Nikita Gusev – To Trade Him Or Someone Else?
Justin Emerson of the Las Vegas Sun: The Vegas Golden Knights have had a very quiet free agent stretch and have moved out almost $15 million in salaries.
Restricted free agent Nikita Gusev may be the next player moved out.
The signing of Mark Stone when they acquired him at the trade deadline was the reason they have had to move Colin Miller, Erik Haula and possibly now Gusev. The Golden Knights are obviously better with Stone.
They have their core players locked up for a couple of seasons and will now be able to start introducing some of their prospects.
“Our team’s in a good place,” McPhee said. “We have some real good players under contract for a long time. All of our core players are set.”
“It’s nice to be sort of invited to the (free agency) party but respectfully decline.”
Jesse Granger of The Athletic: Sources are saying that the Vegas Golden Knights and restricted free agent Nikita Gusev could be $2 million per season apart on a two-year deal. The Golden Knights have been offering $2 million a season with Gusev looking for $4 million.
The Golden Knights are just under $2.7 million over the cap ceiling. David Clarkson to the LTIR gets them about $2.575 million under the cap.
The Golden Knights can either trade someone to sign Gusev or they can trade Gusev, and are exploring both options.
“We think (Gusev) is a really good player. We’d like to work something out here, but if that doesn’t work out we’ll look at options,” McPhee said. “We’ve had people call us on him. We’ll see what develops. I can’t tell you what will happen, but we’ll work on it. He’s been very, very good on the international stage. He wants to play in the NHL. He worked very hard to get over here, and we’re going to accommodate him one way or another, either here or with another club.”
Trade candidates could be fourth-liner Ryan Reaves ($2.775 million) and bottom-pairing Nick Holden ($2.2 million). Third-line center Cody Eakin ($3.85 million) is another trade option.
Sources saying that most of the trade talk involving Gusev has them getting a 2nd round pick and a later pick or lower-tier prospect coming the Golden Knights way.