Nikita Gusev is already getting scratched..

[Blender]

BuT gUsEv Is ThE pRoBlEm

Still no one has claimed that he was the sole problem and causing the team to lose. Are you incapable of separating team performance from individual performance?

 

[Marv Merchants]

Still no one has claimed that he was the sole problem and causing the team to lose. Are you incapable of separating team performance from individual performance?

Considering gusev was leading the team in g/toi... but there has to be a scape goat for that tire fire

 

[Blender]

Considering gusev was leading the team in g/toi... but there has to be a scape goat for that tire fire

There is more to playing hockey than scoring goals. There are tons of talented offensive players not playing in the NHL because they can't hack it overall. Gusev may or may not be one of those players, it's still too early to tell. What is certain is he has been downright awful in the 8 games he has played.

 

[WingsMJN2965]

Here's another thought: you need to do more than produce at a sub-40 point pace if you're an absolute trainwreck of a player outside of your production.

See: Damien Brunner.

 

[Kennedys]

CF% 34.4 over 9 games... How is that even possible

 

[Albatros]

There is more to playing hockey than scoring goals. There are tons of talented offensive players not playing in the NHL because they can't hack it overall.

Because they weren't good enough offensively to make it based on that alone and aren't good enough otherwise to take another role. At the same time we have Hart winners like Patrick Kane who are terrible without the puck, but can do enough magic with it for it to not to matter.

 

[Blender]

Because they weren't good enough offensively to make it based on that alone and aren't good enough otherwise to take another role. At the same time we have Hart winners like Patrick Kane who are terrible without the puck, but can do enough magic with it for it to not to matter.

Your first sentence essentially sums up why Gusev isn't playing right now. He's a possession black hole so far, guys like Kane are not. They dominate the puck so much that their defensive deficiencies are covered up, Gusev has been caved in worse than almost anyone in the league, and by far the worst on the Devils.

 

[greasysnapper]

No Gusev and they still put up 5 and won today. Bad player seems to contribute to bad play. More at 11.

I think the real question that needs to be asked is... will Gusev be run out of Jersey... or the whole NHL? What is this 3 straight scratches? That's starting to get a little beyond a sit down and recalibrate with Elias, that's a clear, 'we don't think we need you'.

 

[Nico Hischier]

Gusev has been scratched for 2 games but bratt went down with injury last night so maybe goose gets back in next game

 

[ManwithNoIdentity]

Goose reminds me of when the Devils signed Damien Brunner... solid offensive skills but useless without the puck

That’s a former Wing who’s name I haven’t heard in awhile

 

[Melkor]

I guess Gusev's had a good talk with Elias and probably will use his advices. On another team and with a smart coach.

 

[CupInSIX]

I guess Gusev's had a good talk with Elias and probably will use his advices. On another team and with a smart coach.

 

[Melkor]

Wow, came back in the lineup and scored but happened to be at fault for all 5 goals against. What a bum. Scratch him again.

 

[DL44]

Wow, came back in the lineup and scored but happened to be at fault for all 5 goals against. What a bum. Scratch him again.

That's impressive actually.

 

[Albatros]

His linemate Hughes hasn't been a + player in one single game so far, but Gusev is the designated scapegoat.

 

[swissexpert]

Yeah that line is fun to watch sometimes but Hughes+Gusev is a black hole defensively.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

I don’t get how you even entertain the idea of putting a soft player like Gusev with the 18 yr old kid on the same line. It’s like you’re trying to come up with the worst and most unreliable combination possible. Creativity doesn’t do much if you can’t keep/come up with pucks.

Doesn’t take a genious to figure out that’s not going to work.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

That's impressive actually.

The guy was being sarcastic.

 

[Avelanche]

Here's another thought: you need to do more than produce at a sub-40 point pace if you're an absolute trainwreck of a player outside of your production.

I know Russian posters on here want to make it "NHL coaches hate Russian players!", but it's really that the top players coming out of the KHL tend to be super flawed players. They can dominate in the KHL while being completely incompatible with playing in the NHL. The reason Gusev is getting scratched is because he's downright dreadful away from the puck.

Do you really think that or just assuming? Maybe the worst team in the league is bad at judging talent?

 

[BagHead]

I had never seen this video before, but it's an instant classic for me! The sheer confidence while he says "It's not that hard for me to give him" with a pregnant pause, "the wrong advices." really just puts it over the top. Thank you so much, @MGK

 

[ijuka]

Wow, came back in the lineup and scored but happened to be at fault for all 5 goals against. What a bum. Scratch him again.

Well:

Goal #1 first of all he's the last forward somehow, instead of the center. Additionally, he takes his guy just fine, Ryan goes through the defensemen. How's that goal on Gusev? D gets burned.

Goal #2 -someone- wasn't taking his guy in front. Gusev wasn't even on the ice.

Goal #3 the center's again coasting way behind everyone else on the back check. D gets burned.


Now, perhaps this is a new system by Devils but traditionally, C's supposed to help out with defense and it's tough to blame wingers for that.

 

[NJ DevLolz]

His linemate Hughes hasn't been a + player in one single game so far, but Gusev is the designated scapegoat.

Why do you dislike Hughes so much?

 

[Blender]

Probably his best game of the season from a performance perspective, hopefully he keeps improving as he's still not good enough off the puck.

 

[Melkor]

Well:

Goal #1 first of all he's the last forward somehow, instead of the center. Additionally, he takes his guy just fine, Ryan goes through the defensemen. How's that goal on Gusev? D gets burned.

Goal #2 -someone- wasn't taking his guy in front. Gusev wasn't even on the ice.

Goal #3 the center's again coasting way behind everyone else on the back check. D gets burned.


Now, perhaps this is a new system by Devils but traditionally, C's supposed to help out with defense and it's tough to blame wingers for that.

That was sarcasm obviously.

 

[NextYear67]

Gusev is legit trash for the NHL game. Another failed Russian