RELEASE: Devils Acquire Gusev From Vegas

NEWARK, NJ - The New Jersey Devils today acquired left wing Nikita Gusev from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for New Jersey's third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and the club's second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Additionally, the club has agreed to terms with the restricted free agent on a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4,500,000. The contract breakdown is as follows: 2019-20: $5,000,000 and 2020-21: $4,000,000; The announcement was made by New Jersey Devils Executive Vice President/General Manager Ray Shero.

The 5-11, 180lb., forward has spent his entire professional playing career in the KHL, playing for Amur Khabarovsk (2012-2013), Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk (2013-2016) and SKA St. Petersburg (2016-19) during his seven-season career. A veteran of 391 career regular-season KHL games, Gusev has totaled 119 goals and 213 assists for 332 points with 64 penalty minutes. He's added 28 goals and 40 assists for 68 points in 67 career KHL Playoff contests, winning the Gagarin Cup in 2017.
Gusev has represented his home country of Russia in multiple international competitions, including the 2012 World Junior Championships, 2017 World Championships and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. During the 2017 World Championships, Gusev captured the Bronze Medal and posted the most goals during the tournament. At the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, Gusev helped lead Russia to winning the Gold Medal, recording four goals and eight assists for 12 points in six games played. His assist and point totals led all skaters. Born on July 8, 1992, he was Tampa Bay's eighth selection, 202nd overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft.