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

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