PTO: [TOR] Nikita Gusev signs PTO with the Maple Leafs

[Gurglesons]

Brittle guy. Not soft

My point is if Kase played a more reserved game he’d probably be healthier.

 

[johnsic]

Still think he has more to give. If he gets a leash and other leafs can cover his defence lapse I think he’ll be a good offensive addition. Only a season removed from scoring 44 points in 61 games.

Yeah and several insane seasons in KHL before that.

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

Hmmm, almost like a trade of Thornton for Gusev. Leafs go fro Jumbo to gumbo.

From jumbo shrimp to free-range geese.
PK Subban did switch to a high-meat diet the year he won the Norris. It could be game-changing, the diet changes.

 

[Gold Standard]

have regular flights resumed for YYZ - SVO yet? He's going to need one shortly.

 

[nbwingsfan]

He still scored 46 points in his first season...

How did he do after that?

 

[ItWasJustified]

Could be a very good addition. Better than Thornton, Simmonds and Galchenyuk at least.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Smort

 

[Isles72]

I thought the leafs had a solid projected lineup without needing any long shot camp invites crowding the rink.

 

[ottomaddox]

This PTO situation could be the most lucrative, triumphant, elite, omnific, and composite signing the league has ever seen.

Or

He might get cut after one week.








It could go either way really.

 

[Goal Caufield50]

Smart signing, keep Ritchie outta the top 6 and give this guy with actual offensive skills those mins.
Oilers should've done this to upgrade their rw.

Better Panerin?. Lol lol he is on a PTO!!!!

 

[Mogo]

Coach Q is the last coach you want for a player like this. You need a young, lenient coach who will give him time to settle in. Like Keefe.

Why? He needs a coach that will let lazy players just drift around?

 

[Mugzy97]

My point is if Kase played a more reserved game he’d probably be healthier.

He also probably wouldn’t have made the NHL

How did he do after that?

Well he only played 31 games for 2 different teams so tough to prove much with that

 

[Archijerej]

I think the legendary Leafs player development system will resurrect him, as it did with Galchenyuk.

 

[TMLisSRYinGerman]

Better Panerin?. Lol lol he is on a PTO!!!!

You know sarcasm?

 

[LeafChief]

People are going to crap on this but Gusev could potentially be the best PP forward outside of the top four guys. (It don’t seem like there are really any strong contenders there, unless rookies come in but I might be missing obvious other guys.)

Gusev really helped the Devils’ lifeless PP in 2019-20 and it got roaring in the last 25 games before the shut down.

It didn’t work out for a couple reasons in 2020-21 but it doesn’t really matter at this point. I really like the guy I hope it works out for him in Toronto, they just need to figure out how to best utilize him. He has a lot of talent.

Just curious as I don't watch much Devils hockey. What changed between his rookie season and sophomore season?

Why the sudden drop in play?

 

[ninetyeight]

He has a good shot, is great in shootouts, good in PP and has some good playmaking/passing abilities.

I think the speed of the game is just too much for him, sometimes makes bad decisions and is a liability defensively.

I guess with the right coaching and team mates he could work out.

 

[hockeyarena]

I hope they sign him so the leafs dressing room is even more of a tire fire.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Gusev is not a bad teammate or a cancer or anything of the sort. He has outrageous puck skills but skates like he's constipated and is actively hurtful in his own zone.

Imagine if Alexi Kovalev had the skating ability of Derian Hatcher. That's Gusev. Good PP option but he can't take a regular shift at ES without harming your team.

 

[KingsFan7824]

This guy's NHL arrival generated so much hype and drama just for him to get PTO's in his 3rd year lol

If you're making your NHL debut in your late 20's, on top of being a 7th rd pick, there's only so much to work with. We're not talking about the Iron Curtain here anymore.

Just like players in general, the NHL isn't easy. The college free agent, the vet from overseas, the odds of them being good are low. The hype is always there though.

 

[al secord]

Nikita you'll never know

 

[cgc83]

Gusev is not a bad teammate or a cancer or anything of the sort. He has outrageous puck skills but skates like he's constipated and is actively hurtful in his own zone.

Imagine if Alexi Kovalev had the skating ability of Derian Hatcher. That's Gusev. Good PP option but he can't take a regular shift at ES without harming your team.

Oh dear , that is just not a place i would prefer to take my imagination to

 

[TGWL]

He's a player that needs to be in a top 6 or he's probably ably not producing much.

 

[Puckclektr]

Gusev is not a bad teammate or a cancer or anything of the sort. He has outrageous puck skills but skates like he's constipated and is actively hurtful in his own zone.

Imagine if Alexi Kovalev had the skating ability of Derian Hatcher. That's Gusev. Good PP option but he can't take a regular shift at ES without harming your team.

Derian Hatcher? Not even close. You are so off with that comparison that you might just be losing all credibility as a fellow Devils fan. I mean, I tend to agree with most of your posts but that was a terrible comparison. He skates more like Kevin Hatcher.

 

[DFC]

Just what they need... a small winger who's gonna get bulldozed in the playoffs.

 

[Nico Hischier]

Hope it works out. I liked gusev he is very skilled and creative and has excellent vision. He might be the slowest skater on Toronto. Last year most of his points came in garbage time