Nikita Gusev gives up on hope of returning to the NHL

It looks like any hope Nikita Gusev had of returning to the NHL is gone. The 30-year-old had been holding off on signing a new deal in the hopes that an NHL team would bite. However, Sport-Express.ru is now reporting that Gusev has signed on with SKA Saint Petersburg, where he played last year and for four seasons before that until he joined the NHL.

Gusev's agent was insistent that his client wanted to return to North America this season and that's why he didn't sign a new deal before the KHL season began. However, it appears there were no takers.

Initially drafted by Tampa Bay in the seventh round, Gusev was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights and then the New Jersey Devils before he finally suited up in the NHL. He had a great start with the Devils in 2019-20, but fizzled quickly. After two season in New Jersey, he had his contract terminated by the Devils. He then signed on as a free agent with the Florida Panthers for the remainder of 2020-21. He tried hard to find a new deal for the 2021-22 season, but all he could get was a PTO with Toronto for training camp that didn't turn into an official deal. He then returned home to play for SKA St. Petersburg.

Despite his troubles in the NHL, Gusev is considered an elite player in Russia. He has a Gagarin Cup, a Golden Stick (League MVP) and was an All-Star four times in the KHL. He also has gold and silver medals for representing Russia at the Winter Olympics. He was named the best forward at the Olympics in 2018.

Source: Sport-Express.ru

MUST READ

1 hour ago  |  By Tom Banks Unforeseen Events Nearly Force Toronto Maple Leafs vs Utah Hockey Club Game to be Postponed

3 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks NHL Department of Player Safety Makes Official Ruling On Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes

4 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Canadian Team Unexpectedly Places 6-Foot-3 Enforcer on the NHL Waiver Wire

4 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Elliotte Friedman Hints at Trade of 30 Million Dollar Defenseman to Canadian Team

7 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch 900-Game NHL Veteran Likely to Retire After Refusing to Sign With Canadian Team

7 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Addresses Struggling Player Nick Robertson in New Interview

10 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Terrifying Scene for Carolina Hurricanes Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov as He Blacks Out on the Ice

23 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Angry John Tortorella Calls Out One Flyers Player: Trade is Likely Per Elliotte Friedman

MORE STORIES