The New Jersey Devils have acquired Nikita Gusev from the Vegas Golden Knights in trade for a third-round choose in 2020 and a second-round choose in 2021. Moreover, the Devils have signed Gusev to a two-year, $9 million deal. The deal was first introduced by The Hockey Writers’ personal Dan Rice on Twitter.
Listening to from a supply that the #NJDevils could have a commerce coming for Vegas’ Gusev, for a third rounder in 2020, 2nd rounder in 2021— Dan Rice (@DRdiabloTHW) July 29, 2019With the Golden Knights wage cap turning into a problem, Gusev had been the topic of commerce rumours for a lot of the offseason. The left-winger was a restricted free agent enjoying in Russia up till final season, and has but to play his first NHL recreation.
Enjoying for SKA St. Petersburg in 2018-19, Gusev performed in 62 video games, recording 17 targets, whereas main the league with 65 assists and 82 factors. He additionally had a plus-32 ranking. He was named to his fourth KHL All-Star Recreation, after which added one other 19 factors in 18 playoff video games.
Gusev was drafted again in 2012 by the Tampa Bay Lightning within the seventh spherical, 202nd general. Since then, he’s spent his time in Russia, enjoying within the 391 KHL video games, accumulating 119 targets and 213 assists. He helped SKA St. Petersburg to a Gagarin Cup in 2017. He was traded to the Golden Knights on the 2017 Growth Draft, together with a 2017 second-round choose and a 2018 fourth-round choose.
He’s been a star on the worldwide stage. On the 2019 World Championships, he had 4 targets and 12 assists in 10 video games. He additionally helped Workforce Russia to an Olympic gold medal in 2018, chipping in 4 targets and 12 factors in six video games.
The 27-year-old’s extension will see him earn $5 million in 2019-20 and $four million in 2020-21.
Devils Making Large Strikes this Offseason
The Devils have been one of many busier groups this offseason, and they’re all the higher for it. On prime of including Gusev, they acquired PK Subban from the Nashville Predators, signed free agent Wayne Simmons, and drafted highly-touted prospect Jack Hughes first-overall. This can be a crew that already contains former-MVP Taylor Corridor and 2017 first-overall choose Nico Hischier.
Nikita Gusev in opposition to Pavel Datsyuk. (Picture: Alexander Golovko)
Coming off a season the place that they had simply 72 factors and completed third-last within the league, it seems common supervisor Ray Shero is losing no time in getting his crew again to the playoffs. The membership appears like they could simply be the crew to have the largest leap within the standings within the upcoming season.
Wage Cap Pressured Golden Knights to Commerce Gusev
Regardless of being controversial the most effective hockey participant on this planet outdoors of the NHL, the Golden Knights couldn’t make a Gusev contract price with their present cap scenario. As of now, the crew has simply over $1 million in cap house, however all of their vital items are in place.
“We did our greatest to accommodate Nikita and his wage request however have been unable to take action,” Golden Knights common supervisor George McPhee stated. “He is an efficient individual, an excellent participant and we want him nicely in New Jersey.”
“When you’ve a roster comprised of gamers who’re deserving of a sure wage vary you aren’t at all times capable of make room for everybody. That is the truth of getting an excellent crew within the wage cap world. After this commerce, we now personal 9 picks within the first three rounds of the following two drafts. These picks will assist increase our organizational depth and add to our pool of prospects. Though we weren’t capable of make this work, I’m actually pleased with the place we’re at with our roster.”
Whereas McPhee feels good about his roster, the lack of a participant of Gusev’s caliber could be a blow to any group. Particularly if he breaks out within the NHL subsequent season, this is likely to be a commerce that the Golden Knights will remorse.
