NHL Rumors: Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks and the Colorado Avalanche
Could the Vancouver Canucks look to trade up to draft defenseman Bowen Byram?
Image from the Vancouver Giants

 

Gusev looking to join the Golden Knights

Igor Eronko: Heard that Nikita Gusev is looking to join the Vegas Golden Knights for their playoffs.

Darren Dreger: Gusev’s KHL contract runs through the end of April. His agent JP Barry, CAA Sports and his Russian agent are working on getting his release from SKA.

Cap Friendly: “If signed, Nikita Gusev would be an EL SA 27 who’s coming over from the KHL. Meaning he’d qualify for a 1 year ELC with . However, because Gusev will only turn 27 after June 30 (born on July 8), he would still be a Restricted Free Agent when his contract expires on July 1.”

Aivis Kalnins: Confirmed that Gusev and his reps are looking to get out of KHL contract early. SKA management doesn’t appear eager to release him.

Jesse Granger: The Golden Knights are not commenting on the report that Gusev could be heading to over to join them.

Jesse Granger: Golden Knights GM Gerard Gallant said that he doesn’t know much about Gusev and the first he had heard that he might be joining them was yesterday morning.

Gallant added that he hopes Gusev can join the team and get in some practices.

Chris Chapman: Galland on Gusev: “There’s some reports out there and we’ll see what happens.”

Gallant adds “I hope he joins us.”

Markstrom’s agent on an extension … Could the Canucks trade up for Byram?

Rick Dhaliwal: Pat Morris, the agent for Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom, on a potential contract extension this offseason: “I have had discussions with Jacob and he calls Vancouver home. He would like to be apart of it long term that’s where his instructions will lean, to try and get something done.”

Rick Dhaliwal: Morris continues on Markstrom: “It takes 2 to get a deal done, it takes term and it takes dollars. The player has to be willing and Jacob has enjoyed his time in Vancouver and wants it to continue.”

TSN Radio Vancouver: Jason Botchford on the Canucks trading up to draft defenseman Bowen Byram:

“I think it’s intriguing. The have shown a lot of interest in him. And the teams that showed the most interest this year are the Devils and the Rangers..but they’re going 1, 2.

I know there are scouts who not only think he’s the clear-cut best defenceman, but there are also scouts who think he can play next year. People said the same thing about Quinn Hughes.

Four is the the spot. Because Colorado has been interested in Hutton in the past, and they need left-side D.. Whether it’s Hutton or Juolevi, and throw Demko in as the sweetener.”