Nikita Gusev


Nikita Andreyevich Gusev, nicknamed "the Goose", is a Russian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. Gusev was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh round, 202nd overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Professional

SKA Saint Petersburg

On 14 July 2017, Gusev signed a two-year contract extension with Kontinental Hockey League powerhouse club SKA Saint Petersburg.
In the 2018–19 season, his last season under contract with SKA, Gusev posted a career and league high 82 points, leading the KHL with 65 assists. He continued his offensive dominance in the post-season, contributing with 19 points in 18 games before suffering a conference final defeat for the second consecutive season to CSKA Moscow. Through nine seasons in the KHL, Gusev is 10th all-time with 332 points in 391 games.

NHL

On 21 June 2017, with the selection of Jason Garrison by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, the Knights received from the Tampa Bay Lightning the rights to Gusev, along with a second-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
On 14 April 2019, Gusev signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, instantly joining the club in the midst of their first round playoff series against the San Jose Sharks.
On 29 July 2019, Gusev as a restricted free agent was traded by the Golden Knights to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a third-round pick in 2020 and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He immediately agreed to terms with the Devils on a two-year, $9 million contract with an average annual value of $4,500,000.

International play

Gusev has played for Russia at the World Junior Championships and World Championships. He was a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honors