Nikita Gusev Last season, he set a KHL record by scoring 89 points in the regular season, breaking Sergei Mozyakin’s record. This offseason, at the age of 32, he returned to America to observe the market. A move that deserves respect. But in the end, Gusev decided to return to Dynamo Moscow, signing a one-year contract. And now Nikita is training with his teammates at the training camp in Minsk.
columnist talked with Gusev about his somewhat chimerical attempt to conquer the NHL and what he expects from the new season. Although Nikita himself does not agree with the expression “conquer the NHL.”
“A contract for one season is not a problem”
— Nikita, how did you come to the decision to sign a contract with Dynamo Moscow?
– I am very happy to become a Dynamo player again. And I didn’t need to make this decision. I knew that I was ready to play for Dynamo. And if I don’t get an offer in North America that suits me, then I will return to the KHL.
— Why did you sign the contract for only one year? Do you want to try your hand at the NHL again next summer?
— This is not the first time I sign a contract for one season. Because everything in the world changes a lot. This also applies to hockey leagues. If necessary, I will sign the contract again. There is no problem with that. In the summer before the season, I always work myself. And I will be ready no matter what.
“Don’t you feel like you’re knocking on a closed door and no one is waiting for you there?
— I don’t even knock, I just find out every year what the situation is on the NHL free agent market. That’s all. I don’t have a goal to go to the NHL on a two-way contract, as some journalists have written. If there is interest in me, then great. If it’s not there, then no.
— What criteria are you measured by? You are the MVP of our league, you scored 89 points and performed well in the trio with the North Americans.
– This question is not for me. I understand that I am always a player on the first two lines. And in all the clubs in the league, the first 6 are already equipped. That is why it works this way.
— What were the chances this summer? Who did you train with and where?
— I came to New Jersey. He lived pretty much in the same place when he played for the Devils. I’m happy with everything there. I thank New Jersey for giving me the chance to train in their arena. In that respect, everything was good. Next to me were the Devils guys, there were the strength and conditioning coaches and these mentors who work with the players on the ice during the season. I knew everyone and I felt comfortable joining the team.
– Did you include good physics?
– Yes, of course. I know what I need. And I know what to work on.
— Is it true that you had an option with Utah?
– I have now decided to play for Dynamo. It makes no sense to discuss what conversations I had, with whom and about what.
— What do you say to those who say that your style is absolutely not suited to the NHL?
– Everyone can discuss whatever they want. Nobody forbids it, right? Every journalist can write whatever they want. I will not comment on that. That’s how it is.
“Imagine I pay for a test of the North American market.”
— “Dynamo” has become very strong this summer. What can you say about the arrival of Slepyshev, Comtois and Miska?
— I can’t say anything specific about the new arrivals yet. Anton and I have known each other for a long time; we played together at the Olympics. He is a good player, he will help Dynamo. Well, Comtois and Miska have not yet arrived. Now let’s meet, talk and work together.
— Do you agree that in the last playoffs you were paralyzed by the goaltending problem?
“I think I shouldn’t ask that question.” As for me, if we lost, we had problems. Whether it was in defense, with the goalie or in attack, the fact is that we didn’t work together to achieve the desired result. I wouldn’t want to put all the blame on someone.
— Your salary is about 70 million rubles. Despite the fact that the most expensive player in the league has 120 million, you are the MVP. Can we say that you sacrifice money to play in a big club? The Dynamo director said: “Gusev made concessions to strengthen our team.”
– In any case, I come to Dynamo, and we have only the highest goals. Your personal self should not always come first.
— Don’t you think that if you took the contract in the spring, you could get 100 million rubles?
– Anything is possible. But I choose this path. I stick to my position. If it means paying to monitor the North American market, I am ready to do it.
“I would like to play at the Milan Olympics”
— American journalists recently included you in the virtual list of the Russian national team for the Olympic Games. Does this make you happy?
— The Olympics have a special atmosphere, it’s very nice to play there. Therefore, of course, I would participate in any Olympic Games. Including the one that will take place in Milan in 2026.
— What do you think about the news that they want to make a feature film about the gold medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics?
– It’s very interesting. Am I ready to play a role in it? We’ll see how it goes. But the idea is very interesting.
— Is it important for you to know who will play the role of Nikita Gusev?
– Absolutely not.
— Did you meet your friend Nikita Kucherov in America?
— We didn’t meet because we were far from each other. Everyone has children. That’s why we communicate by phone. If we need to, we’ll call each other and talk. It was the same this summer. We called, talked and discussed the most interesting topics.
— What did Kucherov say about your upcoming attempt to conquer the NHL?
– We haven’t discussed it. We have enough other topics. And I don’t agree with the expression “conquer the NHL”. Why am I conquering this league? I just go to the market and see if there is a place for me. This is not some kind of conquest. I’m going to find out if a team in the league needs me in this situation, if they are interested in me.
— Do you think that if Kuch ever goes to the KHL, will he choose SKA or will he still decide to play with you on the same line?
– You shouldn’t think too much. Everything changes, different opportunities arise. If it turns out that Nikita and I end up in the same team, it will be very nice to play with him again. But we’ll see how it goes.
— Will our league be strengthened by the return of Evgeniy Kuznetsov? He will be your competitor for the title of top scorer, and that means a lot of money.
— First of all, I think about the team, and personal achievements come second. But I still like playing against Peter. If Zhenya is there, it will be doubly interesting.
— Do you agree that the KHL is catching up with the NHL in terms of level of play?
— I don’t agree with the opinion that the NHL is a different sport. But there are many nuances between the two leagues. I think we shouldn’t compare them.
— Who will win the Stanley Cup?
“I won’t even think about it.”
— You don’t follow the league?
— I know the NHL and I know who plays where. But I’m not a fortune teller.
— What place will Dynamo Moscow take?
— Our task is to win every match that Dynamo plays.
— Especially in the playoffs.
— Actually, every game. That’s it. If you’re on the ice, you have to win. That’s the task of the season.
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Source : MatchTV
I’m Emma Smith, a dedicated journalist and avid storyteller. I have been writing for news websites for the past 5 years, reporting on hockey news and delivering in-depth analysis of the sport. In my current role as Author at Athletistic, I write about hockey events from around the world to keep followers up-to-date with what’s happening in the sport.
