Man of the Week: Nikita Gusev

KHL.ru’s weekly column ‘Man of the Week’ goes on with Nikita Gusev. The productive Dynamo Moscow forward has established a record for the most points in a KHL regular season, surpassing Sergei Mozyakin.

As the saying goes, records are made to be broken. Sergei Mozyakin’s record stood for five seasons as the then Metallurg forward had an incredible 85 points in just 60 regular season games. However, this year Nikita Gusev was nothing short of phenomenal, as he surpassed Mozyakin’s record-breaking season with an assist in Saturday’s Dynamo win over Admiral in OT. With the teams tied at three, Gusev sent the puck to Jordan Weal, who sent it home for another win by the Blue-and-Whites with the players hasting to collect the puck for the forward’s rightful celebration.

Born on July 8, 1992, in Moscow, Russia, Gusev’s journey in the sport has been marked by significant achievements both domestically and internationally. He started his path at the Belye Medvedi school in Moscow, playing side to side with superstar Nikita Kucherov – the chemistry between the two is internationally known.

Gusev first made waves in the KHL and with the junior national team. He started demonstrating his exceptional skills while playing for several teams in his early career, especially with Amur and Yugra. His prowess on the ice earned him recognition, notably clinching the esteemed Golden Stick award for KHL’s MVP during the 2017–2018 season with SKA, when he had 71 (24+47) points for the St. Petersburg franchise. Gusev's adept playmaking abilities and scoring finesse positioned him as a formidable presence, leading the league in assists on two occasions and securing a notable 81 points in the 2018–2019 season, placing him second in KHL history for single-season points – until now.

Beyond his domestic success, Gusev has made significant contributions on the international stage, notably capturing Olympic Gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics and aiding Russia to a silver medal finish in 2022. In particular, Gusev tied the finals against Team Germany at three with less than a minute to go – with Russia killing a penalty – and served a perfect saucer pass to Kirill Kaprizov in OT to win it all. He ended the Olympics as the tournament’s top scorer with 12 points.

In the NHL, Gusev’s talents garnered attention, leading to his selection by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Although his immediate entry into the league was delayed, Gusev eventually made his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils in 2019, signing a substantial two-year contract reflective of the high expectations placed upon him.

However, Gusev’s impact transcends mere statistics. His innate creativity, exceptional playmaking skills, and unwavering passion for the game have solidified his legacy as a dynamic force on the ice, earning him the moniker of a true Russian dynamo. With now the Gagarin Cup playoffs approaching, he and the Blue-and-Whites have an exceptional chance to increase their respective hardware collection. The forward has only lifted the Gagarin Cup once – unusual for a player of his stature – and he may now help Dynamo getting to three triumphs.