Matt Ross: Florida Signs Gusev 1 Year / $1M

Let's hope a change of scenery is what the Dr. ordered for the Goose.
He just never fit in Ruff's style of play and regressed this season.

At 1year, 1M I think it is a low risk, high reward for Florida. If he becomes a 3rd line winger or better the reward is paid off.

Let's hope a change of scenery is what the Dr. ordered for the Goose.
He just never fit in Ruff's style of play and regressed this season.

At 1year, 1M I think it is a low risk, high reward for Florida. If he becomes a 3rd line winger or better the reward is paid off.
- Devils Advocate

Hope things go better for Goose. Seemed like a great guy with a lot of skill. If he gets going he can really contribute. No idea why it was such a disaster this year for him.

Wow! Gusev? Some GMs never learn, Colossal waste of money.

Let's hope a change of scenery is what the Dr. ordered for the Goose.
He just never fit in Ruff's style of play and regressed this season.

At 1year, 1M I think it is a low risk, high reward for Florida. If he becomes a 3rd line winger or better the reward is paid off.
- Devils Advocate

Thanks for chiming in, Devils Advocate. I’m a believer in changes of scenery, so we’ll see what he can do!

Hope things go better for Goose. Seemed like a great guy with a lot of skill. If he gets going he can really contribute. No idea why it was such a disaster this year for him.
- Queenie_5_hole

Thanks, Queenie. Nice to hear there’s some skill there that can hopefully be “unlocked” for a new team.

Thanks, Queenie. Nice to hear there’s some skill there that can hopefully be “unlocked” for a new team.
- Matt Ross

Good Luck the rest of the way. It’s nice to see the Panthers playing such good hockey and having a fun year.

Devils had several players break out this year including Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood. Goose struggled. It might be because Ruff’s system is based on speed, but I’m honestly baffled. But last year it was fun watching Nikita tee up really accurate shots and fool goalies with his stick work.

Good Luck the rest of the way. It’s nice to see the Panthers playing such good hockey and having a fun year.

Devils had several players break out this year including Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood. Goose struggled. It might be because Ruff’s system is based on speed, but I’m honestly baffled. But last year it was fun watching Nikita tee up really accurate shots and fool goalies with his stick work.
- Queenie_5_hole

Awesome. I’ve always enjoyed your insight/comments when you visit the Florida board.

I think the Devils are doing the right things and will be competitive in a couple years - a lot of young guys taking the next step - like you said.

Not to mention...the Christmas tree sweater (both the original and Reverse Retro version) is one of my top favorite jerseys of all time.

I'm pulling for The Goose to make it in the NHL. His problem is he doesn't skate particular well (not that fast). He kind of reminds me of Robbie Schremp who's a player with great handles (maybe not as good as Schremp), smaller, not that physical and not a lot of speed. He fell out of favor in NJ because Ruff went with mostly a "faster" line-up that fore-checks with some physicality and he looked out of place. Hopefully a new team will use him wisely and play him with "skilled" players who can utilize his own skill. Good Luck!!

I’ve read comments that gusev is slow at other sites, and now see more of the same here from Devils fans. But Zito’s press release mentions he plays the game with great speed... makes me wonder exactly what speed he is referring to. Also reading here it may have been he didn’t click in with Ruff’s desire to play fast....well, Q always talks about playing with “pace”. I guess we’ll see how this goes, hopefully he does well.

I don’t think this means anything as far as Duclair (beyond he may be out injured for a while longer), Marchment can go down to third or fourth line, Lomberg probably odd man out now. Duclair still will be in top 6, if not right back to Barkov’s line.
Maybe it’s just me, but, the Panthers seem to always underestimate the time a player will be out with injury.

While the Panthers are in Dallas waiting for Tuesday’s rematch of yesterday’s fiasco, the Stars are in Nashville playing the Preds tonight.

Edit: maybe Gusev would work on line 2 with Huberdeau, if he can play RW. Horny goes to line 3.

I’ve read comments that gusev is slow at other sites, and now see more of the same here from Devils fans. But Zito’s press release mentions he plays the game with great speed... makes me wonder exactly what speed he is referring to. Also reading here it may have been he didn’t click in with Ruff’s desire to play fast....well, Q always talks about playing with “pace”. I guess we’ll see how this goes, hopefully he does well.

I don’t think this means anything as far as Duclair (beyond he may be out injured for a while longer), Marchment can go down to third or fourth line, Lomberg probably odd man out now. Duclair still will be in top 6, if not right back to Barkov’s line.
Maybe it’s just me, but, the Panthers seem to always underestimate the time a player will be out with injury.

While the Panthers are in Dallas waiting for Tuesday’s rematch of yesterday’s fiasco, the Stars are in Nashville playing the Preds tonight.
- Ratsreign

I hear you. The speed comments seem to be consistent, Rats. I’m OK with that because it reminds me of Hornqvist in a way. Everyone said he was so slow and couldn’t keep up, but he’s used his strengths nicely (going to the front of the net).

I wonder if Goose will be the same way? Sure, he might be slow, but may make up for it in different ways with different skills.

I'm pulling for The Goose to make it in the NHL. His problem is he doesn't skate particular well (not that fast). He kind of reminds me of Robbie Schremp who's a player with great handles (maybe not as good as Schremp), smaller, not that physical and not a lot of speed. He fell out of favor in NJ because Ruff went with mostly a "faster" line-up that fore-checks with some physicality and he looked out of place. Hopefully a new team will use him wisely and play him with "skilled" players who can utilize his own skill. Good Luck!!
- Gambi99

Thanks for chiming in, Gambi99! Looking forward to seeing what he does on this squad.

I’m OK with the speed, or lack of it, because I’m wondering if he’ll bring other strengths to Florida.

Low risk, high reward seems to be the panthers mission statement. I would have preferred giving a 1st and a 4th for nick foligno all day, everyday.

I hear you. The speed comments seem to be consistent, Rats. I’m OK with that because it reminds me of Hornqvist in a way. Everyone said he was so slow and couldn’t keep up, but he’s used his strengths nicely (going to the front of the net).

I wonder if Goose will be the same way? Sure, he might be slow, but may make up for it in different ways with different skills.
- Matt Ross

Lol, funny you should say this Matt, see my edit above.
Gusev with Hubie, who plays “slower” than does Barky with Verhaeghe. Barkov is a beast this year, and I think part of that is the higher pace at which Barky, V, and Duclair play. I don’t want to see Gusev slowing that line down.

Thanks for chiming in, Gambi99! Looking forward to seeing what he does on this squad.

I’m OK with the speed, or lack of it, because I’m wondering if he’ll bring other strengths to Florida.
- Matt Ross

Yes. his greatest strengths are stick-handling, good hockey IQ plus he's a very good passer and has a sneaky shot. He has some good strengths it's just the Devils don't really play a "skilled" game because of our players we have now and the system Ruff plays which is an attacking style. Florida does have a very skilled team so he might fit in well there with other skilled players.

Low risk, high reward seems to be the panthers mission statement. I would have preferred giving a 1st and a 4th for nick foligno all day, everyday.
- harveykline

With Ekblad out, it may not be the worst approach. Foligno would’ve been a nice addition, though.

Yes. his greatest strengths are stick-handling, good hockey IQ plus he's a very good passer and has a sneaky shot. He has some good strengths it's just the Devils don't really play a "skilled" game because of our players we have now and the system Ruff plays which is an attacking style. Florida does have a very skilled team so he might fit in well there with other skilled players.
- Gambi99

Does he play RW?

Lol, funny you should say this Matt, see my edit above.
Gusev with Hubie, who plays “slower” than does Barky with Verhaeghe. Barkov is a beast this year, and I think part of that is the higher pace at which Barky, V, and Duclair play. I don’t want to see Gusev slowing that line down.
- Ratsreign

It will be interesting to see where he slots in.

Low risk, high reward seems to be the panthers mission statement. I would have preferred giving a 1st and a 4th for nick foligno all day, everyday.
- harveykline

I hear you, Harv. There’s still some time, so let’s see if they do something more along those lines.

Are gusev and montour heading to dallas or straight to Florida?

Does he play RW?
- Ratsreign

He did for the Devils. I believe he played mostly LW in the KHL but the Devils had plenty of left-shooting left-wingers so they put him on the right side with his right shot last year and he played pretty well there as the season went on.

Are gusev and montour heading to dallas or straight to Florida?
- Shynes57

I know Wallberg/Carlsson are slated to be in for the TBL series, so I’m curious when Goose and Montour get in. Tomorrow?

I think Gusev is a great replacement for Dadanov.

I think Gusev is a great replacement for Dadanov.
- TheUltimateJet

Based on what?

Sam Bennett to the Panthers. No word on what's going the other way