The Left Wing Lock

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The Red Wings want Gustav Nyquist, but does the young Swede want the Red Wings this year or next year? The 5-foot-11, 170 pound forward is in his junior season with the University of Maine. The team was eliminated from the Hockey East playoffs on Saturday in a 6-2 loss to the fourth seeded Merrimack College. Maine, which is a perennial entry into the NCAA Division I hockey championships, will likely be on the outside looking  in when the tournament starts this year. If that happens it will essentially end Nyquist’s season and possibly his collegiate hockey career.

With his season likely over, the questions have already started about whether or not Nyquist will return for his senior year. The Red Wings have wanted to sign the 21 year-old forward since his sparkling sophomore season where he posted an amazing 19 goals and 61 points in 39 games and was named one of three finalists for the 2010 Hobey Baker Award.

The Red Wings are hoping to sign Nyquist so that he can further his development playing for Grand Rapids of the AHL where he would play more games at a faster pace. Nyquist is reportedly taking the next week to decide his future, but even if he choose to remain at Main for his senior year he will still be a big part of the Red Wings future.

Several Other Red Wings prospects were eliminated from their NCAA playoff bids recently. Here is a brief look at the Red Wings likely interest in each

• Julien Cayer (Clakson/ Junior) – The Wings are unlikely to sign the 6-foot-3, 193 pound forward this season and he will need a strong performance next year to have any chance of a contract with Detroit.
• Nick Oslund (St. Cloud State/ Senior) – The 6-foot-3, 210 pound forward has not done enough to earn a contract in his four years and it would be surprising if the Red Wings signed him.
• Nick Jensen (St. Cloud State/ Freshman) – Jensen had a strong rookie season in the NCAA, but the Wings are in no rush to sign him and he has three more years of eligibility left.
• Bryan Rufenach (Clarkson/ Senior) – The Wings like Rufenach’s offensive skills but are likely to pass on the 6-foot, 187 pound defender due to the limited number of contracts available.
• Max Nicastro (Boston University/ Sophomore) – Similar to the University of Maine’s situation, Boston University has an outside chance to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament. The Red Wings are high on Nicastro, but they will leave him to continue his development with BU for his junior year.

The only Red Wings Prospect still remaining in action is Riley Sheahan with the University of Notre Dame. The Freshmen forward and his team defeated Lake Superior State in the second round of the CCHA playoffs over the weekend. Notre Dame will likely earn a bid to the NCAA tournament and as it stands now, Sheahan may be the Red Wings lone representative in the tournament. Despite his disappointing offensive numbers, the Red Wings still like the 6-foot-2, 202 pound forward but will let him continue to develop in the college ranks next season hoping for more offensive production.