DETROIT – The Wings’ offense needs a boost.
On Monday they recalled skilled rookie forward Gustav Nyquist from Grand Rapids to hopefully provide that.
Nyquist is second on the Griffins in points with four goals and five assists.
“I don’t know if you want to call it a message; that’s not what it is to me,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said after practice at Joe Louis Arena. “I liked him in training camp. I thought he was an NHL player in training camp. If you go back and read my quotes, I think that’s what I said. And I think he still is. I think he’s a guy who can help our team.
“We’re going to put him in the lineup and find out,” Babcock added.
Babcock said he hadn’t decided what line Nyquist will play on, but it’s more than likely play on a top-two line with skilled players.
“What I’ve found out of the years is that the guys who play best get more minutes,” Babcock said. “I try to evaluate that after every game.
“He wants the puck and he’s a skilled play who doesn’t scare you to death,” Babcock added. “He’s good without the puck and he’s been great in the American League, and the ball is in his court now, and he’ll come up and we’ll see what he can do.”
During the Wings’ current four-game losing streak, the Wings have only four goals.
“He had a good training camp, he’s playing real well in the AHL,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “We need to score some goals. We’ll see if he can come in. He’s 23, he’s played three years of college, he’s a little bit older. We’ll see what he can bring.”