New Jersey Devils: 5 Teams That Should Be In On Nikita Gusev

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are an intriguing partner for the Devils. They have some prospects who are at the end of their rope, and the Devils could be willing to give them a shot in their system. Meanwhile, the Panthers could use a dynamic playmaker to go in their bottom six. Most of their points come from the top six (duh), but the bottom six leaves a ton to be desired. Frank Vatrano and Anthony Duclair are the only ones with double-digit points in the group.

Gusev would allow the Panthers to have more leeway with the forward group. Right now, the team is reliant on young wingers like Owen Tippett, who only has seven points this season, and Mason Marchmant, who has six. The Panthers could use another body.

Gusev hasn’t been scoring at all this season, but maybe under the tutelage of Joel Quenneville, he can revive his NHL career. The Panthers are currently tied for first place in the Central Division. They are going to be in a dog fight with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes in the second half of the season. The Cats can make the money work, and they have all of their draft picks this year plus an extra 7th rounder.

Gusev isn’t going to be much more for the Panthers than an extra piece that could turn into something. However, if Gusev has a similar second half to what he had last season, he will be an important secondary scorer down the stretch.