Gusev's contract, possible exchange of Tarasenko and negotiations with Kaprizov: how Russian stars approach the NHL season

Chance for Gusev

The current Olympic champion Nikita Gusev does not abandon his attempts to gain a foothold in the National Hockey League. For the past few months, the Russian striker has been in free agent status, but for one reason or another he could not find a new team. As a result, Toronto Maple Leafs expressed their interest in the forward and signed a trial contract with him. This was announced by the well-known portal Cap Friendly.

The signing of such an agreement can be attributed to several factors. Perhaps Toronto is not completely sure that Gusev suits them and will be able to benefit in the future. And this is not surprising, given Nikita's recent results in the NHL. He started last season at New Jersey, but was unable to fit into the game of new head coach Lindy Ruff, as a result of which he was put up for draft refusals. As an unrestricted free agent, he went to Florida, but there, too, he did not convince the leadership of his solvency. As a result, in 31 regular season matches, he scored only 10 (4 + 6) points and again found himself without a club.

The athlete himself has repeatedly stated his desire to stay in the NHL, but with the approach of the start of the 2021/22 season, his departure to his homeland seemed more and more likely. The fact of negotiations with the player was also confirmed by SKA CEO Roman Rotenberg. At the end of August, he said that the club "is in dialogue with Nikita," and also admitted that the team is counting on his return before the Olympic season. And this despite the fact that for the sake of continuing his career overseas, Gusev was ready to lower salary requirements. Over the past two years, he has earned a total of $ 10 million.

In general, in terms of style, Maple Leafs suits Gusev much more than New Jersey and Florida.

The only question is whether he will be able to successfully prove himself during the training camp, and then withstand the competition for a place in the composition.

The Canadian team is seriously staffed, and for the place of the left forward, he will have to compete with Nick Ritchie, Alexander Kerfoot, Michael Bunting and Wayne Simmonds - not the most star hockey players, but still pretty strong performers.

In the last championship, only the last of them scored fewer points (7 + 2) than Gusev, and the first two overcame the bar of 20 points.

Tarasenko's intention

It is possible that soon the team may be replaced by another Russian hockey player. True, if Gusev found himself in this position due to the end of the contract and the lack of interest from the club, then in the case of Tarasenko the situation is different. Vladimir has been the leader of St. Louis for many years, and in 2019 helped the club win the Stanley Cup for the first time in history. However, now there are rumors that the striker wants to try himself in a new place.

Back in July, it became known that Tarasenko turned to the Blues management with a request to exchange him for another club. According to The Athletic, the striker has provided a list of more than ten teams to which he would be ready to move. Among them were Tampa Bay, Washington, Boston, Vegas, Rangers and Islanders. Perhaps, "St. Louis" would be happy to consider other options, but the last word remained with the player, because his contract contains the NTC clause (No-trade clause). According to him, Vladimir has the right to veto any transition if he is not satisfied with it.

Tarasenko himself did not explain to the media why he decided to leave St. Louis, in which he spent the last nine years. But, judging by the rumors, there could be several of them. It was reported that the hockey player blamed the club doctors for two unsuccessful surgeries that did not contribute to solving his shoulder problems, and also had a conflict with several teammates. Confirmation of this could be the situation with the appointment of Ryan O'Reilly as captain, which Vladimir took painfully.

However, over the past few months, the forward exchange has not been carried out. It was said about Washington's readiness to take Tarasenko, providing Evgeny Kuznetsov as compensation, as well as his possible transfer to the Seattle Kraken as part of the expansion draft, but all this remained at the level of rumors. It is possible that one of the reasons was Tarasenko's health. According to Sportsnet insider Elliott Friedman, some teams were unhappy with the state of the Russian's shoulder, on which three operations were carried out in three years. Perhaps the athlete's big contract played a role - $ 7.5 million a year until the end of the 2022/23 season.

Therefore, the option under which Tarasenko will remain in the Blues is being discussed more and more.

Earlier, general manager Doug Armstrong spoke about this, and then head coach Craig Beruby expressed his readiness to continue working with the striker.

“I intend to treat him like any other hockey player.

Yes, he asked for an exchange, it happens, but I repeat once again that we want Vladi to play hockey with us.

He has always had a specific role in the team.

We will figure it out with each other and move on, "- quoted by the press service of the NHL Berubi.

In turn, O'Reilly admitted that he personally spoke with Tarasenko.

And he got the impression that the Russian intends to continue playing for the Blues.

“We are preparing to win matches, and he takes part in it like any other hockey player.

I spoke briefly with Vladi.

He is on the team and, as it seemed to me, wants to be here.

Yes, he asked for an exchange, it was.

I think we are stronger with him, we have an excellent composition depth.

No hard feelings, ”concluded O'Reilly.

Uncertainty Kaprizov

The story continues with the conclusion of a new contract between Minnesota and the current winner of the prize for the best NHL rookie - Calder Trophy.

Less than a month remains before the start of the 2021/22 regular season, but Kirill Kaprizov still cannot reach an agreement with the club.

“The hockey player acts as he sees fit.

And his position must be treated with respect, which I do.

I respect Kirill and do not think that something out of the ordinary is happening.

The question now is, "When can we close the deal," said Wilde general manager Bill Guerin.

Over the past month, the press has repeatedly reported that the Russian striker has practically reached an agreement with the team, but an agreement has not yet been concluded.

And if Kaprizov does not sign a new contract in the next few days, he risks missing the start of the training camp.

As far as we know, Minnesota will begin preparations for the new season on 23 September.

“You know my story.

My contract negotiations dragged on twice, and both times nothing good came of it.

Some of our players missed training camps and started the season in a bad way.

They lagged behind the others.

I know from experience that this is not the best option, ”Guerin admitted.

Initially, it was reported that the parties could not reach a consensus due to disputes over the length of the contract.

“Minnesota” expectedly wanted to sign a long-term agreement with the hockey player for a period of seven to eight years, while he, on the contrary, expected to stay in the team until 2024, after which to enter the free agent market.

At the same time, the salary remained at about the same level - about $ 9 million.

Subsequently, information repeatedly appeared that the club was ready to make concessions.

In mid-August, it was said about the intention to offer Kaprizov a contract for six years, and at the end - for five.

This was confirmed by the journalist Michael Russo, according to whom, only a few formalities remained to be settled.

But, apparently, this information did not correspond to reality.

“Now the negotiations are going rather sluggishly, but I cannot say that this is a cause for concern.

There are many other clubs that also cannot agree with very good players.

So I'm not worried ... You need to be able to pause.

We are not the only ones in this situation.

There is a player, he also reacts in a certain way, this situation affects everyone, but in different ways.

This is a very difficult process that can sometimes drag on, ”added Guerin.