NHL Trade Rumors: 5 teams that should trade for Nikita Gusev

NHL Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Nikita Gusev

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA - MAY 26, 2019: Russia's Nikita Gusev reacts as he scores a goal during a penalty shootout in the 2019 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Bronze medal match against the Czech Republic at Ondrej Nepela Arena. The Russian team won the game 3-2 in penalty shootout. Alexander Demianchuk/TASS (Photo by Alexander DemianchukTASS via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images /

Florida Panthers

Currently, the Florida Panthers have about $5.6 million of cap space with 17 players signed. So they’d have to get a little bit creative to make room for Gusev. But after the Panthers lost out on signing Artemi Panarin, he would be a really nice consolation prize for them.

It’s worth noting Florida has Dadonov, who is friends with Gusev. They both played for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. Dadonov has made the same transition Gusev will have to make and could be a valuable mentor for him.

That’s why I think the Panthers will at least call Vegas about Gusev. Also, Dale Tallon is a bold general manager who wants to win now. Gusev would help the Panthers win immediately. He’d give them one of the best playmakers and biggest offensive threats in the world.

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Now, how are they going to make room? Perhaps a Mike Hoffman trade would make sense? Hoffman is a terrific player, but he’s not a sure thing to stick around long-term in Florida. He has one year left on his current deal with a $5.1875 million cap hit.

If the Panthers were to shop Hoffman, they’d get a very good return. Goal scorers are hard to find in today’s NHL and Hoffman is one of the better ones. Again, this would be a tough fit, but a logical one if the Panthers want to make up for missing out on Panarin.

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