Welp the early bird gets the worm. Todd Cordell already shared his own thoughts on the player and the link to his blog is right here.
WHO IS NIKITA GUSEV?
Nikita Gusev is a 5'9 160lb Russian right winger who can do things like the above with the puck. I know sick shootout moves are not indicative of NHL skill but as you will read here, he certainly has plenty of that to go around as well.
I know a number of our commentors have discussed the merits own bringing in Gusev over the past few weeks. Honestly the player wasn't on my radar because I assumed that the Golden Knights were going to find some way to sign him. When you have produced at a better rate than fellow countrymen like Kucherov, Dadonov, Radulov, and Panarin did in the KHL.... you assume a team is going to find a way to sign you.
However that has not been the case and with the Golden Knights cranking their necks at the cap ceiling, the 26 year old Russian right winger remains an RFA, with reports out now that Vegas is listening to trade offers.
Gusev is a smart player, he passes brilliantly...as he should because he spent plenty of time playing with Pavel Datsyuk and learning the game from him. He has always been a dangerous player at 5 on 4 and considered a powerplay specialist.
He was the KHL scoring champion the past season, beating out the next highest player Dawes Nigel by 13 points. Gusev also currently sits 10th in all time KHL scoring.... again this player is only 26 years of age. His offensive potential is through the roof but there is always a risk when trying to translate KHL to NHL success.
Still there is a reason so many teams in the NHL are currently in talks with Vegas to try and acquire this guy, with plenty of teams and scouts clearly believing the hype. As I understand the cap, due to his status he cannot be extended an offer sheet by a team... a trade would have to occur.
ENTER EDMONTON
First of all I do not buy into the idea that teams will not trade between division rivals, for fear of having the play against the player too often. Next season the Oilers and Golden Knights face off a total of 4 times as division rivals... that compares to the 3 games the Golden Knights play against Conference Rival the Colorado Avalanche. Is that extra game that huge of a worry if a good deal is on the table?
As far as need and opportunity goes, I don't think there is a better fit in the league for Gusev and Edmonton. The Oilers are in desperate need for top six right wingers and should he sign in Edmonton, Gusev would have ample opportunity to play.
In order to acquire the rights to Gusev, we are at least talking about a first round selection in the 2020 draft, probably an additional third or fourth round selection too. Edmonton can offer the Golden Knights a number of young cheap players too such as Yamamoto or of course the disgruntled Puljujarvi.
Gusev has reportedly asked for a 2 year contract worth 4 million per season from the Golden Knights. Edmonton currently has just a hair under 4 million in cap space, but burying a contract or two like Manning or Brodziak in the AHL easily fixes that. Next year Edmonton could role out a forward group like this with the addition of Gusev.
Edmonton still needs to add at least one more scoring winger with 20 goal potential. Nikita Gusev is still an unknown on whether he can produce in the NHL but his numbers support the idea that he couldn't just be a 40 points player... he could be a 70 and that is a risk worth taking.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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