Report: Red Wings may try to move Gus Nyquist

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With the NHL Trade Deadline fast approaching (February 26) and a playoff spot still in the distance of their sight, the Detroit Red Wings will be faced with once again having to make difficult roster choices as they look towards the future.

Their most likely deadline move will be swapping defenseman Mike Green, who is in the final year of a three year contract and would be an attractive option as a rental for teams looking to make a Stanley Cup run this spring. However, according to Red Wings beat writer Ansar Khan, a “source” has stated that the Red Wings will be looking to move either Gus Nyquist or Tomas Tatar before this year’s deadline.

With 15 goals and 25 points so far this season, Nyquist has one year remaining on his contract at a cap hit of $4.75 million. Signing him to a new deal would likely cost upwards of $5 million per year, which isn’t the course a team trying to stockpile draft picks and bring in youth would do.

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Nyquist also has a no-trade clause in his contract, which gives him the power to veto a trade. Would he do it? He says that having that power is a bonus, but that the team hasn’t approached him about waiving it to facilitate a trade.

“That’s for sure a bonus for me, that I’m able to make that decision, to have that power,” Nyquist said.

“It depends on the situation I guess, but it’s not something I want to speculate on. Until it happens, I don’t want to have that on my mind.”

Since being drafted by the Red Wings in 2008, Nyquist is second in total goals behind Henrik Zetterberg since making his NHL debut in 2011-12. He wants to remain wearing the Winged Wheel, although he knows the business of the NHL doesn’t always cater to the desires of players.

“I love it here,” Nyquist said. “This city’s been great to me and my family. I want to be a Red Wing. I’ve had a great time the years I’ve been here.”

He added: “I try not to think about it. It’s part of the business. I’m sure (trade speculation) will be more and more leading up to the deadline.”

The Red Wings will host the Anaheim Ducks Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena.