Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Nikita Gusev to a PTO - Released October 6ish

[SniperOnTheWing]

Click to read more...

 

[SniperOnTheWing]

Stick him with Tavares and Nylander IMO.

 

[Canada4Gold]

This is good. He has upside. If it doesn't work out then nothing lost.

 

[Cor]

Worth a try

 

[crump]

I remember this guy being kind of a big deal coming over to play in NA.
He’s not ancient so who knows, maybe he has a couple of good seasons left in him.

 

[MapleLeafs9]

Oh wow I'm actually excited for this. Superstar in the KHL, looked good his rookie season with NJ, took a few steps backwards last season but excited to see if he can gain some momentum again somehow in camp. Could maybe even be a Mikheyev replacement if needed to be.

 

[SprDaVE]

That's a good PTO. I wonder if he'd be up for a stint with the Marlies.

 

[capfit9]

soft skill maybe can find some chemistry no harm here with a PTO

 

[stickty111]

I like it. Low risk medium award.

 

[ottomaddox]

Shut
The
Front
Door !

 

[GOilers88]

Seems like a really solid PTO. This guy had quite a bit of hype so maybe he finds a role.

 

[Chief Berube]

This could be a steal! Lots of potential if he still has it

 

[hockeynorth]

Great PTO

 

[phillipmike]

Would have been fine if he got a NHL contract, great get on a PTO

 

[Kiwi]

I like this PTO

He's got talent and some upside if he works out so I see him as a good dice roll

 

[TheDoldrums]

Could be this years version of Galchenyuk. Throw him on the Tavares line with plenty of o-zone starts. He's got a ton of offensive upside for a PTO.

 

[Stephen]

Gusev came into the league with substantial hype with his work in the KHL and international stage with the "Athletes from Russia" at the Olympics and World Championships, and had a good first season. 2020-21 was a complete wash out, but not sure what the circumstances of his season were.

Not sure I have a lot of hope he'll make an impact with Toronto, but looking at the depth chart, we do need more mix and match forwards to try and build chemistry and flexibility, so it's the right kind of move. I wonder if this eliminates the possibility of Galchenyuk coming back.

 

[Menzinger]

The fact he was willing to sign a pto indicates he's probably pretty darn motivated to earn a spot.

No risk, plenty of (potential) reward. Love to see it..

 

[Knies iT]

Horrible skating, horrible defense and horribly soft. Would rather Galchenyuk in that role, at least he has a motor.

No risk PTO though.

 

[Buds17]

Worth a shot considering his offensive numbers have been good for the amount of games he has played.

 

[egd27]

 

[TMLAM34]

Solid PTO. Could look good alongside Tavares and Nylander.

 

[Stephen]

The fact he was willing to sign a pto indicates he's probably pretty darn motivated to earn a spot.

No risk, plenty of (potential) reward. Love to see it..

He might be a Jim Paliafito connection.

 

[dubplatepressure]

I think he's going to surprise us. Will be better than Galy IMO.

 

[BeLeafing]

Fine PTO, upside is there for sure and no harm done if it doesn't work out.

Does make me wonder if they wanted a player of this same skillset why not bring back Galchenyuk who had success in his short time here, but for now I'll bet on them not wanting to sign another guy and Galch won't take a PTO. Gusev is some training camp injury insurance at worst.