Waived: [NJD] Devils waive Nikita Gusev

[Empoleon8771]

He probably won't get claimed, but the fact that he's a UFA after the year makes me think he has a higher chance of being claimed than guys like Gardiner or Gostisbehere.

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[DudeWhereIsMakar]

I think he gets claimed. Would be funny if it was Vegas, but I could see Minnesota or Washington giving him a shot.

 

[Forge]

Really thought he was going to be in for a big year this season with the way he finished last year. Just never quite figured it out though. Unsure if it's just not meshing with Ruff or what, but he's been pretty awful.

 

[xECK29x]

 

[FunkySeeFunkyDo]

What’s his truculence factor? Asking for a friend.

 

[HawkeyTalkMan]

Chicago should take the free flier on him to see if he clicks. they could also just claim him, eat 50% of his ufa deal and flip him by the deadline for a complete net trade profit for a free asset

 

[Djp]

He probably was offered around before getting waived so I’d say nobody bites unless they have the cap space and plan on trading a F and wants someone to fill in that position

 

[Adele Dazeem]

I'd pick him up; worth the gamble

 

[SwedishFire]

I think he gets claimed. Would be funny if it was Vegas, but I could see Minnesota or Washington giving him a shot.

Minnesota makes sense

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

He showed a lot last year, but was terrible this season. Awful defensively and too slow for the modern NHL. Hope he gets claimed if only because I'd like to see him get another NHL shot and it wasn't working out in NJ but I imagine he isn't. Seems likely he'll be in the KHL next year.

 

[Bazeek]

Minnesota makes sense

No cap space.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

I forgot this guy was even in the league... geeze the hype was insane for him lol

 

[Sweetpotato]

Man first ghost now Gusev. I mean both players aren't doing well but these are some great complimentary pieces for a team with stars.

 

[Nucker42]

Washington and their Russians make sense

 

[Blackjack]

I hope he gets claimed, he's a good guy, really gave a good effort and wanted to make it work here. I'm shocked how poorly it's gone given that he was scoring last season. If he can finish the season strong with another team maybe he can get another contract.

 

[SEALBound]

Gusev for Ghost. Easy.

 

[Whaddagoal]

Its a strange situation with how he just stopped being effective.

Goose was pretty good last season, have no idea what actually changed for him to be so less effective.

Most of his skills looks the same. Same hands, shiftiness, slightly below average speed (ie. SLOW relatively), but his play with the puck was just not good. He'd force and fumble plays, his shot looked solid, but never really made it to net much. Last year he was potting goals, making some sweet/brainy plays.

I know partial coaching staff overhaul since Hynes era left, but effectively he is mostly looking like same player, except his hockey-sense seems to have dipped a lot, and therefore he's literally not been useful much this season.

I think he did get hit with COVID earlier, but still strange all around? Or was sidelined because of exposure at some point. Either he just fell out of favor which coaches and in turn half-assed it, or something else is up...

 

[Unbiased Fan]

Have to imagine if he goes unclaimed he strongly considers a position in the NHLs players safety department.

 

[CraigsList]

Pick up by the Isles? Since Lee is out?

 

[KingsHockey24]

LAK picks him up; eats 50% of salary at deadline for a 3rd. EZ.

 

[Jerzey Devil]

Couldn’t even trade him? Damn. Funny thing is part of the reason Kulikov signed with NJ is because he’s friends with Goose.

 

[DesertPenguin]

We've been talking about low cost L2/L3 LW prospects to go get for the Pens, and Gusev was one of them to consider. I wonder if we claim him and close up shop for the year. Worst comes to worst we waive him again and NJD can bury him in the minors if they want him back.

 

[Web In Front]

LAK picks him up; eats 50% of salary at deadline for a 3rd. EZ.

If he has that kind of value why wouldn't the Devils make that trade instead of waiving him?

 

[joestevens29]

He does have an 8 team no trade list so there is a chance he was offered in a trade, but wouldn't go to a team that wanted him.

With that being said one would think that he'd go anywhere that wanted him at this point. UFA that is probably wanting another NHL payday.

 

[Anton Babchuk]

he will not get claimed due to his $4m salary. if someone wants him they'll wait until he inevitably clears and then get NJ to either retain salary or take salary back. they aren't going to take on that amount of money remaining this year in the middle of a pandemic for nikita gusev. and yes, i'm aware that the salary is pro-rated for the remainder of the year, but we're still talking about well over a million dollars for ~20 games of nikita gusev. no ownership is going to approve that expense. galchenyuk cleared waivers at $1.05m.

if people would start talking salary/cap hit into account then we'd no longer have to deal with the absurd amount of "player who is not particularly good and is making a ton of money will definitely get claimed off waivers" posts that continuously pop up. literally none of these predictions have ever been correct. not before the pandemic and definitely not now.