Nystrom scored just 12 points in 60 games last season, and missed the last 17 games of the season due to a lower-body injury. When healthy, Nystrom skated mostly on the Preds’ fourth line, and was not much of a factor offensively most nights. With two years left on the four-year, $10 million contract he signed back in 2013, Nystrom figures to be around for the foreseeable future, unless the Preds can find another team willing to take him off their hands. He is expected to resume a similar checking-line role in this upcoming season.
Nystrom was a pleasant surprise last season, his first as a Predator after spending the previous two campaigns in Dallas. He scored 15 goals as a checking line winger, just one shy of his career high, and added six assists. However, he left something to be desired defensively, as his plus-minus rating of minus-25 was worst on the team. With three years remaining on his four-year, $10 million contract, Nystrom isn’t likely going anywhere soon, and will probably fill a similar role for the Preds this season.
Nystrom signed a four-year, $10 million contract with Nashville in July. Nystrom had seven goals on just 49 shots in 48 contests with the Stars last season after notching 16 goals on 102 shots one season earlier. He chooses his shots well based on his shooting percentage and Nashville believes the former first-round pick can make an impact with the club. Those owners in deep leagues which reward shooting percentage will want to take note of Nystrom as a heady late addition to their roster.
Nystrom managed to score 16 goals for Dallas last year after being acquired solely to ensure the Stars wouldn't fall beneath the salary cap floor. It's nothing more than a fluke, of course, and his pace slowed considerably as the season waned. He's a typical third/fourth line option, capable of chipping in five to eight goals, but not much more.
Simply put, the gritty Nystrom is not a fantasy-friendly option. He lacks a scoring touch and earns his $1.4 million per year helping out with hits and the defensive side of the hockey equation.
Nystrom wasn't a big scorer with the Flames (19 points last season), but was a gritty player (much like his father) that turned into a crowd favorite. He's unlikely to increase his points with the Wild's mediocre offense and he's probably not going to be as strong a source of penalty minutes (for leagues using them as a positive category) with his new club either.
Nystrom hasn't shown much on the offensive side of the puck in his short NHL career but he is a solid defensive forward who has earned his place on the Flames roster. He has a chance to break 100 penalty minutes this year but that is about all he will offer. Leave him alone in fantasy leagues unless you play in a very deep format that values penalty minutes.
Nystrom struggled through injuries last season, playing in only 44 games with the Flames and scoring 10 points. He will be a fixture on one of the bottom two lines for Calgary, as the first-round pick has not shown as much offensive power as the Flames may have thought.
Nystrom is still one of Calgary's favorite prospects despite missing most of last season with a shoulder injury. He should compete for a spot in the Flames lineup in the preseason, and could be a good fantasy player in a year or two.
Nystrom spent nearly all of 2005-06 in the minors, but did get called up to the Flames for two games. Calgary's lineup seems set for 2006-07, so Nystrom looks like he'll spend another year in AHL Omaha.
Nystrom who graduates from the college ranks has a great shot a making the squad and could be a great sleeper pick. He's a strong, two-way player who has some offensive potential. A season in the minors would also be valuable getting both power play and penalty killing experience and to play on a top line every day.
