that.
Datsyuk's a pass first guy who can score 30+ goals a season if you give him the right linemates. A shooter that has a shoot first mentality is one thing, and it's certainly a working model.
A line that dominates puck possession and makes crisp passes for open net shots is another.
This could be a blessing in disguise...Wings need scorers. Ive said it all year. No one has believed me. O well, but w Nyquist in, who knows what he can bring. He has proven himself IMO already, and could be a difference maker for the Wings, if put in the correct situation. He sure as hell cant sit on the 4th line. If that is the case, consider the Wings playing w 11 forwards vs 12, bc Nyquist cant play to his full potential w players on our bottom 6..
I think we have all been impressed with Gus, and what makes it more impressive is that he is not just a rookie in the NHL, he is a rookie in the AHL. I know the college game helps prepare you but there is usually still some adjustment.
If Nyquist was capitalizing on his chances, he'd never be on the bench. Babcock doesn't know what to do with him right now because he doesn't net the puck.
If Nyquist was capitalizing on his chances, he'd never be on the bench. Babcock doesn't know what to do with him right now because he doesn't net the puck.
I'd say he was capitalizing on his chances earlier. He had 6 points in like 7 games after being called up, then got demoted to the 4th line despite that.
jk but your right he would be perfect for Datsyuk
