DetroitRedWings.com’s Art Regner interviewed former Red Wing Gustav Nyquist regarding his status as one of the Red Wings’ more successful Swedish prospects, as a part of Regner’s “How Swede It Is” series:
As a young member of the Red Wings, Nyquist was mentored by Niklas Kronwall, whom he lived with at the start of his Wings career, and Henrik Zetterberg. He also formed a bond with Dan Cleary, the Red Wings’ current assistant director of player development.
“When I think of Gus Nyquist, I think of hockey sense,” Cleary said. “He’s got really, really good hockey sense. He’s got real good talent, like individual skill. He’s not a very big guy, maybe 5-11, 5-10, doesn’t weigh a lot but he’s strong, he’s in good shape, skates well.
“You know the one thing; he’s got a real sneaky shot. He’s got a good shot, he gets it on net quick, goalies are caught off-guard sometimes when he scores. And I think overall, I think he’s just a real smart player. He can kill penalties, he can play on the power play, he can play late in games. That’s who he is. He’s a good NHL player.”
Nyquist recorded 295 points (125 goals, 170 assists) in 481 games with Detroit from 2011-2019.
