Should The Sens Acquire Nikita Gusev?

[Laphroaig]

It's been reported that Vegas will be trading the rights to Nikita Gusev because they lack the cap space to sign him. Should the Sens be in on this and what would you be prepared to give up to make it happen?

Click to read more...

 

[ATdaisuki]

lajoie for gusev + clarkson? they could use a cheap defenseman. lajoie is young, cost controlled, and played some nhl time last season.

 

[bigfatfist]

It is so frustrating that this would be an obvious move for any normal rebuilding team.

But not us.

 

[Larionov]

I suspect that Vegas's moves will come right on the eve of training camp. It is human nature to negotiate to deadlines, and Vegas doesn't have to make their cap related moves until just before the season starts. Until then, it's a game of chicken. Why call Vegas now? If you call them first, they'll think they have leverage. No, wait until they call us as one of the few teams with lots of cap space, then start squeezing them hard...

 

[HSF]

Depends on cost

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

He's absolutely someone we should be going after, so we probably won't.

 

[topshelf15]

His ask is 4 mil,we need about 2.5 or so hit the floor .....So Iam guessing no we arent interested

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

For sure. Dunno if we'll want to actually pay his asking price though, which is asham. He could be a huge asset down the road or a core piece to add to our almost nonexistent core.

On top of that, I just don't think Dorion values skilled players like him. Guys who can create their own shot and score in bunches aren't really valued by Pierre for whatever reason.

 

[Six Assets]

is he a high character guy?

 

[TheNewEra]

Will he play for scale

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Does he even want to play here?

 

[Boud]

Does he even want to play here?

It would probably be his best shot at significant playing time but realistically I don't think we'd be willing to pay his ask.

I think this team is done until September. They'll re-up White to reach the cap and that's it.

 

[SENATOR]

Gusev has a Kovalchuk like wrist shot, but barely using it. He is more of unbelievable set up plays specialist. Late bloomer who is ready to be a star in NHL. Vegas could give up his rights for a second rounder.

 

[bert]

It would probably be his best shot at significant playing time but realistically I don't think we'd be willing to pay his ask.

I think this team is done until September. They'll re-up White to reach the cap and that's it.

Agree, once/If White is signed they will be at the cap floor so there will be no more additions.

 

[Micklebot]

Should we? Yes. Will we? Probably not.

I'd love to grab him because we need to build up a cushion to ensure we don't have to worry about dropping below the floor when we start trading off contracts at the deadline.

 

[SENATOR]

There are a lot of very capable KHL players ready to make a jump to NHL to get away from uncertain future in Russia, due to Putin's policies. It reminds me 1990 all over again. And smart teams should really be proactive in acquiring the talent and sending scouts over there. At the bottom line, it is all about winning the cup and maximizing the profits. If it is not, I am not sure teams should even exist in NHL.

 

[bert]

Should we? Yes. Will we? Probably not.

I'd love to grab him because we need to build up a cushion to ensure we don't have to worry about dropping below the floor when we start trading off contracts at the deadline.

This is a good point, I wonder if management has even thought about it. They are for sure going to be trading Hainsey, Boedker, could also add Pageau, Demelo, Smith, Anderson, Boro, Duclair to that list. Thats alot of salary out.

 

[OgieO]

This is a good point, I wonder if management has even thought about it. They are for sure going to be trading Hainsey, Boedker, could also add Pageau, Demelo, Smith, Anderson, Boro, Duclair to that list. Thats alot of salary out.

Not being able to trade a disposable asset for a draft pick because of dipping below the cap floor would be the most Ottawa thing ever. I think poor FQL might spontaneously explode. haha.

 

[stempniaksen]

I don't necessarily blame the team for not wanting to give up assets (and pay $4+ million) for a 27 year old who has yet to play a single NHL game. That being said, this is exactly the type of outside of the box move a cap floor team should be looking at making given the (presumed) low cost to acquire (relative to talent anyways). This guy could bloom into another Panarin type and we'd have an asset worth flipping on our hands.

I'd be careful about what I gave up for him, but this team is loaded with enough tweener types that we could package a couple of them together.

 

[OmniSens]

He probably wouldn't even want to play here.

 

[branch]

is he a high character guy?

I've heard that he is in fact a great person.

 

[stempniaksen]

This is a good point, I wonder if management has even thought about it. They are for sure going to be trading Hainsey, Boedker, could also add Pageau, Demelo, Smith, Anderson, Boro, Duclair to that list. Thats alot of salary out.

My own theory about this is that we won't see as many of these guys shipped out as we think. Kinda helps that we only deal away their remaining cap hit, so if we hold on to them all until close to the deadline we may be able to ditch a few. I think guys like Smith, Boro and Anderson will be here all season, but I'd love to be proven wrong (on all accounts).

 

[OgieO]

Would love to acquire Gusev btw - but no point in even getting my hopes up. We wouldn't pay him what he wants, he wouldn't want to come here and working a decent trade seems beyond Dorion's scope. Melnyk would probably block it anyway.

 

[bert]

Not being able to trade a disposable asset for a draft pick because of dipping below the cap floor would be the most Ottawa thing ever. I think poor FQL might spontaneously explode. haha.

Do you know for certain that the league would block a move like this? If so someone should really tell PD haha.

 

[FormentonTheFuture]

I'm pretty sure the cap floor is only necessary for opening night - you could trade a ton of guys at the deadline and be way under, then have to get back to the floor the following October. I will try to find confirmation of this somewhere.