Golden Knights trade Gusev to Devils
The Vegas Golden Knights have traded forward Nikita Gusev to the New Jersey Devils for a second-round pick in 2021 and a third-round pick in 2020, the team announced Monday.
Additionally, Gusev, who was a restricted free agent, has agreed to terms with the Devils on a two-year contract carrying an average annual value of $4.5 million.
Gusev has yet to play a game in the NHL but led the KHL with 82 points in 62 games during the 2018-19 season. That total was the second-highest single-season mark in KHL history - more than Ilya Kovalchuk or Alexander Radulov ever produced.
The 27-year-old left-winger is just 5-foot-11 and 181 lbs, but he's an explosive skater with soft hands, excellent vision, and high hockey IQ.
Gusev was originally drafted in the seventh round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2012. His rights were traded to Vegas in 2017 for expansion draft considerations. He signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Golden Knights in April but never suited up in a game. General manager George McPhee was forced to trade him due to financial constraints, as the club has just over $1 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly.
In addition to landing Gusev, the Devils have traded for P.K. Subban, signed Wayne Simmonds in free agency, and drafted Jack Hughes first overall this offseason.