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

By Dave Stevenson

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)
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 Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are in an interesting situation. They have lost three excellent players in Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Matt Duchene. It’s likely the Blue Jackets will also lose Ryan Dzingel.

General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen has proven he’s not afraid to do unconventional things. You can’t help but respect the guy for having the courage to bet on his team and add Dzingel, Duchene, and others at the 2019 trade deadline. He bet on his team and lost, but you’ve got to admire him for that.

Kekalainen has to find a way to keep the Blue Jackets competitive despite losing Panarin, who is one of the best in the world at what he does. Gusev would be a very solid replacement for him. He’s not quite the goal scorer that Panarin is, but he has a similar playing style. Gusev thinks three moves ahead of everyone else and uses his creativity to set up teammates.

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The main problem is this – what exactly can the Blue Jackets do for the Golden Knights to get Gusev? After all, Columbus mortgaged a fair bit of their immediate future at the deadline. Well, the Blue Jackets could offer to take on David Clarkson‘s contract. He’s due just $1 million in base salary but has a $5.25 million cap hit for the 2019-20 season. Ironically, the Blue Jackets used to have his contract before shipping it to Vegas in the expansion draft.

With 20 players signed (12 forwards, 6 defensemen, and two goalies), the Blue Jackets still have over $17 million of cap space. They can definitely afford to take on Clarkson’s deal. This could help them acquire Panarin’s replacement in Gusev. It would be thinking outside the box, but Kekalainen has proven he’s open to doing that. If the Blue Jackets want to contend without Panarin, Gusev is someone they should acquire.

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