New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Likely On Trade Block Already

Nikita Gusev

Speaking of wasted value, Nikita Gusev’s value has to be at its lowest point since he was taken in the 7th round of the 2012 NHL Draft. He’s another player that The Fourth Period says hasn’t started extension talks with the Devils. That’s not surprising after how the season started. Gusev has five points this season. Both of his goals came in the final minutes of play with the game already decided, and he added an assist on Miles Wood goal with 12 seconds left on Tuesday. The team was still losing and the point was basically pointless.

The Devils might be able to convince teams that Gusev’s numbers are on the way up. Technically, he has four points in his last six games. He’s replaced Nico Hischier on his line after he went out with an injury. The Devils are playing him on the “first” line with Pavel Zacha and Jesper Bratt, at least for now.

Gusev is someone who just never seemed to fit on the Devils. He’s clearly talented, but the Devils aren’t using him in a way that works. That seems to be hurting him confidence on the ice, and he hasn’t produced like the team hoped when they traded for the former KHL MVP last season.

These things happen. Gusev was the piece that had this fanbase as excited for this team as ever. The acquisition felt like the “final piece”, but after P.K. Subban didn’t work out and Jack Hughes needed a year to be ready for primetime, the entire team last year was a mess. This is obviously an extremely young team, but Gusev should have fit on paper. He’s struggled on the scoresheet, and he’s making rookie mistakes.

A team will take Gusev. Is he worth a 2nd-round pick to someone? Hopefully, but it’s not entirely likely. Gusev might be better served being traded for a prospect that’s on the cusp. Someone like a Nick Merkley or another prospect that needs a revival.